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The Silence

The Silence

1963
Drama
1h 36m
Two estranged sisters, Ester and Anna, and Anna's 10-year-old son, travel to a Central European country on the verge of war. Ester becomes seriously ill and the three of them move into a large hotel in a small town called Timoka. (imdb)

Directed by:

Ingmar Bergman

Screenwriter:

Ingmar Bergman

Starring:

Birger Malmsten, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnel Lindblom, Håkan Jahnberg, Jörgen Lindström, Lissi Alandh, Birger Lensander, Eduardo Gutiérrez, Karl-Arne Bergman, Leif Forstenberg, Eskil Kalling, Kristina Olausson

Genre:

Drama

AKA:

Tystnaden

Country:

Sweden

Languages:

English, Spanish, French, Swedish, German
imdb IMDb
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The Silence

1963
Drama
1h 36m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 71.09% from 1241 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 04 Oct 2016
70
53rd
Casually washing my hooters in the sink whistling about the silence of God while a troupe of midgets cartwheel around me. "WHAT DOES IT MEAN"
Rated 04 Oct 2016
bownBown
Rated 02 Apr 2010
69
21st
Bergman's vision of a world where God is silent (or perhaps never revealed himself at all) is almost like Bergman doing dystopia. Conceptually very interesting, but I can't say I was particularly enthralled; sometimes it just seemed weird for the sake of being weird. The hints of war were the more interesting parts of the film, for me.
Rated 02 Apr 2010
magbMagb
Rated 15 Feb 2009
85
73rd
True to its name, The Silence is indeed for the most part a quiet film. The language barrier between the Swedish main characters and the inhabitants of Whatever-country-they're-supposed-to-be-in are often mostly wordless, and much time is spent watching characters by themselves. The Silence really does feel like the emptiness left in the wake of "God's silence". It's almost nihilistic, which is discomforting when it's coming from Bergman. A powerful film, but a hard pill to swallow.
Rated 15 Feb 2009
djrossdjross
Rated 27 Jul 2008
84
95th
Bergman: "When you see THE SILENCE today, you have to admit that it suffers from a severe literary list [...] in two or three sequences. First and foremost, that is true in the confrontations between the two sisters. The tentative dialogue between Anna and Ester with which the film ends is also unnecessary. Other than that, I have no objections. [...] In THE SILENCE, Sven and I had decided to be uninhibitedly unchaste. It contains a cinematic sensuality that I still experience with delight."
Rated 27 Jul 2008
spunkieSpunkie
Rated 17 Nov 2007
85
97th
One of the most beautiful cinematography ever thanks to Nykvist. The film is emotionally destructive if you get too close.
Rated 17 Nov 2007
yiannosYiannos
Rated 23 Jul 2019
80
92nd
The bleakest and most ambiguous film of Bergman's faith trilogy. Along with Persona, it's arguably his most visually accomplished work, featuring many extended scenes of no dialogue and an emphasis on space that are somewhat reminiscent of Antonioni. The characters have multiple sources of torment, and feelings of envy, resentment and callous disregard simmer and boil in explosive waves of tension that are never resolved; and the opening and closing scenes rank among Bergman's finest work.
Rated 23 Jul 2019
funkyastroFunkyAstro
Rated 14 Nov 2014
95
97th
Bergman's spiritual dilemma. If I am devout then I am surrounded by immorality which will plague me with mental anguish and leave me frigid, judgmental and deadened, all alone with my principles. If I reject it all then I am doomed to live a selfish life of immorality which will manifest itself in immature self destructive tendencies, leaving me incapable of having meaningful relationships and indifferent to other's suffering. Why can't we just stay innocent kids forever and play with midgets?
Rated 14 Nov 2014
kasperlKasperL
Rated 23 Sep 2012
55
39th
The penultimate scene is greatly discomforting viewing. I'll classify it with 'Cries and Whispers' in terms of shock value. Both films contain the power to disturb, no doubt about it, but that alone surely doesn't make them great! 'The Silence' left me cold. And disappointed. I guess I wanted more plot. On a technical level it's phenomenal, though.
