Fanny and Alexander
Encyclopedia
Fanny and Alexander is a 1982 Swedish fantasy
drama film
written and directed by Ingmar Bergman
. It was originally conceived as a four-part TV movie and cut in that version, spanning 312 minutes. A 188-minute version was created later for cinematic release, although this version was in fact the one to be released first. The TV version has since been released as a one-part film; both the long and the "short" version have been shown in theatres throughout the world.
in 1910), in a Swedish town. It deals with a young boy, Alexander (Bertil Guve), his sister Fanny (Pernilla Allwin), and their well-to-do family, the Ekdahls. The siblings' parents are both involved in theater and are happily married until the father's sudden death through a stroke. Shortly thereafter, their mother, Emilie (Ewa Fröling
), finds a new suitor in the local bishop, a handsome widower, and accepts his proposal of marriage, moving into his ascetic home and putting the children under his stern and unforgiving rule. He is particularly hard on Alexander, trying to break his will by every means, something Emilie had not expected. The children and their mother soon live as virtual prisoners in the bishop's house until finally the Ekdahl family intervenes, urged by Emilie who has secretly been in touch with her former mother-in-law Helena and told her of their dire situation.
With help from an old friend, a Jewish antiques dealer, as well as some magic, the children are smuggled out of the house, but the Ekdahls' attempts to bribe or threaten the bishop into divorce fail. Emilie, by now pregnant, slips her husband a sedative and flees as he sleeps, after which a fire breaks out and the bishop is burnt to death. In the meantime, Alexander has met the Jewish merchant's mysterious nephew, Ismael Retzinsky, and fantasized about his stepfather's death – it is as if Alexander's fantasy comes true as he dreams it. The story ends on a mainly happy, life-affirming note, with the christening of Emilie's and the late bishop's daughter as well as the illegitimate daughter of Alexander's uncle, Gustav Adolf Ekdahl (Jarl Kulle); this fruit of the lustful man's affair with the nanny girl Maj is cheerfully adopted into the Ekdahl clan. During the festivities however, Alexander encounters the ghost of the bishop who pushes him to the floor, signalling that he will never be completely free of him.
The Bishop's house
Jacobi's house
The Theatre
and Max von Sydow
who, as leading Bergman actors, are conspicuously absent in this respect, had been his original intended stars as Emilie and Bishop Vergerus, but Ullmann was eventually unable to join due to other work obligations, while von Sydow didn't receive notification in time, apparently through mismanagement by his American agent. Bergman instead recruited newcomer Ewa Fröling
and Jan Malmsjö
, who is more widely known in Sweden as a highly gifted song and dance man, but who has also done many serious character parts on stage and on the screen. Bertil Guve, who gave a widely acclaimed performance as the boy Alexander, did not choose to pursue acting, but instead became a doctor of economics. However Pernilla Wallgren (later known as Pernilla August
), who played the attractive nanny Maj, went on to star in other films, including The Best Intentions
which Bergman wrote (but did not direct), and Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
as Anakin Skywalker's mother.
:
Bergman was nominated for both Directing
and Writing Original Screenplay but was not awarded. The film also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film.
(in Region 2) and The Criterion Collection
(in Region 1). The Criterion Collection has released two DVD editions of the film: a five-disc set that includes the theatrical version, the television version, and a behind-the-scenes film, The Making of Fanny and Alexander
as well as other supplements; and a two-disc set that includes only the 188-minute theatrical version and fewer supplements. The Criterion release marked the first time the television version of Fanny and Alexander had been available in North America.
Fantasy film
Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap...
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
written and directed by Ingmar Bergman
Ingmar Bergman
Ernst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer and producer for film, stage and television. Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera", he is recognized as one of the most accomplished and...
. It was originally conceived as a four-part TV movie and cut in that version, spanning 312 minutes. A 188-minute version was created later for cinematic release, although this version was in fact the one to be released first. The TV version has since been released as a one-part film; both the long and the "short" version have been shown in theatres throughout the world.
