Review of The Virgin Spring (1960) by Stephen L — 17 Feb 2012

I've always wanted to see this movie as it is what inspired Wes Craven to make The Last House on the Left. The synopsis is the same. A daughter is brutally raped and murdered, then the attackers seek shelter with the girls family, although they don't know that's who it is.

This film, while not anything remarkable by today's standards, was beautifully filmed, and really captured the harsh life of a family of farmers in 14th century Sweden. Ingmar Bergman seemed to do very well showing how powerful religion was for people cut off from much of the world. Max von Sydow was cast very well as the father and Birgitta Pettersson played a beautiful Karin showing how naive a young virginal sheltered girl may have acted back in the 14th century. There is always a mistrust of people in modern times that I don't think many had back then, especially in more quiet areas, so it's easy to see why she would not suspect something was amiss....until she sees for herself, but by then, it's too late.

Was this film disturbing? I imagine for 1960, it could have been. It was brutal to see both what happened to Karin and just as brutal to see Sydow get his revenge.

I enjoyed this movie but I don't think most would unless they have the same desire I do, which is to watch films to see where other get inspirations.