Media gallery for
The Ritual

Thea (Ingrid Thulin).

Erik Hell’s (The Judge) first role for Bergman was as a crewman in A Ship to India, 1947.

Two parts of Bergman’s trinity. Sebastian (Anders Ek) the unstable alcoholic, and the vunerable Thea (Ingrid Thulin).

"More or less consciously I divided myself into three characters. Sebastian Fischer (Anders Ek) is irresponsible, lecherous, unpredictable, infantile, emotionally disturbed, always on the verge of a nervous breakdown, bu the is also creative, deeply anarchistic, epicurean, lazy, amiable, soft and brutal. Hans Winkelmann (Gunnar Björnstrand) is orderly, strictly disciplined, with a deep sense of responsability, social aware, good humored and patient. The woman, Thea (Ingrid Thulin) is, I believe, a half-conscious attempt to depict my own intuition."

Bergman makes an appearance in The Ritual as the black-dressed priest.

Sebastian (Anders Ek) and Hans (Gunnar Björnstrand).

Thea (Ingrid Thulin). As motifs, metaphors, and symbols, mirrors are a recurring feature of Bergman’s films.

Two parts of Bergman’s trinity. Sebastian (Anders Ek) the unstable alcoholic, and the vunerable Thea (Ingrid Thulin).

Erik Hell’s (The Judge) first role for Bergman was as a crewman in A Ship to India, 1947.

Thea (Ingrid Thulin) and Hans (Gunnar Björnstrand).

The judge (Erik Hell): ’I would like to admit that even within my profession there is a moment of cruelty. To lecture, humiliate, judge and investigate. The desire of cruelty. How else would it be possible? I ask you, you artists. You have to know. You know. Sebastian Fisher. Claudio Monteverdi. Hans Winkelmann. Start your performance.’

The Judge (Erik Hell) and Hans (Gunnar Björnstrand).

Sebastian (Anders Ek): ’I have no religion. I don’t belong to any faith. I don’t need a god, salvation or eternal life. I am my own god, I supply my own angels and demons.’

Five good friends: Bergman, Sven Nykvist, Gunnar Björnstrand, Ingrid Thulin, and Anders Ek.

At the time The Ritual was filmed Ek (Sebastian) had already appeared in twenty stage and screen productions for Bergman.

Bergman, Anders Ek (Sebastian), and others during the filming of The Ritual.

Bergman, Sven Nykvist, and others during the filming of The Ritual.

Bergman's shooting script.

’An interrogation room. Grey walls. Some office furniture.’ From the handwritten script for The Ritual.