Plot
The story is set during 1907–09 (with an epilogueEpilogue
An epilogue, epilog or afterword is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature or drama, usually used to bring closure to the work...
in 1910), in a Swedish town. It deals with a young boy, Alexander (Bertil Guve), his sister Fanny (Pernilla Allwin), and their well-to-do family, the Ekdahls. The siblings' parents are both involved in theater and are happily married until the father's sudden death through a stroke. Shortly thereafter, their mother, Emilie (Ewa Fröling
Ewa Fröling
Ewa Fröling, Eva Marie Fröling , is a Swedish actress.She was born in Stockholm. Fröling has appeared on-screen in various roles throughout her career...
), finds a new suitor in the local bishop, a handsome widower, and accepts his proposal of marriage, moving into his ascetic home and putting the children under his stern and unforgiving rule. He is particularly hard on Alexander, trying to break his will by every means, something Emilie had not expected. The children and their mother soon live as virtual prisoners in the bishop's house until finally the Ekdahl family intervenes, urged by Emilie who has secretly been in touch with her former mother-in-law Helena and told her of their dire situation.
With help from an old friend, a Jewish antiques dealer, as well as some magic, the children are smuggled out of the house, but the Ekdahls' attempts to bribe or threaten the bishop into divorce fail. Emilie, by now pregnant, slips her husband a sedative and flees as he sleeps, after which a fire breaks out and the bishop is burnt to death. In the meantime, Alexander has met the Jewish merchant's mysterious nephew, Ismael Retzinsky, and fantasized about his stepfather's death – it is as if Alexander's fantasy comes true as he dreams it. The story ends on a mainly happy, life-affirming note, with the christening of Emilie's and the late bishop's daughter as well as the illegitimate daughter of Alexander's uncle, Gustav Adolf Ekdahl (Jarl Kulle); this fruit of the lustful man's affair with the nanny girl Maj is cheerfully adopted into the Ekdahl clan. During the festivities however, Alexander encounters the ghost of the bishop who pushes him to the floor, signalling that he will never be completely free of him.
Cast
The Ekdahl house- Gunn WållgrenGunn WållgrenGunn Wållgren, born Gunnel Margaret Haraldsdotter Wållgren , was a Swedish actress.Considered one of Sweden's finest and also to date most appreciated actresses, Wållgren was famous for her fragile and sensual way of acting, her warm and rich inner soulfulness, and her never failing ability of...
as Helena Ekdahl (grandmother) - Jarl Kulle as Gustav Adolf Ekdahl
- Mona MalmMona MalmMona Malm is a Swedish actress. She began her career with the Swedish Royal Dramatic Theater in 1957.-Selected filmography:* Smiles of a Summer Night * The Seventh Seal...
as Alma Ekdahl (Gustav's wife) - Angelica Wallgren as Eva Ekdahl (Gustav och Almas daughter)
- Maria Granlund as Petra
- Kristian Almgren as Putte
- Emelie Werkö as Jenny
- Allan EdwallAllan EdwallJohan Allan Edwall was a Swedish actor, director, author, composer and singer, best-known outside Sweden for the small roles he played in some of Ingmar Bergman's films such as Fanny and Alexander...
as Oscar Ekdahl - Ewa FrölingEwa FrölingEwa Fröling, Eva Marie Fröling , is a Swedish actress.She was born in Stockholm. Fröling has appeared on-screen in various roles throughout her career...
as Emelie Ekdahl (Oscar's wife) - Bertil Guve as Alexander
- Pernilla Allwin as Fanny
- Börje AhlstedtBörje AhlstedtNils Börje Ahlstedt is a Swedish actor who has worked extensively with the world famous director Ingmar Bergman in films like Fanny and Alexander , The Best Intentions , Sunday's Children and Saraband . Ahlstedt has also worked with the directors Bo Widerberg and Kay Pollak.Börje Ahlstedt was...
as Carl Ekdahl - Christina SchollinChristina SchollinChristina Schollin is a Swedish actress known to international audiences mainly through her appearances in motion pictures, such as Dear John, Song of Norway and Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander....
as Lydia Ekdahl (Carl's wife) - Sonya Hedenbratt as Aunt Emma
- Käbi LareteiKäbi LareteiKäbi Alma Laretei is an Estonian-born Swedish concert pianist.Her father was a diplomat in the service of the Republic of Estonia; when the Soviet Union invaded the country he and his family fled to Sweden. Laretei has had a long and distinguished career as a pianist and in the 1960s...