Rated 23 Sep 2012
vesupriavesupria
Rated 06 Jul 2010
8
88th
Dark, gloomy, and chillingly melancholic; the nihilism of Bergman. As close as it gets to total desolation and utter despair. Here he doesn't find any need for a direct recourse to "God", just the silence of mankind's failed search for meaning in a universe devoid of (inherent) meaning. Attitudes, whether based on rabid materialism, or resolute principles, seem to encounter the same lonely fate of inevitable death. The eternally rotten core that youth must take from a saddening bite.
Rated 06 Jul 2010
madderrootmadderroot
Rated 07 Mar 2009
96
98th
great original screenplay.bergman says his original idea was to make a film that should obey musical laws, instead of dramaturgical ones.
Rated 07 Mar 2009
sellissellis
Rated 17 Sep 2020
93
93rd
Bergman tries to make an Antonioni film and, by doing so, makes possibly his greatest film. Wish he made more like this, even if its intention is unbearable nihilism.
Rated 17 Sep 2020
jpfergusonJPFerguson
Rated 22 Jul 2020
90
96th
This is a film about bodies; the sick body, the sexual body and the infant body. But more than this, the body in motion and the emissions of the body (physical, emotional and spiritual). The use of sound is an equal match for the visual power of the vastness of the hotel corridors. The two sisters, young boy (son) and the porter make for an odd but compelling foursome. Rating may increase on further viewings.
Rated 22 Jul 2020
k177105k177105
Rated 24 Jun 2020
82
58th
The superego and the id, or, one that sticks to chastity for the infinite, and the other that goes after finite pleasure in response to the question of nihilism motivating the infinite pursuit. Woody Allen: "...both women in THE SILENCE are really only two warring aspects of one woman."
Rated 24 Jun 2020
le_mamile mami
Rated 17 Jul 2019
55
44th
Hayatımı Bergman filmlerine düşük puan vererek kazanıyorum xd
Rated 17 Jul 2019
vdecraimVdecraim
Rated 24 Dec 2013
80
73rd
Bergman's films sometimes resemble a babbling river of emotions. A slow process that very meticulously reaches depths that only nature itself could reach. Sadly, the last two films in the 'Silence of God'-trilogy fail to resonate with my vision on life or my personal interests in the way Wild Strawberries did. Don't get me wrong, it's still a superb film, with magnificent pacing and fantastic cinematography/photography by the awe-inspiring Sven Nykvist.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 09 Dec 2013
90
80th
I can't believe this was made in 1963. Of the films in Bergman's trilogy, this is the most difficult, a mysterious and haunting nightmare that's about sex and the end of the world. I barely understand it, but I am utterly fascinated by it; you leave just as confused as you began, but still utterly bewildered by what occurred on screen. The shot of the tank rolling through the city streets is perfection, a fantastic representation of all that this film provides.
Rated 09 Dec 2013
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 14 Jun 2013
93
91st
Bergman at its sparsest and most uncomfortable. A bleak vision, expertly executed. Nykyst's black and white photography is even more beautiful than usual.
Rated 14 Jun 2013
noam_razNoam Raz
Rated 11 Oct 2012
70
70th
As if the leader of spiritual cult has been reborn and time has allegedly stopped. When truth is discovered, and daily routine is restored -
Rated 11 Oct 2012
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 08 Sep 2012
20
7th
Aside from the anticipation that I felt throughout this movie, very little story is developed. I am left wondering why the movie was made, and just what was the message it was trying to tell. This movie is also full of disconnected random scenes that had nothing to add except a diversion from the dramatic acting. I wanted to like this movie, and there was so much potential, but by the end I had only questions, and almost no answers.
Rated 08 Sep 2012
svengaliSvengali
Rated 13 Aug 2012
82
90th
Hello again, Ingmar.
Rated 13 Aug 2012
bolivarbolivar
Rated 07 May 2012
75
75th
