Liv Ullmann Movies
Though born a citizen of Norway, Liv Ullmann did not set foot in her homeland until she was seven years old. The daughter of a Norwegian engineer stationed in Japan at the time of her birth, Ullmann moved to Canada when World War II broke out, then relocated to Norway in 1946, where she received the bulk of her education. Deciding upon an acting career, she studied at the Webber-Douglas academy in London. Ullmann began her stage work in Stavanger and Oslo, and in the late '50s, she starred in the Norwegian production of The Diary of Anne Frank.In films from 1959, Ullmann's breakthrough role was catatonic actress Elisabeth Vogler in Ingmar Bergman's Persona (1966), a part she landed primarily because of her striking resemblance to co-star Bibi Andersson. Bergman became Ullmann's mentor and paramour; they lived together for several years, during which time Ullmann bore the director a daughter named Linn Ullmann, who has occasionally appeared in her mother's films. Ullmann was honored with numerous New York Film Critics Awards during the early '70s; she also earned Oscar nominations for her work in The Emigrants (1971) and Bergman's Face to Face (1976), and has received eight honorary college degrees.
An attempt to establish herself in Hollywood films was largely unsuccessful, though Ullmann received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in 40 Carats (1973). She fared rather better on Broadway, starring in a 1977 revival of Anna Christie and a 1979 musical adaptation of I Remember Mama. In 1977, she wrote her memoirs, Changing, prematurely as it turned out, since she had many years' work ahead of her. During the '90s, Ullmann turned to directing, helming the theatrical features Sofie (1992) and Kristin Lauransdotter (1995) (both of which she also scripted), and the 1996 Swedish TV miniseries Enskilda Samtal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Norwegian-born, Montreal-based animator Torill Kove helms the animated short The Danish Poet. The film weaves the tale of a young poet battling a case of severe writer's block. As a last resort, the poet travels to Norway to seek inspiration from an encounter with the Nobel Prize-winning Norwegian novelist Sigrid Undset. Liv Ullmann narrates. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
A long-lost letter transcends time and death in this moving tale of a mother's love and the strength of the human spirit. Days before her death in the Thereseinstadt concentration camp in World War II, Valli Ollendorf writes a heartfelt letter to her young son Ulrich, urging him to have faith in the human spirit and to live a life of love, even in the face of humankind's most unfathomable inhumanity. Lost for 50 years, the letter finally reaches her son when he is 79 years old. The letter would remain a family secret in the years to come, though upon Ulrich's death his family asked the rabbi to read it at his wake and the letter has since had a profound inspirational effect on anyone who has come into contact with it. Join documentarians Dominik and Jakov Sedlar as they investigate this remarkable story. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, Martin Sheen, (more)
This moving, finely-wrought portrayal of legendary cinematographer Sven Nykvist was directed by his son Carl-Gustav Nykvist -- a noted filmmaker himself. Spanning from long forgotten kiddie flick in 1945 to Woody Allen's Celebrity (1997), Nykvist's career came to an abrupt end when he was diagnosed with a rare disorder that affects his speech. Though the film explores Nykvist's upbringing and turbulent private life (an ugly divorce, the suicide of one of his sons, an affair with Mia Farrow), the emotional heart of the film is his celebrated collaboration with auteur Ingmar Bergman, with whom Nykvist made some of his most enduring work, including Winter Light (1962) and Scenes from a Marriage (1973). As Bergman recalls his own career, he notes, "I don't miss making films, but I miss the collaboration with Sven." ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Woody Allen, Bibi Andersson, (more)
- 1997
Originally made for television and directed by distinguished Swedish actress-turned-director Liv Ullman, this provocative drama is a sequel to director-turned-screenwriter Ingmar Bergman's autobiographical Bille August-directed drama Best Intentions (1992). Returning to their roles of Bergman's parents are actors Pernilla August and Samuel Froler; their discussions are divided into five sections that take place over several years beginning on a Sunday in July, 1925 when young Anna Bergman runs into her old friend and mentor Jacob (Max von Sydow) an aged priest. She is obviously distraught about something and soon confesses to him that she has been cheating on her husband Henrik, also a priest, with yet another man of the cloth named Tomas Egerman (Thomas Hanzon). Jacob suggests she immediately end the affair and inform her husband. Several weeks pass and Anna finally heeds Jacob's advice. When her words finally sink in, Henrik becomes angry and begins grilling her for details. Her further confessions make matters worse. The tale then flashes back to Anna's seduction of Tomas, a situation which reveals truths unspoken by Anna in her confessions. The fourth segment of the story is set several years later. Anna visits the now elderly and frail Jacob. The final discussion jumps back to 1907 when the adolescent Anna first met Jacob and this segment reveals a few more truths about the nature of her friendship with Jacob. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