as Aunt Anna von Bohlen - Majlis Granlund as Miss Vega
- Svea HolstSvea HolstSvea Holst was a Swedish film actress. She appeared in 58 films between 1923 and 1987.-Selected filmography:* Crisis * A Ship to India * Music in Darkness * The Passion of Anna...
as Miss Ester - Kristina AdolphsonKristina AdolphsonKristina Adolphson is a Swedish film actress. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden.-Selected filmography:* Brink of Life * The Devil's Eye * The Pleasure Garden * Face to Face...
as Siri - Siv EricksSiv EricksSiv Ericks , born in Oxelösund, Sörmland, was a Swedish actress who performed in 66 Swedish films over a 53-year career.She began her film career with a leading role in the 1939 film Rosor varje kväll...
as Alida - Inga Ålenius as Lisen
- Eva von Hanno as Berta
- Pernilla AugustPernilla AugustPernilla August is a Swedish actress, director and script-writer. Being one of Sweden's leading actresses and a long time collaborator with director Ingmar Bergman, she won the Best Actress Award at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival for her role in his The Best Intentions...
as Maj - Lena OlinLena OlinLena Maria Jonna Olin is a Swedish actress.-Early life:Olin was born the youngest of three children, in Stockholm, Sweden. She is the daughter of actress Britta Holmberg and the director Stig Olin...
as Rosa - Patricia Gélin as statue
- Gösta PrüzeliusGösta PrüzeliusGösta Prüzelius was a Swedish actor. His first film part was in the 1945 film Flickorna i Småland. He played in films as diverse as Summer with Monika, Space Invasion of Lapland, Fanny and Alexander, and Ingmar Bergman's film version of The Magic Flute...
as Doctor Fürstenberg - Hans StrååtHans StrååtHans Strååt was a Swedish film actor. He appeared in 60 films between 1941 and 1987.-Selected filmography:* Port of Call * Miss April * Love Me! -External links:...
as priest - Carl Billquist as Jespersson, police
- Axel DübergAxel DübergAxel Düberg was a Swedish film actor. He was born and died in Stockholm, Sweden.-Selected filmography:* Dreams * Rabies * The Magician * The Virgin Spring...
as witness - Olle HildingOlle HildingOlle Hilding was a Swedish stage and film actor. He won the Eugene O'Neill Award in 1973.-Reference:...
as witness
The Bishop's house
- Jan MalmsjöJan MalmsjöJan Wilhelm Malmsjö is a Swedish stage and actor, musical star and singer. He is married to Marie Göranzon and father to Jonas Malmsjö.-Biography:...
as Biskop Edvard Vergérus - Kerstin TideliusKerstin TideliusKerstin Martha Tidelius is a Swedish actress.Born in Stockholm, she worked mainly on stage with a total of about 20 film and TV appearances...
as Henrietta Vergérus - Hans Henrik Lerfeldt as Elsa Bergius
- Marianne AminoffMarianne AminoffMarianne Aminoff was a Swedish film actress. She was born in Uddevalla, Sweden and died in Stockholm.-Selected filmography:* Face to Face * Autumn Sonata * Fanny and Alexander...
as Blenda Vergerus - Harriet AnderssonHarriet AnderssonHarriet Andersson is a Swedish actress, known outside Sweden for being part of one of director Ingmar Bergman's stock company....
as Justina - Mona Andersson as Karna (maid)
- Marianne Nielsen as Selma (maid)
- Marrit Ohlsson as Tander (kitchen maid)
- Linda Krüger as Pauline
- Pernilla WahlgrenPernilla WahlgrenPernilla Nina Elisabeth Wahlgren is a Swedish singer, actress and presenter. In 2004, she received the Ulla Billquist award.-Family:...
as Esmeralda - Peter StormarePeter Stormareis a Swedish film, stage, voice and television actor as well as a theatrical director, playwright and musician.- Early life :...
as young man - Krister Hell as young man
Jacobi's house
- Erland JosephsonErland JosephsonErland Josephson is a Swedish actor and author. He is best known to international audiences for his work in films directed by Ingmar Bergman, Andrei Tarkovsky, and Theodoros Angelopoulos.-Biography:...
