The Ritual
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Ingmar Bergman
Ingrid Thulin
Anders Ek
Gunnar Björnstrand
Erik Hell
Ingmar Bergman
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
A performance by the theatrical company Les Riens is halted when one of their pieces is judged obscene. Magistrate Abramsson summons the troupe, consisting of Sebastian Fischer, Hans Winkelmann, and Hans' neurotic wife, Thea. To show the gravity of the case the judge investigates the artists' personal histories, finding that Sebastian has been convicted of manslaughter, that Thea and Sebastian are lovers, and that Thea was once married to her present husband's former partner. Confronting the offenders, Abramsson goads Sebastian into a violent outburst, tricks Hans into offering him a bribe, and attempts to rape Thea during her epileptic seizure. In retaliation the trio performs the censored piece, "The Ritual." Hans and Sebastian don beaked masks and enormous wooden phalli, and Thea appears bare-breasted. At the conclusion of the play, the judge is found dead of a heart attack.
Director
Ingmar Bergman
Cast
Ingrid Thulin
Anders Ek
Gunnar Björnstrand
Erik Hell
Ingmar Bergman
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
First shown as Riten on Swedish television in March 1969.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1969
Released in United States September 1969
Shown at New York Film Festival September 18 & 20, 1969.
Bergman originally produced this for television.
m 2030
Released on Swedish television March 25, 1969.
Released in United States September 1969 (Shown at New York Film Festival September 18 & 20, 1969.)
Released in United States 1969