This medieval period drama from Norway is based on Scandinavian-author Sigrid Undset's classic novel. The story is set in Norway's Gudbrandsdal valley during the 14th century. The tale begins when Kristin is 7-years-old and living a peaceful, relatively happy life with her family. It has not always been so happy though, as her parents have already buried three sons and nearly lost Kristin's little sister in a logging accident. Though still quite young, Kristin has been betrothed to marry Simon Darre, a wealthy neighbor's son. Unfortunately, the young girl already prefers the company of Arne to Simon. Time passes and Kristin suffers an attempted rape in the forest. She is confused by the act and asks her family to send her to a convent. Later the young woman sees a handsome knight, Erlend Nikulausson, and falls head-over-heels. Unfortunately, Erlend has more pressing romantic problems trying to deal with his previous lover. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This biography profiles the life and times of early 20th century Swedish painter Anders Zorn who gained notoriety for his nudes. His works are currently worth millions. The film is set in the time when Zorn, already respected for his art, was commissioned to paint a portrait of the Swedish king. Though an excellent painter, Zorn's personal life is dreadful. A boozer and a womanizer who frequently cheats on his wife, Zorn constantly seeks approval for his art. When he travels to the U.S. for a tour he meets Emilie Bartlett the wife of sculptor Paul W. Bartlett with whom he begins a sporadic affair. After Paul commits suicide, Zorn and Emilie move to Sweden. Zorn disregards his wife's feelings and openly displays his affections for Emilie. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gunnar Hellstrom, Linda Kozlowski, (more)
- 1994
This artistically produced Swedish philosophical drama, filmed in black-and-white, is adapted from Strindberg's 1902 play. Using a combination of Biblical reference, classic mythology, and poetry it depicts God's daughter as she reflects upon the state of humanity. Agnes descends from Heaven to survey earthbound mortals about the cause of their pain and sadness. Initially, Agnes is carefree, but she cannot remain unaffected by the surrounding tragedy and becomes more serious. She ends up marrying an impoverished and dour lawyer. They dwell in a claustrophobic cellar with their new baby. The feature film at the local cinema stars Victoria. A frequent movie-goer tells Agnes of his love for the beautiful actress Victoria. He soon gets to meet her. Agnes then meets a dark poet who warns her that if she continues to wade in the morass of human existence the effects upon her may be permanent. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ingvild Holm, Bjorn Willberg Andersen, (more)
- 1992
Award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond made his directorial debut with this drama. Gabor (Michael York), a stage actor living in Eastern Europe, receives a message from his family -- his father Raphael (also played by York), a world-famous archeologist, has just died in Israel. Traveling to the Holy Land to attend the funeral, he meets Katherine (Liv Ullmann), the woman who was married to Raphael at the time of his death, as well as Abu (Babi Neeman), a director who was making a film about the scientist's life and career. Gabor bears a striking resemblance to his father -- so much so that Abu asks him to play Raphael in a small role in his film. Gabor agrees, but playing the role forces him to examine a part of his life that he's been trying to leave alone all these years, and he also finds that Katherine, struck by his resemblance to her late husband, has become strongly attracted to him. The Long Shadow was filmed in part in Hungary, where Zsigmond was born and lived up until fleeing the country in 1956 following the political unrest of the nation's Soviet takeover. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael York, Liv Ullmann, (more)
- 1992
Based on the 1932 novel Mendel Philipsen and Son by Henri Nathansen, Sofie was adapted for the screen by celebrated actress Liv Ullmann, making her directorial debut. Beginning in Copenhagen during the late 1880s, Sofie (Karen-Lise Mynster) is a devoted Jewish daughter who falls in love with the Gentile painter Hojby (Jesper Christensen). Her parents, Semmy (Erland Josephson) and Frederikke (Ghita Nørby), don't approve of the relationship, so they encourage her to marry her mentally ill cousin, a Swedish shopkeeper named Jonas (Torben Zeller). She gives birth to a son, but their already loveless marriage becomes further complicated when Sofie develops an interest in her brother-in-law Gottleib (Stig Hoffmeyer). Jonas is inconsolable after the death of his mother (Kirsten Rolffes), so much so that Sofie has him institutionalized and takes over his business. Years later, Sofie returns to Copenhagen with her son to help her aging parents and attend an auction where she reunites with Hojby. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Karen-Lise Mynster, Erland Josephson, (more)
- 1991