extremely unlike any other bergman ive seen (so far). in fact it reminded me of polanskis repulsion and cul-de-sac. in the end the story is just plain uninteresting, however. nykvists camera work is always a joy to watch, though.
Rated 07 May 2012
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 17 Sep 2011
89
82nd
Typically smouldering but highly emotional piece of cinema from Bergman, dealing with the intense, incestual (?) relationship between two sisters and young son/nephew. Interesting juxtaposition of playful whimsy as the boy explores the hotel, with scenes of startling sexual frankness (both for the 1960s and for Bergman) and intense suffering, foreshadowing CRIES AND WHISPERS. As usual, cinematography and performances are superb, especially Lindstrom as the boy and Jahnberg as a helpful porter.
Rated 17 Sep 2011
roofsrunnerroofs_runner
Rated 20 May 2011
92
89th
My first one by Bergman. I was impressed by the feeling of despair and loneliness that kills everything human inside our souls. I cannot say everything was accessible for me and it is absolutely my fault. Next time I guess I will be more prepared.
Rated 20 May 2011
seryxaSeryxa
Rated 23 Mar 2011
25
43rd
Bergman may know what this was all about, but it's a certainty that no one else did; so everyone thought it must be very clever and went to see it. Superficially, as usual, it is careful and fascinating.
Rated 23 Mar 2011
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 18 Sep 2010
87
85th
The dystopic, impenetrable environment, complete with Charlie-Brown-adult-speak jibberish, only seems to magnify the fact that the obsessive problems of Bergman's characters are increasingly juvenile and stupid. That's Bergman's great paradox: whether you assume God's Silence (the original title) or God's Presence, both mindsets reveal your personal demons. And our attempts to justify our issues with pride only make matters worse. Sven's camerawork makes these dense ideas strangely tangible.
Rated 18 Sep 2010
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 19 Jun 2009
70
75th
Bergman's mostly silent take on sibling rivalry, good but a pretty much middling effort in relation to the rest of his oeuvre.
Rated 19 Jun 2009
lphovercraftLPhovercraft
Rated 15 Mar 2009
14
11th
One of Bergman's more pretentious and claustrophobic films. The film is laden with heavy-handed symbolism and banal dialogue.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
farzanFarzan
Rated 24 Aug 2008
93
94th
With The Silence, Bergman shows us the relationship between two sisters, and how their differences affect both of them, and the son of one of them. It is definitely a magical piece of film, not accessible to everyone, but is definitely one to cherish if you are a fan of the theme, "family". The Silence is a perfect, heartbreaking, and yet realistic look at a family in crisis. The final chapter of the God's Silence trilogy, is one to watch, and one to admire forever.
Rated 24 Aug 2008
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 21 Mar 2008
3
38th
It's good, but it's too damned impenetrable at times; Bergman's movies, in my experience, usually lay their themes on the table, and he loves extensive character interaction. This film has neither, and instead relies on subtle visual cues and unspoken thoughts. The pace is too slow for its own good much of the time as well, and the movie has a number of inconsequential scenes. It feels like a movie Antonioni would've made, only not as well. But don't think I'm suggesting it's not worth a look.
Rated 21 Mar 2008
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 21 Feb 2008
91
87th
As usual, the direction of the actors is phenomenal and so is the writing, Bergman delivers yet another masterwork in his extensive career. The Silence is a subtle, dark movie depicting the distanced relationships family members can have; it's a quiet and dishearting movie that is easily recommendable to fans of Bergman's movies, especially the ones that deal with darker subject matter like hidden contempt for loved ones which is a relatively common theme in his movies.
Rated 21 Feb 2008
runningrunning
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
17th
oh so boring ...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
yesistastyyesistasty
Rated 25 Aug 2024
