Review of The Virgin Spring (1960) by Dan D — 13 Jun 2009

Bergman orchestrates a scenario of innocence invaded by evil with great silence and simplicity. His trademark chiaroscuro is impactful throughout the lengthy takes and static compositions. After the film descends into tragedy, it evolves into visceral action as Max von Sydow prepares and exacts total vengeance.

Shifting from shocking to exilerating, The Virgin Spring demonstrates the range of emotions that graphic violence can evoke, challenging the ancient tendency of fighting fire with fire. Of course Bergman spends time in the metaphysical, digging at the ideas of God with subtlety rather than frontal brutality as in some of his earlier work.

Overall the film keeps its distance from the grander emotions -- just letting them be-- an effective technique with something already overflowing with drama. Really took my breath away.