Few directors are brave enough to hold shots of people's faces for a long time. Too often scenes are cut too early for the sake of speed. But Sjostrom is not afraid to let the camera linger on the face of a character allowing the audience time to read the emotions that flitter across the face of the actors.
This leisurely told story combines some fantasy elements into a hard-hitting story that does not flinch from confronting topics (for its day). Victor Sjostrom himself plays the lead role of Ingmar which must have been quite a challenge as he was also directing the film. Harriet Bosse is excellent in the role of Brita although her advanced age at the time of making the film is a negative that jars a little and slightly spoils the quality of her performance.
One cannot help being drawn into the film. The slow speed has a hypnotic effect on the viewer and you find yourself avidly wanting to find out how the story ends. It packs quite an emotional punch. Vale Sjostrom!
