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Cries & Whispers (1972)
"Viskningar och rop" (original title)

R  |   |  Drama  |  5 March 1973 (Sweden)
8.2
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Ratings: 8.2/10 from 18,432 users  
Reviews: 196 user | 71 critic

When a woman dying of cancer in early twentieth-century Sweden is visited by her two sisters, long-repressed feelings between the siblings rise to the surface.

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Title: Cries & Whispers (1972)

Cries & Whispers (1972) on IMDb 8.2/10

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Cast

Cast overview:
...
Agnes
Kari Sylwan ...
Anna
...
...
Maria (and her mother)
Anders Ek ...
Isak, the priest
Inga Gill ...
Story teller
...
David, the doctor
...
Joakim, Maria's husband
Georg Årlin ...
Fredrik, Karin's husband
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Storyline

In turn-of-the-century Sweden, cancer-stricken, dying Agnes is visited in her isolated rural mansion by her sisters Karin and Maria. As Agnes' condition deteriorates and pain management becomes increasingly more difficult, fear and revulsion grip the sisters, who seem incapable of empathy, and Agnes' only comfort and solace comes from her maid Anna. As the end draws closer, long repressed feelings of grudging resentment and mistrust cause jealousy, selfishness, and bitterness between the siblings to surface. Written by duke1029

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

A haunting and shattering film experience.

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

5 March 1973 (Sweden)  »

Also Known As:

Cries & Whispers  »

Box Office

Budget:

$400,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Bergman, who produced the film with his own money, could not find an American distributor as they felt it was too uncommercial. Roger Corman, who had just left American-International Pictures to set up his own New World releasing company, was in the market for a prestige picture to give his new operation some class. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Agnes: It is Monday morning, and I am in pain.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Stand (1994) See more »

Soundtracks

Mazurka in A minor, Op.17/4
by Frédéric Chopin
Played by Kabi Laretei
See more »

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User Reviews

 
A true masterpiece
20 September 2000 | by See all my reviews

This is one of the most affecting films ever made. I saw it about a year ago and I still can't get it out of my mind. It is one of the few films that manages to ponder profound philosophical questions without becoming self-consciously arty and pretentious. Amazingly, Cries and Whispers is poignant and tender, yet also tough minded. If you haven't seen this film yet, I urge you to rent it. If you like this film I recommend Wild Strawberries, which is an earlier Bergman film.


19 of 28 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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