1944·Drama·1h 41m
7.0
★
Jan-Erik Widgren meets the lonely Bertha Olsson, a woman struggling with alcoholism. Though Bertha is already linked to Caligula, Jan-Erik's heartless teacher, she begins a relationship with the boy anyway. When Caligula learns that Jan-Erik is having an affair with Bertha, he begins to torture his student psychologically. He reserves his cruelest behavior for Bertha, however, which results in a tragic turn of events.
Directed by Alf Sjöberg
melancholy
teacher
school teacher
strict teacher
torment
schoolmaster
schoolboy
latin teacher
absurd
dramatic
IMDB
N/A
Cast
Stig Järrel
Caligula
Alf Kjellin
Jan-Erik Widgren
Mai Zetterling
Bertha Olsson
Olof Winnerstrand
Headmaster
Gösta Cederlund
Pippi
Hugo Björne
Dr. Nilsson
Olav Riégo
Mr. Widgren
Märta Arbin
Mrs. Widgren
Jan Molander
Pettersson
Gunnar Björnstrand
Teacher
Birger Malmsten
Kreutz, student
Stig Olin
Sandman, student
Crew
Alf Sjöberg
Director
Ingmar Bergman
Writer
Hilding Rosenberg
Original Music Composer
Oscar Rosander
Editor
Martin Bodin
Director of Photography
Harald Molander
Producer
Victor Sjöström
Producer
Mimmi Törnqvist-Zedell
Costume Designer
Arne Åkermark
Production Design
Gösta Ström
Unit Manager
Ingmar Bergman
Assistant Director
Gaston Cornelius
Sound
Popular Reviews
21 reviews
Federico Lynch
9.0★ · 05/14/26
Was excited to watch this as this was bergman's first script and he was also an assistant director for this one. More straightforward than his films but you could see some similarities.
Loved the film, a timeless piece which feels relatable even now. A student who doesn't fit in, a system that is too abusive of students and a teacher who mistakes fear for love. Though it has some negatives I liked it too much to care about those.
Loved the film, a timeless piece which feels relatable even now. A student who doesn't fit in, a system that is too abusive of students and a teacher who mistakes fear for love. Though it has some negatives I liked it too much to care about those.
Was excited to watch this as this was bergman's first script and he was also an assistant director for this one. More straightforward than his films but you could see some similarities.
Loved the film, a timeless piece which feels relatable even now. A student who doesn't fit in, a system that is too abusive of students and a teacher who mistakes fear for love. Though it has some negatives I liked it too much to care about those.
Loved the film, a timeless piece which feels relatable even now. A student who doesn't fit in, a system that is too abusive of students and a teacher who mistakes fear for love. Though it has some negatives I liked it too much to care about those.
Dylan S
6.0★ · 11/11/25
Does anyone like the Latin teacher? It’s suspect him being in the home with the dead person. Personally found this movie to be average all around. The actors did an OK job.
Does anyone like the Latin teacher? It’s suspect him being in the home with the dead person. Personally found this movie to be average all around. The actors did an OK job.
Linus Robarth
8.0★ · 11/03/25
”Hey, teacher! Leave them kids alone!”
Väldigt bra studie i auktoritära figurer
Väldigt bra studie i auktoritära figurer
”Hey, teacher! Leave them kids alone!”
Väldigt bra studie i auktoritära figurer
Väldigt bra studie i auktoritära figurer
Jonathan Rönnkvist
6.0★ · 05/18/24
Det väcker en sådan ilska i mig att se den trakasserande gå fri utan konsekvenser. Eller är han verkligen helt befriad ifrån straff? Hur som helst så är han en äcklig och patetisk liten skit vars avsaknad skulle göra Jorden till en bättre plats.
Min första Bergman-film beroende på hur man ser på det.
Min första Bergman-film beroende på hur man ser på det.
Det väcker en sådan ilska i mig att se den trakasserande gå fri utan konsekvenser. Eller är han verkligen helt befriad ifrån straff? Hur som helst så är han en äcklig och patetisk liten skit vars avsaknad skulle göra Jorden till en bättre plats.
Min första Bergman-film beroende på hur man ser på det.
Min första Bergman-film beroende på hur man ser på det.
Adam
7.1★ · 03/10/21
I think I liked this? I need to break it down a bit then I can know for sure:
The clear standout is the writing. I'm not just saying this because it is Ingmar Bergman, but the screenplay is seriously the best part of the film. As someone who takes Latin, I can say that yes, Latin teachers just be like that. I'm kidding. My Latin teacher is one of the best teachers I've ever had the pleasure to learn from. But the dialogue between teacher and students works really well for me.
The direction and camera work fits in just fine. I love the grand shots of the interior of the school and the use of shadows was very effective. Very moody and very on-tone.
But the acting...jeez. The actress who plays Bertha made it so hard to enjoy this film. Her performance is just hard to watch. And for a movie about jealousy and obsession over this girl I had to wonder...why? What made her so great? Even her scene partners had so little chemistry with her. It was rough.
I though it would be a bore and it wasn't really. Some rough patches but overall it is an interesting slice of early Swedish cinema.
The clear standout is the writing. I'm not just saying this because it is Ingmar Bergman, but the screenplay is seriously the best part of the film. As someone who takes Latin, I can say that yes, Latin teachers just be like that. I'm kidding. My Latin teacher is one of the best teachers I've ever had the pleasure to learn from. But the dialogue between teacher and students works really well for me.
The direction and camera work fits in just fine. I love the grand shots of the interior of the school and the use of shadows was very effective. Very moody and very on-tone.
But the acting...jeez. The actress who plays Bertha made it so hard to enjoy this film. Her performance is just hard to watch. And for a movie about jealousy and obsession over this girl I had to wonder...why? What made her so great? Even her scene partners had so little chemistry with her. It was rough.
I though it would be a bore and it wasn't really. Some rough patches but overall it is an interesting slice of early Swedish cinema.
I think I liked this? I need to break it down a bit then I can know for sure:
The clear standout is the writing. I'm not just saying this because it is Ingmar Bergman, but the screenplay is seriously the best part of the film. As someone who takes Latin, I can say that yes, Latin teachers just be like that. I'm kidding. My Latin teacher is one of the best teachers I've ever had the pleasure to learn from. But the dialogue between teacher and students works really well for me.
The direction and camera work fits in just fine. I love the grand shots of the interior of the school and the use of shadows was very effective. Very moody and very on-tone.
But the acting...jeez. The actress who plays Bertha made it so hard to enjoy this film. Her performance is just hard to watch. And for a movie about jealousy and obsession over this girl I had to wonder...why? What made her so great? Even her scene partners had so little chemistry with her. It was rough.
I though it would be a bore and it wasn't really. Some rough patches but overall it is an interesting slice of early Swedish cinema.
The clear standout is the writing. I'm not just saying this because it is Ingmar Bergman, but the screenplay is seriously the best part of the film. As someone who takes Latin, I can say that yes, Latin teachers just be like that. I'm kidding. My Latin teacher is one of the best teachers I've ever had the pleasure to learn from. But the dialogue between teacher and students works really well for me.
The direction and camera work fits in just fine. I love the grand shots of the interior of the school and the use of shadows was very effective. Very moody and very on-tone.
But the acting...jeez. The actress who plays Bertha made it so hard to enjoy this film. Her performance is just hard to watch. And for a movie about jealousy and obsession over this girl I had to wonder...why? What made her so great? Even her scene partners had so little chemistry with her. It was rough.
I though it would be a bore and it wasn't really. Some rough patches but overall it is an interesting slice of early Swedish cinema.