Lying beneath the arches and mosaics of the moderately decorated architecture, the dusty half empty pews, and the flooded natural sun leaking down over the congregation is a clandestine struggle quietly waging war within us. In a Bergman film, this is merely setting the stage.

Winter Light is an example of a perfect film at least in the Bergman vocabulary sense. For a film designed almost in a theatrical concept for its minimalism, it remains largely cinematic and achieves a great deal over the course of a hour in real time and only an afternoon in film time. In the space between morning congregation and afternoon ceremonies, the lives of a small group of individuals is tested in the most…

I typically find that when I start exploring a renowned auteurs filmography I know within a film or two whether or not I'll enjoy their work. In the case of Ingmar Bergman he's now 7 for 7 and so far he can do no wrong.

"Winter Light" is yet another profound look at the internal conflict of faith in the face of nothingness. Religion is a one way street, you can talk and pray as much as you want but in return all you get is God's silence. This is the second installment in Bergman's loosely connected thematic theological trilogy; his "Trilogy of Faith".

The film focuses on a Swedish pastor, Thomas (Gunnar Björnstrand) struggling with existentialism in regards to…

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Second part of the auteur's trilogy dealing with man's relationship with God. It is literally impossible to relate with this masterpiece's protagonist unless you are a son of God. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)

What is so absolutely accurate and brilliant about the movie is the fact that it states how agnostics, atheists, etc. lose their credibility in God based on the actions of humans, not…

I am going to ramble until I make sense of my thoughts on this:

It is no coincidence, I think, that the one person in this film to have a deeper understanding of Jesus and his own faith does so through open compassion. Algot, who is apparently physically disabled, dismisses the physical pain of Jesus in favor of the spiritual and emotional pain of being abandoned, citing it as the more severe form of pain suffered during the Passion. His insight into Jesus' suffering is in contrast to the faithless and broken Tomas, who has failed (in a manner that is, to me, a personally devastating manner) to reach out with compassion to anyone (in the course of the film).…

My first Bergman, mainly picked because it was short.

I don't know if it's my tv or the version I watched but the scenes in the church at the beginning were noticeably overexposed. So much so I was completely distracted with trying to fix it. The camera work was a bit shacky and it had a few nicely composed shots but nothing special. I thought the scenes with Marta really stood out, especially the monologue she delivers directly to the camera. I also enjoyed the scene with Algot questioning Christ’s suffering to Tomas.

I can't not mention First Reformed, I definitely enjoyed it more. I always worry I judge films unfairly because they are old but then I've loved films…

I typically find that when I start exploring a renowned auteurs filmography I know within a film or two whether or not I'll enjoy their work. In the case of Ingmar Bergman he's now 7 for 7 and so far he can do no wrong.

"Winter Light" is yet another profound look at the internal conflict of faith in the face of nothingness. Religion is a one way street, you can talk and pray as much as you want but in return all you get is God's silence. This is the second installment in Bergman's loosely connected thematic theological trilogy; his "Trilogy of Faith".

The film focuses on a Swedish pastor, Thomas (Gunnar Björnstrand) struggling with existentialism in regards to…

If one is looking for a good and happy viewing experience then turn else where, "Winter Light" by Ingmar Bergman is definitely not that kind of movie outing. Fans of Bergman though will find much to enjoy here. Some can sort of view this as the calm before the storm as big personal changes are afoot with our main character, the priest. "Winter Light" is a dreary piece where Bergman structures the story to almost be a very negative critique on God, the church's teachings surrounding his suffering, and religion in general. Needless to say this is serious cinema and will not appeal to all viewers. I definitely get a feel of the emotional pressure that our main character is…

Very strange how much First Reformed lifted from this one.
The plot, themes, and characters are pretty much all the same, but of course Bergman knows how to direct and write them better than Schrader. I think that every performance was perfectly bleak, worried, and multi-layered. These characters feel like they've existed for a long time before the film starts, and feels like they will for a long time after it ends due to how cleverly and distinctly written each one is. The cinematography is sterile and cold, fitting perfectly into the themes of isolation and silence. This film also had a great grasp of a very unfeeling and indifferent tone that was expressed through very well written dialogue and…