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The Sacrifice

Play trailer 1:51 Poster for The Sacrifice PG 1986 2h 25m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
As a wealthy Swedish family celebrates the birthday of their patriarch Alexander (Erland Josephson, Cries and Whispers), news of the outbreak of World War III reaches their remote Baltic island -- and the happy mood turns to horror. The family descends into a state of psychological devastation, brilliantly evoked by Tarkovsky's arresting palette of luminous greys washing over the bleak landscape around their home. (The film's masterful cinematography is by Sven Nykvist, Ingmar Bergman's longtime collaborator). For Alexander, a philosopher troubled about man's lack of spirituality, the prospect of certain extinction compels the ultimate sacrifice, and he enters into a Faustian bargain with God to save his loved ones from the fear which grips them. The director's last film, made as he was dying of cancer, The Sacrifice is Tarkovsky's personal statement, a profoundly moving, redemptive tragedy steeped in unforgettable imagery and heart-wrenching emotion.

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The Sacrifice

The Sacrifice

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Critics Consensus

Formally impressive, visually accomplished, and narratively rewarding, The Sacrifice places a fittingly solid capstone on a brilliant filmmaking career.

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Critics Reviews

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Penelope Houston Sight & Sound 07/07/2018
There are echoes of Bergman (of course) and of Chekhov, and once or twice I found myself thinking, most unexpectedly, of Heartbreak House. Go to Full Review
Chris Vognar Dallas Morning News 06/07/2018
This is pure Tarkovsky, with all the perfectly composed long camera takes and ineffable mystery of the soul that defined his work. Go to Full Review
Richard Corliss TIME Magazine 08/04/2015
In The Sacrifice, the cryptic Tarkovsky style helps create a towering cathedral. Go to Full Review
Lee Jutton Film Inquiry 11/22/2024
Tarkovsky’s work redefined how the language of cinema can be used to tell stories. He only made seven feature films during his lifetime, yet even if he had only made The Sacrifice, he’d have earned his place among the greats. Go to Full Review
Diane Carson KDHX (St. Louis) 11/06/2024
... Few films deliver such an exquisite encounter with a cinematic artist of the highest order. Go to Full Review
Laurie Horn Miami Herald 05/19/2023
3/4
The most lasting answers in The Sacrifice ultimately are not the verbal questions that confound [Tarkovsky], but the visual beauties, one by one, that he shows us so clearly. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Joe A. @JosephAndor 2d Andrei Tarkovsky’s “Sacrifice” tackles fear, anxiety, and humanity. This film is Andrei’s last; which he knew. He does not spend time telling you what’s happening, but showing you. At times this film can get very philosophical. These long shots, leave you wondering what you would do in these situations. This movie is able to make you feel emotion with everything down to the coloring. Andrei’s last film does not hold back. Abruptly saying so much he felt to put into the world. Because of this you get something so special. A cinematic experience that few other films hold where it uses the confines of film itself with images, emotion, and tone coming from what we see and not what is narrative. This is not to say there is none. Tarkovsky’s film follows the concept of a man who is willing to sacrifice his life, home, and family to save humanity and the moral and psychological reasoning behind it. There is one scene where they receive the news of war on the TV. Instead of proclaiming this is tragic. We get a beautiful shot of each reaction. This is to also say how amazing this film is. Compared to very other film from the 80’s, visually this movie clears the board (typically all of Tarskovkys films) the house burning scenes will forever go down as one of the most stunning, deviating, speechless, and awe scenes of all time. As I’ve stating however, this film is beyond unique. If if they way everything is presented seems in lack of a better term slow, I understand how that can turn viewers off. But to me, the pace and structure signify the deeply rooted and emotional complexity of the eternal themes that will always be held in humanity forever. Andrei really showed what he needed too knowing that this would be his last (brain tumor) rest in peace. You will go down as one of the best visionaries in art. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 19 Success in 2 hours and 25 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Swedish and American English audio versions with American English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $139,300.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Daniel B @observor May 20 The imagery composition is exquisite. I won't pretend to understand it all on one viewing, but it certainly was impressive. I suggest reading the Wikipedia plot summary beforehand so you at least know who the characters are since it isn't explicit. See more Esra Y Apr 10 I absolutely adore Tarkovsky's artful, inspired, one of a kind cinema, his themes, symbols he often used, free verse poetry like dialogues but this one kind of lost me in second half. See more Andriyanto O Mar 7 Its so espressive and totaly excited See more Lemon C Mar 3 one of best Tarkovsky film See more Read all reviews
The Sacrifice

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Movie Info

Synopsis As a wealthy Swedish family celebrates the birthday of their patriarch Alexander (Erland Josephson, Cries and Whispers), news of the outbreak of World War III reaches their remote Baltic island -- and the happy mood turns to horror. The family descends into a state of psychological devastation, brilliantly evoked by Tarkovsky's arresting palette of luminous greys washing over the bleak landscape around their home. (The film's masterful cinematography is by Sven Nykvist, Ingmar Bergman's longtime collaborator). For Alexander, a philosopher troubled about man's lack of spirituality, the prospect of certain extinction compels the ultimate sacrifice, and he enters into a Faustian bargain with God to save his loved ones from the fear which grips them. The director's last film, made as he was dying of cancer, The Sacrifice is Tarkovsky's personal statement, a profoundly moving, redemptive tragedy steeped in unforgettable imagery and heart-wrenching emotion.
Director
Andrei Tarkovsky
Producer
Anna-Lena Wibom
Screenwriter
Andrei Tarkovsky
Distributor
Orion Pictures
Production Co
Josephson & Nykvist HB, Svenska Filminstitutet, Sandrews, Sveriges Television, Argos Films, Film Four International
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Swedish
Release Date (Theaters)
May 9, 1986, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 25, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$139.3K
Runtime
2h 25m
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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