The Touch
Encyclopedia
The Touch is a 1971 film directed by Ingmar Bergman
and starring Max von Sydow
, Bibi Andersson
, Elliot Gould, and Sheila Reid
.
, is in contrast an impetuous man, uncompromising, overbearing, and tormented by inner contradictions and compulsions. Karin and David become clandestine lovers, but aren't appropriate for each other. Before they meet David attempted suicide and Karin was unhappy to be reduced to a wife. They flower in their new love and it destroys their lives.
, as especially at the beginning of their affair
sex is more of a problem than a release for the lovers.
The central metaphor of the film is a medieval wooden statue of Mary
, recently excavated after being buried for centuries, analogous to Gould's and Andersson's potential to be lovers or man and woman. But with the disinterment of the Mary, insect larva
e come alive inside her, corroding her from within, much as David and Karin's awakening causes them similar destruction.
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...
and starring 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...
, Bibi Andersson
Bibi Andersson
Bibi Andersson is a Swedish actress.-Early life:Bibi Andersson was born as Berit Elisabeth Andersson in Kungsholmen, Stockholm, the daughter of Karin , a social worker, and Josef Andersson, a businessman...
, Elliot Gould, and Sheila Reid
Sheila Reid
Sheila Reid is a Scottish actress, best known for her performance as Madge Barron in Benidorm.-Career:Reid has had a long and distinguished career in theatre, film and television, and worked with Laurence Olivier at the Royal National Theatre. In 1980, she played the long-suffering wife of Trevor...
.
Plot
Andreas and Karin Vergerus (von Sydow and Andersson) live in fine rapport, their personalities matching well. Both are quiet, contemplative, and very rational persons, not liable to act spontaneously. The intruder, "David Kovac", played by Elliott GouldElliott Gould
Elliott Gould is an American actor. He began acting in Hollywood films during the 1960s, and has remained prolific ever since. Some of his most notable films include M*A*S*H and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, for which he received an Oscar nomination...
, is in contrast an impetuous man, uncompromising, overbearing, and tormented by inner contradictions and compulsions. Karin and David become clandestine lovers, but aren't appropriate for each other. Before they meet David attempted suicide and Karin was unhappy to be reduced to a wife. They flower in their new love and it destroys their lives.
Themes
Instead the question of why Karin turns away from Andreas seems intentionally perplexing. The dialogue and acting of the lovers is cerebral and cold, as if they were reciting dazedly on a stage, astounding themselves with their actions and feelings, and acting on an impulse isolated from their personalities. This impulse or drive is not erosEros
Eros , in Greek mythology, was the Greek god of love. His Roman counterpart was Cupid . Some myths make him a primordial god, while in other myths, he is the son of Aphrodite....
, as especially at the beginning of their affair
Affair
Affair may refer to professional, personal, or public business matters or to a particular business or private activity of a temporary duration, as in family affair, a private affair, or a romantic affair.-Political affair:...
sex is more of a problem than a release for the lovers.
The central metaphor of the film is a medieval wooden statue of Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
, recently excavated after being buried for centuries, analogous to Gould's and Andersson's potential to be lovers or man and woman. But with the disinterment of the Mary, insect larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e come alive inside her, corroding her from within, much as David and Karin's awakening causes them similar destruction.
Cast (in credits order)
- Elliott GouldElliott GouldElliott Gould is an American actor. He began acting in Hollywood films during the 1960s, and has remained prolific ever since. Some of his most notable films include M*A*S*H and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, for which he received an Oscar nomination...
– David Kovac - Bibi AnderssonBibi AnderssonBibi Andersson is a Swedish actress.-Early life:Bibi Andersson was born as Berit Elisabeth Andersson in Kungsholmen, Stockholm, the daughter of Karin , a social worker, and Josef Andersson, a businessman...
– Karin Vergerus - Max von SydowMax von SydowMax 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...
– Andreas Vergerus - Sheila ReidSheila ReidSheila Reid is a Scottish actress, best known for her performance as Madge Barron in Benidorm.-Career:Reid has had a long and distinguished career in theatre, film and television, and worked with Laurence Olivier at the Royal National Theatre. In 1980, she played the long-suffering wife of Trevor...
– Sara Kovac
Rest of cast listed alphabetically
- Margareta Byström – Secretary to Andreas Vergerus (uncredited)
- Elsa Ebbesen – Hospital Matron (uncredited)
- Dennis Gotobed – English civil servant (uncredited)
- Staffan HallerstamStaffan HallerstamStaffan Hallerstam is a Swedish actor and physician. He is father to Leo Hallerstam.When Hallerstam became an adult, he participated in include Gamle Adam and Min käre man at Vasateatern in Stockholm and he participated in Bamse at Fria teatern in Högdalen in Stockholm...
– Anders Vergerus (uncredited) - Barbro Hiort af OrnäsBarbro Hiort af OrnäsBarbro Hiort af Ornäs is a Swedish actress. She was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. Along with Bibi Andersson, Eva Dahlbeck, and Ingrid Thulin, she won the Best Actress Award at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival for the film Brink of Life....
– Karin's mother (uncredited) - Åke Lindström – Dr. Holm (uncredited)
- Ann-Christin Lobråten – Museum employee (uncredited)
- Karin Nilsson – Neighbour (uncredited)
- Maria Nolgård – Agnes Vergerus (uncredited)
- Erik Nyhlén – The Archeologist (uncredited)
- Bengt Ottekil – Bell boy (uncredited)
- Alan Simon – Therapist at museum (uncredited)
- Per Sjöstrand – Therapist (uncredited)
- Aino TaubeAino TaubeAino Taube was a Swedish film and theatre actress. She appeared in 50 films between 1931 and 1988.-Selected filmography:* They Staked Their Lives * Secrets of Women...
– Woman on stairs (uncredited) - Mimmo Wåhlander – Nurse (uncredited)
- Carol Zavis – Stewardess (uncredited)