Cries and Whispers

Wrenching, devastating, Bergman. Ingmar's 1972 scarlet masterwork boasts a peerless ensemble, including Harriet Andersson as spinster Agnes, who is dying of cancer; Liv Ullmann and Ingrid Thulin as her sisters, the wanton Maria and the embittered Karin, who have come to see her through her anguished, painful final days; and, rounding out the quartet, Kari Sylwan as Agnes's devoted and maternal servant. As the ordeal unfolds, the sisters reflect on their lives, past and present, with reconciliation seemingly within their grasp…but, this is Bergman. Scenes from Maria and Karin's marriages can be harrowing, including one particularly nasty bit with Karin that will ring bells with fans of The Exorcist. An intimate, sometimes surprisingly erotic drama that is long on talk and lingering images that may try less patient souls, Cries & Whispers remains one of the Swedish master's most powerful films. The characteristically superb Criterion disc does justice to Sven Nykvist's Academy Award-winning cinematography, and includes a 52-minute interview with Bergman conducted by Erland Josephson. Essential for any world cinema library or Bergman collection, this is highly recommended. (K. Lee Benson)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—Mar. 24, 2015—Criterion, 91 min., in Swedish w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95; Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1972's Cries and Whispers boasts a great transfer and an uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition. Extras include a 2001 introduction by director Ingmar Bergman (8 min.), the 2000 interview “Ingmar Bergman: Reflections on Life, Death, and Love with Erland Josephson” (53 min.), behind-the-scenes footage (34 min.), a new interview with costar Harriet Andersson by historian Peter Cowie (20 min.), an “On Solace” new video essay by filmmaker :: kogonada (13 min.), a trailer, and an essay by film scholar Emma Wilson. Bottom line: this Bergman classic shines on Blu-ray.]