The Sacrifice (1986)

Synopsis of The Sacrifice

The Sacrifice, director Andrei Tarkovsky's final film, begins in Bergmanesque fashion on a small, remote island, where friends and family gather for drama critic Alexander's (Erland Josephson) birthday celebration. The revelry is interrupted by a radio announcement: World War III has begun, and Mankind is only hours away from utter annihilation. Each of the guests reacts differently to the news: the most dramatic response is Alexander's, who promises God that he'll give up everything he holds dear--including his beloved 6-year-old son -- if war is averted. Allan Edwall, a local mailman with purported mystical powers, offers to intervene with the Creator on Josephson's behalf. The Sacrifice is so dependent upon its visuals and overall mood that any attempt at a detailed synopsis would be woefully inadequate. The willingness of Tarkovsky's protagonist to forego all his possessions may well have sprung from the cancer-ridden director's awareness that he, too, would soon be giving up everything to face his Maker. The Sacrifice won four awards at the Cannes Film Festival, including the Grand Prix. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

246 mins

Director(s):

Andrei Tarkovsky

Writer(s):

Andrei Tarkovsky

Producer(s):

Katinka Farago, Anna-Lena Wibom, Lisbet Gabrielsson

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

PG(Not For Children, Adult Situations, Brief Nudity)

• 1987 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Foreign Language Film
• 1986 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Artistic Contribution
• 1986 - Cannes Film Festival - Special Jury Grand Prix

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