1961 Oscar Best Foreign Language Film
1960 Cannes Special Mention
1961 Golden Globe: Best Foreign Language Film
This is a faith, revenge and repentance tale based on a 13th century Swedish ballad, set at an age when paganism gave way to Christianity. On her way to the church, Töre's Christian daughter Karin meets two herdsmen and a small boy. The herdsmen rape and kill her, and then, unknowingly, seek shelter at Töre's house. Töre's revenge is as brutal as the act itself. This is Bergman's first major collaboration with the legendary cinematographer Sven Nykvist.
