As many of you may know I like to give some points of history on some of the films I first viewed when I was younger.
HETS ( aka TORMENT) was made in 1944; back then non-English speaking films were not released in the USA,until a few years passed: HETS was released in 1947, I saw it then in a small theatre on 42 nd street. I caught the 9 AM showing, the movie house was right across the street from the Employment Agency I went to first, The admission price was only $ .18 cents (price before noon)
I was 19 years old & a tale of a cruel High School teacher & the torments he gave to his young students appealed to me.. (another side note) I had thought there might be a caning or spanking scene,I was disappointed then, that there were none.
Now its 62 years later & I have just seen this film.
As we all know it is Ingmar Bergman's first screenplay. Without a doubt
it shows some of the greatness that was to come.
Alf Sjoberg directed,(he was one of Swedens best theatre & film directors.
I am not one of Mr.Berman's biggest fans, I do appreciate his artistry in fashioning a good screenplay & fine films.
My major objection is that he seems to see only the dark side of life, there was always some sadness in his films.In HETS the movie ends sadly. To me life is not always sad & gloomy,I always seem to find some joy in living, & like my films to be the same. There are some tales that do have sadness in them, an occasional sad drama is fine.
The acting is exceptionally good. Sig Jarrel is excellent as the sadistic teacher, Alf Kjellin (he was a leading player in many Englis & Hollywood films & TV up to his death about 10 yrs ago.
Mai Zetterling an star of many films & Television for many years, is the tragic young heroine.
one beef I do have & that is also with many films portraying students many seem to look older than they are supposed to be.
One more problem.There are scenes towards the ending where they complain HOW hot it is, If so, how come a few seemed to be dressed in heavy winter clothes, One adult puts on an overcoat & scarf over his suit &^ a sweater.
Aside from that this is a very good film & those that are Bergman devotees this is a must see,
Ratings ***1/2 (out of 4)92 points (out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)
HETS ( aka TORMENT) was made in 1944; back then non-English speaking films were not released in the USA,until a few years passed: HETS was released in 1947, I saw it then in a small theatre on 42 nd street. I caught the 9 AM showing, the movie house was right across the street from the Employment Agency I went to first, The admission price was only $ .18 cents (price before noon)
I was 19 years old & a tale of a cruel High School teacher & the torments he gave to his young students appealed to me.. (another side note) I had thought there might be a caning or spanking scene,I was disappointed then, that there were none.
Now its 62 years later & I have just seen this film.
As we all know it is Ingmar Bergman's first screenplay. Without a doubt
it shows some of the greatness that was to come.
Alf Sjoberg directed,(he was one of Swedens best theatre & film directors.
I am not one of Mr.Berman's biggest fans, I do appreciate his artistry in fashioning a good screenplay & fine films.
My major objection is that he seems to see only the dark side of life, there was always some sadness in his films.In HETS the movie ends sadly. To me life is not always sad & gloomy,I always seem to find some joy in living, & like my films to be the same. There are some tales that do have sadness in them, an occasional sad drama is fine.
The acting is exceptionally good. Sig Jarrel is excellent as the sadistic teacher, Alf Kjellin (he was a leading player in many Englis & Hollywood films & TV up to his death about 10 yrs ago.
Mai Zetterling an star of many films & Television for many years, is the tragic young heroine.
one beef I do have & that is also with many films portraying students many seem to look older than they are supposed to be.
One more problem.There are scenes towards the ending where they complain HOW hot it is, If so, how come a few seemed to be dressed in heavy winter clothes, One adult puts on an overcoat & scarf over his suit &^ a sweater.
Aside from that this is a very good film & those that are Bergman devotees this is a must see,
Ratings ***1/2 (out of 4)92 points (out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)