The Rite was Ingmar Bergman's first made-for-television project. It explores an issue that he continued to return to throughout his career: the artist's place in society and the often troubled relationship betwen men and women. Filmed with a cast of just four principal actors the story revolves around three close friends including a husband and wife who make up a theatre troupe. They have been prohibited from performing a short play called 'The Rite' and are brought before the l
Ingmar Bergman was always greatly concerned with the role of the artist in society, and the importance of creative freedom. Never was this theme more evident than in his short and mostly forgotten 1969 TV film, "The Rite." The film concerns three actors in a theatrical troupe who have been banned from performing a ritualistic short play which deals with sexuality and mysticism. The only other character in the film is the censor, a bureaucratic official who is meeting with the actors to discuss their play. The film has a claustrophobic, stage-bound feel, as most of it takes place in the actors' hotel rooms as they endlessly quarrel and discuss their censored play. These scenes are typical of Bergman's melodramatic tendencies, but the film's best scenes are the ones between the actors and the censor, a taut showdown which culminates in a creepy, sensual performance of the actual rite. This memorable scene must certainly have been an inspiration for Stanley Kubrick's final film, "Eyes Wide Shut." The film is dark and moody, with beautiful shadowy cinematography which pens in these characters until the final artistic expression sets them free. Definitely a must for Bergman fans, this film should be forgotten no longer thanks to Tartan's nicely produced DVD.
We will publish your review of The Rite [1969] on DVD within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
Ingmar Bergman's drama-about-a-drama, originally made for Swedish television in 1969, asks questions about obscenity, censorship and the role of the artist. Three actors from a theatre troupe that has had its latest production, 'The Rite', banned after being charged with obscenity are each interrogated privately by a provincial magistrate. The trio are incestuously involved: Thea (Ingrid Thulin) is married to Hans (Gunnar Björnstrand) but is having an affair with Sebastian (Anders Ek), who killed her former husband in a crime of passion. The judge, playing on the insecurities and vanity of the three actors, brings to light their deepest, darkest secrets. Bergman deliberately does not reveal the obscene nature of the troupe's production, leaving the viewer to imagine for themselves what they consider obscenity to be.
A theatre company find that their play has come to the attention of the authorities for being obscene and they are questioned by the local magistrate. Soon everyone is revealing secrets...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
