Smultronstället

Photo of Victor Sjöström in Wild Strawberries

The 78-year- old Isak Borg (Victor Sjöström¹), professor of medicine sets out to visit the University of Lund to be feted on the 50th anniversary of receiving his degree. En route Borg clashes with his estranged daughter in law Marianne (Ingrid Thulin) and meets and travels further with a trio of young hitchhikers led by the vivacious teen Sara (Bibi Andersson). She reminds Borg of his first love.

Photo of Ingrid Thulin in Wild Strawberries

In several dream sequences Borg sees his past life. These are not pleasant memories. As Borg finds the titular wild strawberries growing outside his childhood home, he travels back to when his cousin and true love Sara (Bibi Andersson) crudely seduced his brother. And there is his long-dead wife (Gertrude Fridh), bitter and disappointed by her husband's inability to love.

Cast:

Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Victor Sjöström ... Dr. Isak Borg
Bibi Andersson ... Sara
Ingrid Thulin ... Marianne Borg
Gunnar Björnstrand ... Dr. Evald Borg
Jullan Kindahl ... Agda
Folke Sundquist ... Anders
Björn Bjelfvenstam ... Viktor
Naima Wifstrand ... Mrs. Borg, Isak's Mother
Gunnel Broström ... Mrs. Alman
Gertrud Fridh ... Karin Borg, Isak's wife
Max von Sydow ... Henrik Åkerman

Bibliography » Books:

Bibliography » Web:

News

101 years ago, Gunnar Sjöberg † (Sten Alman) was born.
(March 25, 1909)

Photo of Max Von Sydow 81 years ago, Max Von Sydow (Henrik Åkerman) was born.
(April 10, 1929)

Photo of Jullan Kindahl 125 years ago, Jullan Kindahl † (Agda) was born.
(April 12, 1885)

Photo of Yngve Nordwall 102 years ago, Yngve Nordwall † (Uncle Aron) was born.
(April 13, 1908)

Trivia

Release date: December 26, 1957

1. Victor Sjöström is one of the great Swedish directors. He directed eight films in Hollywood between 1924 and 1930 with such stars as Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, John Gilbert and Edward G. Robinson.

The title Smultronstället translates literally as The Wild Strawberry Patch, or Place

In Sweden wild strawberries are associated with summer, childhood, and happiness.
--Source: Between Stage and Screen: Ingmar Bergman Directs, Page 118

Some critics say that Woody Allen’s 1997 film Deconstructing Harry, was influenced by Wild Strawberries. Allen denies this: “The fact that the character has to go to an honoring ceremony was mainly to let me insert the scene where he kidnaps his son.”
--Source: Wood Allen: Interviews., Page 170

Ingmar was inspired by a drive he took to his grandma’s house and wondered what it would be like to envision his childhood friends there.

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