1966·85 min·Released

Persona

“Ingmar Bergman's most personal and original film.”

Drama

A young nurse, Alma, is put in charge of Elisabeth Vogler: an actress who is seemingly healthy in all respects, but will not talk. As they spend time together, Alma speaks to Elisabeth constantly, never receiving any answer.

8.1(2,427 votes)

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Why we recommend it

✓Worth watching — solid reviews and rating
✓TMDB rating 8.1/10 from 2,427 votes
✗Dialogue-driven scenes do not justify premium pricing.
✗Premium formats add little value for this title.
ℹStrong audience ratings support a theatrical watch.
·Limited technical metadata reduces recommendation confidence.

Cast & Crew

Bibi Andersson

Alma

Liv Ullmann

Elisabet Vogler

Margaretha Krook

The Doctor

Gunnar Björnstrand

Herr Vogler

Jörgen Lindström

Elisabet's Son (uncredited)

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CinemaSerf

Written on 8/6/2023

This is one of my favourite Bergman films that darkly and potently showcases the skills of two women at the top of their game. "Elisabeth" (Liv Ullmann) is an acclaimed stage actress who, mid-performance, is struck dumb. Nobody is quite sure what has caused this, but a nurse is duly hired to take care of her. "Alma" (Bibi Andersson) arrives and soon comes to believe that the silence of her charge is her choice. She simply doesn't want to talk! Devoid of visitors, "Alma" constantly chatters to "Elisabeth" and a bond starts to develop between the two, outwardly profoundly different, women that challenges both of their preconceived ideas of the other. The latter is keen to emulate the former, the former is ultimately keen to prevent her new friend from doing precisely that. Why? What might have caused "Elisabeth" to take such an impenetrable refuge? Essentially this two hander is a monologue; there is precious little by way of contribution from anyone else as the characterisations intensify and the story becomes one of attrition, to an extent, but of cruelty - and of evaluating the sources and causes of cruelty, as well as providing us with a poignantly sensitive look at intimacy and maybe even optimism. I'm certain that there are other depths and allegorical aspects to this that I didn't necessarily appreciate, but unlike with many of this director's films, I found the personas represented here to have more relevance and humanity that in many of his previous works. Coupled with the condensed nature of the storytelling, a strongly complementary score and some effective outdoor cinematography this makes for a compelling film to watch.

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Theatrical · confirmed
Theatrical
Persona
March 6, 1967
Physical · estimated
Physical
Persona
November 20, 2018
Streaming
Now streaming on Artiflix
Persona

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Persona

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