as Isak Jacobi - Stina EkbladStina EkbladStina Ekblad ) is a Swedish-speaking Finnish actress. She received a Guldbagge Award for Best Actress in 1987 for her performances in Amorosa and Ormens väg på hälleberget and was nominated again in 1996 for her performance in Pensionat Oskar.Ekblad was born in the Ostrobothnian village of Solf in...
as Ismael Retzinsky - Mats BergmanMats BergmanMats Bergman, is a Swedish actor.He is the son of director Ingmar Bergman and Ellen Bergman, twin brother of actress Anna Bergman, and a half-brother of Swedish-Norwegian author Linn Ullmann.-Biography:...
as Aron Retzinsky - Viola Aberlé as Japanese woman
- Gerd AnderssonGerd AnderssonGerd Andersson is a Swedish film actress. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden and is the sister of Bibi Andersson.-Selected filmography:* Summer Interlude * Secrets of Women * Fanny and Alexander...
as Japanese woman - Ann-Louise Bergström as Japanese woman
- Marie-Hélène Breillat as Japanese woman
The Theatre
- Gunnar BjörnstrandGunnar BjörnstrandGunnar Björnstrand was a Swedish actor known for his frequent work with writer/director Ingmar Bergman. He was born in Stockholm. He appeared in over 180 films....
as Filip Landahl - Heinz HopfHeinz HopfHeinz Hopf was a German mathematician born in Gräbschen, Germany . He attended Dr. Karl Mittelhaus' higher boys' school from 1901 to 1904, and then entered the König-Wilhelm- Gymnasium in Breslau. He showed mathematical talent from an early age...
as Tomas Graal - Sune Mangs as Mr Salenius
- Nils Brandt as Mr Morsing
- Per Mattsson as Mikael Bergman
- Anna BergmanAnna BergmanAnna Bergman is a former Swedish actress. She is the daughter of film and theatre director Ingmar Bergman and choreographer-director Ellen Bergman, sister to Eva, Jan and Mats Bergman ; and half-sister to Daniel Bergman and Linn Ullmann.Bergman mostly appeared as a performer in several European...
as Hanna Schwartz - Lickå Sjöman as Grete Holm
- Georg ÅrlinGeorg ÅrlinGeorg Adolf Wilhelm Årlin was a Swedish film actor who appeared in 50 films between 1940 and 1988.A native of the southern city of Karlskrona, renowned as Sweden's only baroque city and site of the country's sole remaining naval base, Georg Årlin died in Lövestad at the age of 75.-Selected...
- Gus DahlströmGus DahlströmGus Dahlström was a Swedish film actor. He appeared in 47 films between 1942 and 1984.-Selected filmography:* Crisis * Emil i Lönneberga * The Man on the Roof -External links:...
- Ernst GüntherErnst GüntherErnst Harry Ingemar Günther was a Swedish actor. He appeared in 66 films and television shows between 1962 and 1999...
as Rector Magnificus - Hugo HassloHugo HassloHugo Hasslo was a Swedish operatic baritone.Hasslo studied in Stockholm with Hjaldis Ingebjart and Joseph Hislop and made his debut at the Stockholm Opera, as Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte, in 1940, where he remained until 1964, quickly establishing himself as first baritone.He was particularly...
as the singer
Production
Bergman intended the film to be his last feature, although he wrote several screenplays afterward and directed a number of TV specials. The film simultaneously documents many of Bergman's earlier star actors and a wide array of prominent Swedish film and stage actors of its era. Liv UllmannLiv Ullmann
Liv Johanne Ullmann is a Norwegian actress and film director, as well as one of the "muses" of the Swedish director Ingmar Bergman...
and Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow is a Swedish actor. He has also held French citizenship since 2002. He has starred in many films and had supporting roles in dozens more...
who, as leading Bergman actors, are conspicuously absent in this respect, had been his original intended stars as Emilie and Bishop Vergerus, but Ullmann was eventually unable to join due to other work obligations, while von Sydow didn't receive notification in time, apparently through mismanagement by his American agent. Bergman instead recruited newcomer Ewa Fröling
Ewa Fröling
Ewa Fröling, Eva Marie Fröling , is a Swedish actress.She was born in Stockholm. Fröling has appeared on-screen in various roles throughout her career...
and Jan Malmsjö
Jan Malmsjö
Jan Wilhelm Malmsjö is a Swedish stage and actor, musical star and singer. He is married to Marie Göranzon and father to Jonas Malmsjö.-Biography:...