Ingrid Bergman was both one of Hollywood's most sought after stars and a controversial public figure. Her bright and acclaimed acting career came to a halt after a very public scandal caused her to leave the country and live in Europe for a time. Resilient and strong, Ingrid Bergman did not let her public humiliation end her career or prevent her life from moving on. She came back to America determined to put her past behind her and succeeded with her performance in Anastasia, for which she won a Best Actress Oscar. This documentary on her life, narrated by Sir John Gielgud, includes clips from 25 of her films and interviews with friends and people who worked with her, including Liv Ullmann, Angela Lansbury, Anthony Quinn, and Jose Ferrer. Also included are rare early screen tests, home movies from the 1940s, and footage from her press conference after she returned from Europe. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Based on the book by Eleanor Coerr, this is the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl stricken with leukemia after the bombing of Hiroshima. While in the hospital, Sadako learns about an ancient Japanese legend and begins folding paper cranes in the hope that when she completes 1,000 cranes, the gods would grant her wish to be well again. There is a statue of Sadako in Hiroshima's Peace Park which to this day is covered with paper cranes made by children from all over the world who believe in her message, "This is our cry, this is our prayer, peace in the world." Relating a terrible truth in a beautful manner, Sadako is brought to life by the soft pastel illustrations of Caldecott Medalist and children's author Ed Young and by Liv Ullmann's sweet and expressive narration. This award-winning movie by George Levenson is a true melding of art and film. Levenson also created How to Fold a Paper Crane, a companion video designed to illustrate how to create Sadako's origami birds. ~ Heather M. Fierst, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Maria (Liv Ullmann) and her actress friend Raquel (Cipe Lincovsky) react differently when both of their children are missing and presumed dead at the hands of military terrorists. Raquel moves to Berlin, while Maria continues the search for her missing child. She continues her search after the oppressive military regime is ousted, still hoping her child is not among the many dead. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, Cipe Lincovsky, (more)
- 1987
Liv Ullmann plays real-life Jewish dissident and astronomer Ida Nudel in this historical biography. Ida is denied papers to emigrate after her lover Yuli (Daniel Olbrychski) is release from a labor camp. When Yuli and Ida's sister Elena (Aurore Clement) receive their papers, Ida rides with them on a train bound for Vienna and jumps off before she crosses the border. Arrested for protesting in Moscow in 1980, Ida is sent to an all-male prison where she is in constant danger of assault. After being transferred to a woman's camp, Ida returns to Moscow to find that her apartment is occupied, Yuli has married, and she is banished from the city she loves. Ida wanders from village to village until she recalls her story to an American reporter. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, Daniel Olbrychski, (more)
- 1985
Originally titled Speriamo che sia Femmina, Let's Hope It's a Girl is a multifaceted exploration of the pointlessness of sexual stereotypes. Liv Ullmann is a countess who, after her divorce, takes over the family farm. Realizing that she can't rely on the patriarchal society structure for assistance, Ullmann runs the farm herself with the help of her female servants and relatives. When the Count (Philipe Noiret) comes back into her life, he and his male buddies find themselves outclassed by the expertise of the ladies. The flawless cast of Let's Hope It's A Girl includes Catherine Deneuve and Bernard Blier, the latter superb as a doddering old nobleman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, Catherine Deneuve, (more)
- 1984
Kiefer Sutherland won the Canadian equivalent of the Academy Award for his performance in Bay Boy. In 1937 Nova Scotia, Donald Campbell (Sutherland) lives with his dirt-poor parents (Liv Ullmann and Peter Donat). His folks hope that Donald will enter the priesthood, but he isn't keen on this. For one thing, he harbors "unnatural" feelings towards a nun; for another, one of the local priests has made sexual advances towards him. Donald prefers to spend his time with pretty sisters Saxon and Dianna (Leah Pinsent and Jane McKinnon) -- but even this becomes untenable when the boy witnesses a homicidal hate crime committed by the girls' father, police constable Tom Coldwell (Alan Scarfe). It is in this intolerable atmosphere that Donald finally comes of age, which is the point to which the film is leading. Weighed down with an unnecessarily complex script, Kiefer Sutherland comes off quite well in Bay Boy; the other performers -- even the estimable Liv Ullmann -- tend to be one-note stereotypes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, Kiefer Sutherland, (more)
- 1983
