Hour of the Wolf

Infobox Film
name = Hour of the Wolf


caption =
director = Ingmar Bergman
producer = Lars-Owe Carlberg
writer = Ingmar Bergman
starring = Max von Sydow
Liv Ullmann
Gertrud Fridh
Georg Rydeberg
Erland Josephson
Ingrid Thulin
music = Lars Johan Werle
cinematography = Sven Nykvist
editing = Ulla Ryghe
distributor = MGM
released = February 19, 1968 (Sweden)
runtime = 90 min.
country = Sweden
language = Swedish
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
amg_id = 1:23321
imdb_id = 0063759

"Vargtimmen" ("Hour of the Wolf") is a Swedish film from 1968. It is Ingmar Bergman's only gothic horror film. "Hour of the Wolf" originated from a manuscript with the working title "The Maneaters". Bergman started work on it in the spring of 1965, during which time he suffered a minor nervous breakdown. In the end, the manuscript resulted in not one but two movies, "Persona" and "Hour of the Wolf". Together with the former work, "Hour of the Wolf" is probably one of Bergman's most personal films, though he deals with himself in one way or another in almost all of his films. It is filmed as if it were a true story about an artist who has disappeared. The story of the artist and his life just before he vanishes is based on interviews with his wife, and on his diaries.

Johan Borg (von Sydow) is a painter who is haunted by what seem to be demons. He only tells his wife Alma (Ullman) about them, and the fear makes him unable to sleep. He and Alma stay up during parts of the night, especially "The Hour of the Wolf", during which, it is said, most people either are born or die. In other scenes, we are shown examples of Borg's bizarre behaviour, which lead the viewer to question Borg's sanity.

Borg has given names to some of his demons, like "the birdman" or "the lady with the hat". During the film, he is also approached by a baron, von Merkens (Josephson), who lives in a nearby castle. The painter and his wife Alma visit them and their strange household, but it is not made clear whether or not they actually exist.

As in previous movies, Bergman once more discusses the role of the artist and the problems he faces.

Cast

*"Max von Sydow" ("Johan Borg")
*"Liv Ullmann" ("Alma Borg")
*"Gertrud Fridh" ("Corinne von Merkens")
*"Georg Rydeberg" ("Lindhorst, archivist")
*"Erland Josephson" ("Baron von Merkens")
*"Naima Wifstrand" ("Old Lady with Hat")
*"Ulf Johansson" ("Therapist Heerbrand")
*"Gudrun Brost" ("Gamla Fru von Merkens")
*"Bertil Anderberg" ("Ernst von Merkens")
*"Ingrid Thulin" ("Veronica Vogler")

Supporting cast:
*"Agda Helin" ("Von merken's maid") (uncredited)
*"Lenn Hjortzberg" ("Musical leader") Kreisler (uncredited)
*"Mikael Rundquist" ("Boy in dream") (uncredited)
*"Mona Seilitz" ("Corpse in mortuary") (uncredited)
*"Folke Sundquist" ("Tamino") (uncredited)

External links