, who is more widely known in Sweden as a highly gifted song and dance man, but who has also done many serious character parts on stage and on the screen. Bertil Guve, who gave a widely acclaimed performance as the boy Alexander, did not choose to pursue acting, but instead became a doctor of economics. However Pernilla Wallgren (later known as Pernilla August
Pernilla August
Pernilla August is a Swedish actress, director and script-writer. Being one of Sweden's leading actresses and a long time collaborator with director Ingmar Bergman, she won the Best Actress Award at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival for her role in his The Best Intentions...
), who played the attractive nanny Maj, went on to star in other films, including The Best Intentions
The Best Intentions
The Best Intentions is a 1992 Swedish drama film directed by Bille August and written by Ingmar Bergman. It is semi-autobiographical and tells the story of the complex courtship of Bergman's parents, Erik and Karin , and the difficult early years of their marriage, up to the point where Anna is...
which Bergman wrote (but did not direct), and Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the fourth film to be released in the Star Wars saga, as the first of a three-part prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as the first film in the saga in terms...
as Anakin Skywalker's mother.
Awards
The film was released in the United States in 1983 and won four Academy AwardsAcademy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
:
- Academy Award for Best Foreign Language FilmAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language FilmThe Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
(Director Ingmar BergmanIngmar BergmanErnst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer and producer for film, stage and television. Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera", he is recognized as one of the most accomplished and...
) - Best CinematographyAcademy Award for Best CinematographyThe Academy Award for Best Cinematography is an Academy Award awarded each year to a cinematographer for work in one particular motion picture.-History:...
(Sven NykvistSven NykvistSven Vilhem Nykvist was a Swedish cinematographer. He worked on over 120 films, but is known especially for his work with director Ingmar Bergman...
) - Best Art DirectionAcademy Award for Best Art DirectionThe Academy Awards are the oldest awards ceremony for achievements in motion pictures. The Academy Award for Best Art Direction recognizes achievement in art direction on a film. The films below are listed with their production year, so the Oscar 2000 for best art direction went to a film from 1999...
(Anna Asp, Susanne LingheimSusanne LingheimSusanne Lingheim was a Swedish art director. She won an Academy Award in the category Best Art Direction for the film Fanny and Alexander.-External links:...
) - Costume DesignAcademy Award for Costume DesignThe Academy Award for Best Costume Design is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievement in film costume design....
(Marik Vos-LundhMarik Vos-LundhMarik Vos-Lundh was a Swedish costume designer and production designer who won the Academy Award for Costume Design in 1983 for Fanny & Alexander.-Filmography:*The Virgin Spring...
)
Bergman was nominated for both Directing
Academy Award for Directing
The Academy Award for Achievement in Directing , usually known as the Best Director Oscar, is one of the Awards of Merit presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to directors working in the motion picture industry...
and Writing Original Screenplay but was not awarded. The film also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film.
Home media
The uncut TV version of the film is available in DVD editions released by Artificial EyeArtificial eye
Artificial eye may refer to:* Visual prosthesis, functioning implant designed to restore sight* Ocular prosthesis, non-functioning cosmetic replacement for a lost eye...
(in Region 2) and The Criterion Collection
The Criterion Collection
The Criterion Collection is a video-distribution company selling "important classic and contemporary films" to film aficionados. The Criterion series is noted for helping to standardize the letterbox format for home video, bonus features, and special editions...
(in Region 1). The Criterion Collection has released two DVD editions of the film: a five-disc set that includes the theatrical version, the television version, and a behind-the-scenes film, The Making of Fanny and Alexander
The Making of Fanny and Alexander
The Making of Fanny and Alexander is a 1986 Swedish documentary film directed by Ingmar Bergman which traces the making of his film Fanny and Alexander. It is also known as Document Fanny and Alexander, a direct translation of its Swedish title.-External links:*...
as well as other supplements; and a two-disc set that includes only the 188-minute theatrical version and fewer supplements. The Criterion release marked the first time the television version of Fanny and Alexander had been available in North America.