Director Henri Safran adapts Henrik Ibsen's stage play to an Australian setting and a turn-of-the-century ambience in this uneven presentation of an illicit love and its consequences. Harold (Jeremy Irons) is a somewhat over-the-edge photographer who has lost out at a career in the sciences. His wife Gina (Liv Ullmann) is an opposite personality type: subdued, quiet, not prone to excessive outbursts. Harold's father the Major (John Meillon) lives with the family, which includes the daughter Henrietta (Lucinda Jones) who is slowly going blind -- and all is as normal as possible until Gregory (Arthur Dignam) shows up and in a two-day period, tragedy strikes. The prig Gregory sees it as his obligation to open up his best friend Harold's eyes with some shocking news: Henrietta is not really Harold's daughter at all, but the offspring of an illicit affair between Gregory's father and Gina. Figuring into this relationship is a wild duck that was once wounded by Gregory's father, and its symbolism looms almost too large over the rest of the complex, claustrophobic household as personalities lead events to their fateful end. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, Jeremy Irons, (more)
- 1983
Though purportedly set in Argentina, Jacobo Timerman: Prisoner Without a Name, Call Without a Number was rather obviously filmed in and around New York. Roy Scheider stars as the real-life Timerman, a Jewish Argentinian journalist who speaks out against the repressive government. In response, the authorities imprison and torture Timerman, then place him under house arrest for 18 months. Liv Ullman costars as Timerman's wife, who gives him the courage to persevere. Veteran scenarist Budd Schulberg was so taken aback by the changes made in his script that he had his name removed from the credits, in favor of the alias "Oliver P. Drexell Jr." The viewer will be likewise put out; advertised as a sociological masterpiece in the tradition of The Life of Emile Zola, Jacobo Timerman looks more like a cheapjack, cardboard product from the Dark Ages of live television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
This anthology film is comprised of six segments shot by four female directors. "Love from the Marketplace," explores the way food relates to love. "The Black Cat in the Black Mouse Socks" stars singer Joni Mitchell, who also wrote it and its music. "Julia" tells the tail of a vanquished affair that is renewed. In "Love on Your Birthday" a wife gives her husband a night with her best friend as a birthday present. She then gets jealous and the trouble begins. "Por Vida" follows the journey home of a WW II GI. "Parting" follows the love of an elderly man for his paralyzed wife. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Thomson, Joni Mitchell, (more)
Ingrid Bergman, the Swedish expatriate who became one of Hollywood's greatest stars, and Ingmar Bergman, one of the world's most acclaimed filmmakers and Sweden's most honored director, worked together for the first and only time in this intensely personal drama about the troubled relationship between a mother and daughter. Charlotte (Ingrid Bergman) is an acclaimed concert pianist who is visiting her daughter Eva (Liv Ullmann), the wife of a parson in a rural community, for the first time in seven years. While Charlotte and Eva struggle to be civil, there is a deep emotional gulf between them. Eva resents her mother for not caring enough for her as a child, feeling that Charlotte was more interested in her career and her other daughter, Helena (Lena Nyman), who is severely handicapped and can only communicate through inarticulate noises. Charlotte, on the other hand, is uncomfortable with the fact that Helena now lives with Eva, and she is still coming to terms with the emotional devastation of her husband's recent death. Herbstsonate, released in America as Autumn Sonata, earned Ingrid Bergman some of the most enthusiastic acclaim of her career; she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, and she won the same honor from the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle. It was also her last theatrical release; she would appear in only one more project, a TV movie about the life of Golda Meir, before her death in 1982. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ingrid Bergman, Liv Ullmann, (more)
The Serpent's Egg, or Das Schlangenei is director Ingmar Bergman's second English language production (The Touch was his first). It is, however, his first completely non-Swedish production, made after his voluntary self-exile from Sweden over taxation issues. Set in Berlin in the early 1920s, it explores the fear and despair the city evokes in Manuela and Abel Rosenberg (Liv Ullmann and David Carradine), two Jewish trapeze artists. The suicide of Manuela's husband (Abel's brother), has stranded them in Berlin. Berlin is shown to already possess the sinister elements of cruelty and anti-Semitism which laid the groundwork for the later Nazi takeover. A series of misadventures gets them sent to a medical clinic for treatment. However, the clinic is actually a site for Nazi-type "racial" experiments on humans, which generally either madden or kill the subjects. Das Schlangenei was savaged by the critics for its improbable-seeming story and more particularly, for casting David Carradine (best known for his earlier appearances in the Kung Fu U.S. television series) in a crucial role. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, David Carradine, (more)
- 1977
This 1977 documentary feature closely examines the person, views and life of Norwegian actress Liv Ullman, perhaps best known for her many appearances in the famed Swedish director Ingmar Bergman's films. Clips of her films are included, as well as numerous interviews granted by her especially for this film, which was released shortly after her autobiography Changing was published. This documentary is subtitled: "Norway's Live Ullman/Liv Ullmann's Norway." ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
