Synopsis
At the end of the middle ages, Ursula is accused of having poisoned her own husband. She claims she is innocent, but to prove it, she must submit to a ritual: trial by fire, walking on fire along a path leading directly to a crucifix. A film that has been much commended for the visual creativity shown by the director in successive blending in of images involving Ursula, her husband, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. Much applauded, also: the performance of Jenny Hasselqvist, thus described by French director René Clair: “We shall never forget her flaming eyes, the severity of her spirit, her abrupt and alarmed expressions, like an animal under threat.”
Ratings
IMDb6.8/10
10 audience votes
Key crew
- Victor SjöströmDirector
- Hjalmar BergmanWriter
- Victor SjöströmWriter
Cast
- Jenny HasselqvistUrsula
- Ivan HedqvistAnton
- Tore SvennbergMayor
- Gösta EkmanBertram
- Knut LindrothCast
- Waldemar WohlströmCast
- Nils AstherApprentice
- Torsten BergströmThe Herald
- Nils LundellAgitator
- Edvin AdolphsonMan at the inn
- Bror BergerExecutioner
- Helga BrofeldtWoman outside church
Stills
Themes
silent film