90
68th
File this one in Bergman's more experimental category. The experimentation here is more narrative than formal; this has the look of typical Bergman, but the story is elliptical, with long stretches of slow, incidental action. I think the major themes here, a confrontation with death, the intellectual vs the emotional temperament, are addressed more compellingly and richly in other Bergman films. Not my favorite watch from his filmography. The lighting and blocking were beautiful, as always.
Rated 25 Aug 2024
hotsakehotsake
Rated 22 Jun 2024
62
57th
Decidedly odd, slightly surreal, and quietly disturbing. I didn't see all the themes that so many people attribute to this film, maybe it's me, or maybe it's everyone else trying to force their own meaning and narrative.
Rated 22 Jun 2024
doyler29doyler29
Rated 03 Mar 2024
80
68th
I find this film to be a bit of an enigma, but not the kind that bothers me. It's a gorgeously shot little chamber drama that feels extremely dense with symbolism, and perhaps a bit too personal for anyone who isn't Bergman himself to completely connect with.
Rated 03 Mar 2024
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 07 Jan 2023
58
18th
Visually fantastic, but this is one of those Bergman's where I feel like there's a lot here that I'm just not operating on a high enough level to get. There is some interesting stuff here, and it's all well done, but I felt like real understanding of it was just out of my reach. That's more on me than Bergman. It's certainly not one of those pretentious films that feels difficult just for the sake of difficulty. I just found it frustrating didn't totally get it, even though I felt close.
Rated 07 Jan 2023
larsvontrierLarsVonTrier
Rated 02 Feb 2021
5
99th
Ingrid Thulin is a goddess. And with Gunnel Lindblom, they form a magical duo that you cannot take your eyes off of.
Rated 02 Feb 2021
fra_paolofra paolo
Rated 21 Mar 2020
61
67th
As much as I tried to get lost in the remarkable cinematography, the clunky, irritating contrast between the realm of the senses and the beautiful mind just kept pulling me back into Bergman's outdated existentialist pose.
Rated 21 Mar 2020
xakkmasterXakkMaster
Rated 08 Jan 2020
80
62nd
Visually stunning and contemplative. Perhaps a bit thin on narrative, but in many ways that makes it more universal.
Rated 08 Jan 2020
zaezae
Rated 11 Dec 2019
73
61st
I find this movie quite hard to rate. It's stunningly beautiful, in cinematography as well as in mood and setting. However it also largely feels weird for the sake of being weird, as another reviewer wrote. I usually love weird films but the weirdness here felt largely artificial and didn't really strike a chord with me.
Rated 11 Dec 2019
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 15 Mar 2019
86
40th
86.00
Rated 15 Mar 2019
karamazovkaramazov.
Rated 27 Mar 2018
71
91st
Obvious kinship with Robbe-Grillet and Resnais, and a clear predecessor to 1966's PERSONA. Hypnotic and so delicate you could snap it like you probably could that kid's twig-like limbs, between thumb and palm.
Rated 27 Mar 2018
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 30 Jul 2017
91
89th
Em honra aos dez anos hoje do dia que o cinema morreu. Filme # 1 do dia.
Rated 30 Jul 2017
cinegeekdecinegeek.de
Rated 28 Sep 2016
93
94th
(...)Wenig später, informiert Anna die Sterbende, dass sie mit Johan abreisen würde. Bereits mit dem nächsten Zug. Johans Versprechen, sie würden bald zurück sein - der Wunsch eines Kindes. Doch kann der Wunsch eines Kindes Bestand haben beim Eintritt ins Erwachsenenalter? Kann das sein in der Annahme, dass Gott schweigt?
Rated 28 Sep 2016
taflandenizTaflanDeniz
Rated 14 May 2016
92
97th
Bu durumda, iletişimsizliğin cehennemine boğucu dalış için her şey hazırdır. Bu Tystnaden (Sessizlik)'tir. Tanrı ne vardır, ne yoktur, ne hatırlanır, ne de yadsınır. Defteri dürülmüştür. "Büyük Temizlik" nihai sona ermiştir.
Rated 14 May 2016
ottott
Rated 06 Mar 2016
95
97th
there is a phone call for you! yeah, it's the void again
Rated 06 Mar 2016
judo_koalaJudo Koala
Rated 02 Sep 2015
76
61st
My least favourite of the 'Faith' trilogy, lacking both the emotional gut-punch and dialectic frankness of 'Through a Glass Darkly' and 'White Light.' Not poor by any means, but not nearly the strongest effort Bergman has committed himself to.
