Hour of the Wolf (1968)

Hour of the Wolf (Vargtimmen)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Written by Ingmar Bergman
1968/Sweden
IMDb link
First viewing/Criterion Channel
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
One of 1000 movies on They Shoot Zombies Don’t They

[box] Johan Borg: The old ones called it “the hour of the wolf”. It is the hour when most people die, when most children are born. Now is when nightmares come to us. And if we are awake -…

Alma Borg: We’re afraid.[/box]

Bergman goes surreal in this venture into the horror genre.  Everything about it is excellent but it misses out on a compelling story line.

The story is told in flashback by Alma Borg (Liv Ullmann).  She and her artist husband (Johan) plan to spend the summer on an island where Johan will be able to work on his paintings.  Alma is expecting a baby.  Johan is restless and uninspired.  Alma meets an old lady who tells her she should read Johan’s diary.

Johan’s mental state deteriorates as the days progress.  At last, Johan reveals his nightmarish fantasies to his wife.  With Ingrid Thulin as Johan’s ex-lover.

The acting, cinematography, direction etc. are all excellent.  I felt there was something lacking in the writing.  Perhaps Bergman got too caught up in this new genre to create relatable characters as well.

American trailer

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And with this review, I complete 1968!