Hour of the Wolf

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hour of the Wolf
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Produced by Lars-Owe Carlberg
Written by Ingmar Bergman
Starring Max von Sydow
Liv Ullmann
Gertrud Fridh
Georg Rydeberg
Erland Josephson
Ingrid Thulin
Release date(s) February 19, 1968 (Sweden)
Running time 90 min.
Language Swedish
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Vargtimmen (Hour of the Wolf) is a Swedish film from 1968. It is Ingmar Bergman's only horror film. Hour of the Wolf originated from a manuscript with the working title "The Maneaters". Bergman started work on it in the spring of 1965, during which time he suffered a minor nervous breakdown. In the end, the manuscript resulted in not one but two movies, Persona and Hour of the Wolf. Together with the former work, Hour of the Wolf is probably one of Bergman's most personal films, though he deals with himself in one way or another in almost all of his films. It is filmed as if it were a true story about an artist who has disappeared. The story of the artist and his life just before he vanishes is based on interviews with his wife, and on his diaries.

Johan Borg (von Sydow) is a painter who is haunted by what seem to be demons. He only tells his wife Alma (Ullman) about them, and the fear makes him unable to sleep. He and Alma stay up during parts of the night, especially "The Hour of the Wolf", during which, it is said, most people either are born or die. In other scenes, we are shown examples of Borg's bizarre behaviour, which lead the viewer to question Borg's sanity.

Borg has given names to some of his demons, like "the birdman" or "the lady with the hat". During the film, he is also approached by a baron, von Merkens (Josephson), who lives in a nearby castle. The painter and his wife Alma visit them and their strange household, but it is not made clear whether or not they actually exist.

As in previous movies, Bergman once more discusses the role of the artist and the problems he faces.

[edit] Cast

Supporting cast:

  • Agda Helin (Von merken's maid) (uncredited)
  • Lenn Hjortzberg (Musical leader) Kreisler (uncredited)
  • Mikael Rundquist (Boy in dream) (uncredited)
  • Mona Seilitz (Corpse in mortuary) (uncredited)
  • Folke Sundquist (Tamino) (uncredited)

[edit] External links