Rated 02 Sep 2015
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Dec 2014
80
80th
One of Bergman's most cinematic movies this has some of the best visuals of all his movies (and most others already do look fantastic) Unfortunate side-effect of this is that the two sisters more than any other Bergman character feel less like well-rounded real persons and more like representations of personalities. (2nd viewing)
Rated 03 Dec 2014
triptolemosTriptolemos
Rated 28 Oct 2014
70
87th
A short, rather symbolic movie with a brilliant atmosphere. Unfortunately Bergman relies more on the symbolic aspects rather than a plot which leaves the viewer a bit unsatisfied at the end.
Rated 28 Oct 2014
baggerBagger
Rated 19 Jan 2014
70
48th
This really struck me as some very interesting scenes that ultimately add up to a smorgasboard of "arty stuff" with little to no subtext to justify it. Maybe I'm missing something, but once you use little people as a pseudo-chock element, I've already put your movie in a shelf.
Rated 19 Jan 2014
cclxndrcclxndr
Rated 05 Dec 2013
95
95th
This quiet film feeds on the expression of emotions and curiosity, with minimal dialogue. We explore a rapidly growing void between two sisters, trapped in a new space unable to readily explore outside of their own mental incapacitation. I defined the camera as its own character acting out the voyeur, a drunk enabler, an investigator and childlike conquistador. Chances are you won't understand The Silence first time through, but images will linger for days until they finally find redemption.
Rated 05 Dec 2013
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 28 Oct 2013
8
97th
edit: initial review was trash. loved this anyway.
Rated 28 Oct 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 02 Oct 2013
86
87th
85.500
Rated 02 Oct 2013
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 30 Apr 2012
81
77th
The most overpowering atmosphere out of the trilogy of faith since by this point god is gone and all that's left are people unable to communicate with one another. Some interesting drama and a few fun scenes keep this going, although it is the weakest of the trilogy.
Rated 30 Apr 2012
gurrkinGurrkin
Rated 01 Apr 2012
45
35th
Definitely needs a rewatch at some point to try and work out what on earth is going on...
Rated 01 Apr 2012
aeghtesadiaeghtesadi
Rated 29 Jan 2012
91
85th
Man, how do I rank this? There came a point in this movie where I realized I was going to need to rewatch this film in the hopes of catching anything. This movie made me feel stupid. It also made me feel a little uneasy, disoriented, and helpless to communicate. So I guess I got the emotional response down. Now I need to formulate an intellectual response.
Rated 29 Jan 2012
actionbergActionberg
Rated 17 Jan 2012
75
59th
Quite an unpleasant experience, though this is not to say I was dissatisfied. It's just that I pretty much felt empty by the end of it, and not in the contemplative way that I generally feel at the end of a Bergman film. Yeah, the sisters represent the duality of human experience, and the child's curiosity is compelling, but I guess it just wasn't subtle enough. I guess I'm just spoiled. I really did love the entire opening scene on the train, and the sound design in general really grabbed me.
Rated 17 Jan 2012
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
75
50th
#496
Rated 30 Nov 2011
pigletPiglet
Rated 07 Nov 2011
85
96th
So many questions left unanswered to mention, it sure stays with you forever.
Rated 07 Nov 2011
stariachistariachi
Rated 17 Feb 2011
80
80th
utterly disturbing, beautifully shot.
Rated 17 Feb 2011
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 12 Dec 2010
80
98th
A dystopic stirring; no purchase on faith.
Rated 12 Dec 2010
darkmandarkman
Rated 01 Mar 2010
80
81st
Strange atmosphere. You can feel the Bergman signature.
Rated 01 Mar 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 14 Jan 2010
77
54th
452
Rated 14 Jan 2010
venicevenice
Rated 04 Jan 2010
95
96th
I just watched it for the third time and I still love it. Maybe it's not important, but I love the fact that Ester is a translator.
