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Scenes from a Marriage (1974)

Scenes from a Marriage (1974)
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Originally created as a six-part series for television, this film -- widely regarded as one of Ingmar Bergman's most powerful later works -- offers a close-up examination of a relationship as it slowly falls apart, and investigates the toll it takes on both parties. Johan and Marianne (Erland Josephson and Liv Ullmann) are a seemingly successful professional couple who have juggled careers as (respectively) a doctor and an attorney with marriage and children; when we first encounter them, they're being interviewed by a television reporter about what makes their marriage a success, an event contrasted by a later meeting with an openly bitter and combative couple (Bibi Andersson and Jan Malmsjö). But things are not always what they seem on the surface, and Johan announces he has become involved with a younger woman. Johan seems to give little thought to the harm he has done to Marianne, while she is devastated by his abandonment of her. After a stay in Europe, Johan returns to Sweden and visits Marianne; eventually, the divorced couple briefly comes together, but the damage done is too severe to mend. Focusing less on narrative than on a deep-focus portrayal of the thoughts and emotions of two characters, Scenes From a Marriage originally ran nearly 300 minutes in its original television edition; Bergman later edited the film to 168 minutes for theatrical release in Europe and North America. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Liv UllmannBibi Andersson, (more)
Director(s):
Ingmar Bergman
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Scenes from a Marriage

Originally created as a six-part series for television, this film -- widely regarded as one of Ingmar Bergman's most powerful later works -- offers a close-up examination of a relationship as it slowly falls apart, and investigates the toll it takes on both parties. Johan and Marianne (Erland Josephson and Liv Ullmann) are a seemingly successful professional couple who have juggled careers as (respectively) a doctor and an attorney with marriage and children; when we first encounter them, they're being interviewed by a television reporter about what makes their marriage a success, an event contrasted by a later meeting with an openly bitter and combative couple (Bibi Andersson and Jan Malmsjö). But things are not always what they seem on the surface, and Johan announces he has become involved with a younger woman. Johan seems to give little thought to the harm he has done to Marianne, while she is devastated by his abandonment of her. After a stay in Europe, Johan returns to Sweden and visits Marianne; eventually, the divorced couple briefly comes together, but the damage done is too severe to mend. Focusing less on narrative than on a deep-focus portrayal of the thoughts and emotions of two characters, Scenes From a Marriage originally ran nearly 300 minutes in its original television edition; Bergman later edited the film to 168 minutes for theatrical release in Europe and North America. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
299 mins

Complete Cast of Scenes from a Marriage


Director(s):
Ingmar Bergman
Writer(s):
Ingmar Bergman
Producer(s):
Lars-Owe CarlbergIngmar Bergman
Scenes from a Marriage Awards:
  • 1974 - Golden Globe - Best Foreign Film
  • 1974 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Foreign Film
  • 1974 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Actress
  • 1974 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Supporting Actress
  • 1974 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Picture
  • 1974 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
  • 1974 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actress
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Member Reviews
 
Terry C.

A devastating look at a marriage unraveling. The length and subject matter didn't sound at all appealing but once I started watching this film I could not stop. Every moment is so masterfully written and acted. Neither party is completely sympathetic or to blame and the cutting honestly with which they treat each other will make you feel like a voyeur in the best way possible. One of the masterworks of Seventies cinema.

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Ann C.

This has to be the most intense, up-close-and-personal film I have ever seen. I decided to revisit it after 3+ decades and watch the longer TV version. Think of Gabriel Byrne's "In Treatment" (which I love) and then crank it up about a dozen times. You are eavesdropping on the dissolution of a marriage--an emotionally ravaging experience. Liv Ullmann and Erland Josephson's powerful portrayals of Marianne and Johan left me spent, just as they did when I saw "Scenes" for the 1st time. Ingmar Bergman has created another film for the ages.

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Geoffrey S.

I find it hard to believe that the screenplay for this miniseries is written without any improvisation. The reality of the situation, the pitfalls, the highs and lows are all on display and the results are devastating. There are no music cues to signal the audience when things are going to go well or sink to the bottom and that is a relief. One of the best screenplays ever put to paper about the blueprint of a marriage: how a couple can kid themselves that everything is fine just so no waves are made, emotions turn on a dime and leave scars that will never heal, lies are told and retold, accusations fly, secrets creep out of the woodwork.....I could go on and on. The closest thing American cinema has to a masterwork like this is maybe "Kramer vs Kramer". There is no artsy pretense or camera tricks or flashy location photography. What the camera records is whittled down to its primary source- the dissolution of two people who can't stay married but can't quit each other either.

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