Prison (1949 film)

Prison (Swedish: Fängelse), also known as The Devil's Wanton in the United States, is a 1949 Swedish drama film directed by Ingmar Bergman. It is the earliest film directed by Bergman to be based on his own original screenplay.

Prison
Directed byIngmar Bergman
Written byIngmar Bergman
Produced byLorens Marmstedt
Starring
Music byErland von Koch
Release dates
  • 19 March 1949 (1949-03-19) (Sweden)
  • 4 July 1962 (1962-07-04) (US)
Running time
76 mins
CountrySweden
LanguageSwedish
Budget$30,000

Plot

Other than film-maker Martin Grandé, the characters are types: Thomas, a writer; his wife Sofi, who leaves him after he proposes a suicide pact; Birgitta Carolina Søderberg, a teenage prostitute; and Peter, her pimp by whom she has a child that he kills. The film presents Thomas living the scenario that Grandé and he discussed, a world that is really Hell and ruled by the Devil instead of God. He and Birgitta are unable to escape their unhappiness together.[1]

Cast

Production

Producer Lorens Marmstedt agreed to finance the filming of Bergman's experimental screenplay, which the director said was in large part exploring the question, "Is earth Hell?"[2] Filming, on a very low budget of approximately $30,000, took place over only 18 days,[3] using an Expressionist style of cinematography;[1][2] characterisation is minimal and the acting flat, in keeping with the emphasis on existential symbolism. At one point, in further distancing, Thomas and Birgitta watch a ridiculous silent film together.[1]

References
  1. James Travers, "Prison (1949), directed by Ingmar Bergman", French Films.org, retrieved 18 June 2022.
  2. Jerry Vermilye, Ingmar Bergman: His Life and Films, Jefferson: North Carolina: McFarland, 2002, repr. 2007, ISBN 9780786429592, p. 13.
  3. Frank Gado, The Passion of Ingmar Bergman, Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1986, repr. 1996, ISBN 9780822305866, pp. 43–44.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.