Rated 04 Jan 2010
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 15 Sep 2009
4
74th
Boy, this really lives up to its title. The long periods of silence really emphasize the apprehension and isolation between the two sisters. It's essentially plotless, and instead Bergman focuses simply on display of emotion. Interestingly, I got nothing spiritual out of this, and was quite surprised by its sexual overtones.
Rated 15 Sep 2009
jebJeb
Rated 23 Jun 2009
97
90th
The Silence is a respledently irradiant and effulgent glimpse into the sustained and protracted asssociation and conjunction between two very discrepant siblings. The interaction and confrontational approaches and usual propositional themes from Bergman are thrown in, with an additional topic concerned with the distanced and dissolved contact between two detached sisters. It really puts you in a breakdown that will order you to become more grateful for the ones around you. Succintly outstanding.
Rated 23 Jun 2009
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 12 Mar 2009
72
41st
Bergman does his job well, and definitely showcases the power of silence, but this film does also suffer from that same theme. It has a definite neglect of a proper plot. While characters are important, they need not be the only valid subject of a movie. The pinnacle of that lack of a comprehensive plot is the ending, which is both anti-climactic and provides no resolution, it simply stops, and while that can be a good feature, in this movie it is not.
Rated 12 Mar 2009
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
77
54th
459
Rated 19 Dec 2008
timon88Timon88
Rated 12 Jul 2008
89
94th
Visually very strong, with images that stay with you a long, long time. The sense of alienation created by Bergman and Nykvist is unforgettable... the made-up foreign language, the large, near-empty hotel, the streets nearly devoid of human activity save preparing for war. For most of the film, there is no dialogue... if only it had been the entire film, The long-repressed resentments finally bubbling to the surface are so very annoying to listen to.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
witchfinderWitchfinder
Rated 02 Jul 2008
100
93rd
Bergman always perfect
Rated 02 Jul 2008
joojooJooJoo
Rated 06 May 2008
5
81st
You can really lose yourself in the visual construction here. There's just not much of interest when this film expresses itself in other means.
Rated 06 May 2008
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 01 May 2008
80
76th
A low-voiced, vibrant nightmare-psychodrama.
Rated 01 May 2008
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 01 Mar 2008
81
69th
# 374
Rated 01 Mar 2008
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 04 Dec 2007
40
19th
This is my least favourite Bergman film, and I love Bergman. It's nice to look at, but that's about it. I mean, I get it, this is what happens when you're silent with each other and with God. But what happens is nothing interesting. This film's great sin in my book is that it thinks that theme is enough to power a movie. Well, theme and sex. It's a weird complaint to make, because it's not like Bergman went off the rails. He knows exactly what he's doing, but it's just not interesting.
Rated 04 Dec 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
95th
Rather atypical for Bergman, it's missing a lot of the character interaction that he excels at. Excellent photography by Nykvist elevates it a lot. A good lead-in to Persona.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 26 May 2007
50
33rd
Given how much I like the whole "silence of God" theme, I want to like this a lot better than I do
Rated 26 May 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 21 May 2007
76
47th
A decent movie with a lot of depth but the pacing was a little too slow for me. I was interested in the story and there were a lot of interesting topics covered but the slow pace, which I suspect was intentional, ultimately took away from the movie.
Rated 21 May 2007
kirjatKirjat
Rated 14 Dec 2006
75
44th
Bergman. Yeah! I had to read an article or two to get more into the film, but it was worth it.
Rated 14 Dec 2006

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