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

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.

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. 1 2 3 James Travers, "Prison (1949), directed by Ingmar Bergman", French Films.org, retrieved 18 June 2022.
  2. 1 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.


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