Thirst

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Cast & Crew

Eva Henning
Rut

Birger Malmsten
Bertil

Birgit Tengroth
Viola

Mimi Nelson
Valborg

Hasse Ekman
Dr. Rosengren

Bengt Eklund
Raoul

Gaby Stenberg
Astrid

Naima Wifstrand
Miss Henriksson

Sven-Eric Gamble
Glass Worker

Ingmar Bergman
Director

Herbert Grevenius
Writer

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Critic Reviews for Thirst

Audience Reviews for Thirst

• Aug 23, 2012

  In "Thirst," Rut(Eva Henning), a dancer, loves Raoul(Bengt Eklund). She is heartbroken when he tells her he is married with children. Even worse, is when the Mrs.(Gaby Stenberg) shows up at their apartment unannounced. At least, her next relationship works out better, as she gets married to Bertil(Birger Malmsten), an assistant lecturer. So while they talk about their finances on their honeymoon, she also relives the torment of a botched abortion that has left her sterile. Three years into his directing career, this is more like the Ingmar Bergman we are very familiar with. Sure, a lot of "Thirst" is pure melodrama but there is also a lot of metaphysics included here in this depiction of a radiply changing post-war Sweden. In fact, this seems positively provocative not only for then(what with one character being a lesbian and all) but maybe even a little for today, framed around not condemning Rut for having an abortion and ending with a conversation involving a minister who seeks to reform the notion of marriage, with the chauvinistic Raoul being the villain of the piece. While there is one great scene involving a crowd outside of a train, the editing leaves something to be desired as the scenes involving Viola(Birgit Tengroth), Bertil's ex who might have endocrinitis, no elephantitis, no wait, encephalitis, feel like a different movie entirely. And either all of the characters are from the same social circle or Sweden has a really small population.
  Walter M Super Reviewer
• Jul 13, 2012

  the film starts a bit slow and meanders through the first half, but when it picks up it becomes a very interesting character study involving such difficult topics as suicide and abortion. bergman flexes his visual style in new ways in this film. overall very interesting.
  danny d Super Reviewer
• Nov 07, 2011

  "Thirst" is one of Bergman's first films the Director made and is a complex and detailed look into the lives of several troubled and isolated characters. The film utilizes four different narrative structures in which the various characters are within and yet all are connected through their despair and longing for something more. The film captures the characters and their problems, both with one another and with themselves in such an intricate and personal way in which only Bergman could capture. While not quite up with his masterworks you know you are watching a Director more than capable and advancing in the field of cinema at a rapid and yet refined pace!
  

  Chris B Super Reviewer
• Dec 13, 2009

  Interesting film, but this is clearly not the very best of the great Bergman. Several relationships are examined under the microscope (so far, so Bergman). The film jumps around between the relationships in a slightly distracting way, but eventually you get to the bottom of who used to be with whom etc. Gosh it's bleak out there, Bergman seems to share Strindberg's views on marriage and relationships at this time - the references to Strindberg stress that point. There's adultery, bitter rows between partners, lesbianism (inexplicit) and suicide. It ought to have me at the edge of my seat, but somehow doesn't quite do the business for me in the way that most Bergman films do. Perhaps this one hasn't aged well. Worth seeing for the dedicated Bergman fan - it's pretty short and has its moments. If you are looking for an initial view of Bergman, look elsewhere.
  Cassandra M Super Reviewer

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