The Ritual ( Riten ) ( The Rite )

The Ritual (DVD) (*)

~~$26.99~~ $20.97

Original Title: Riten
Alternate Title: The Rite
Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
Swedish ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
74 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Filmographies
Interactive Menu
Production Notes
Scene Access
Trailer(s)
Booklet

Movie filmed in 1969 and produced in:
Sweden ( Scandinavia, Iceland )

Directed By:
Ingmar Bergman

Written By:
Ingmar Bergman

Actors:
Ingmar Bergman ..... Priest
Gunnar Björnstrand ..... Hans Winkelmann
Anders Ek ..... Sebastian Fisher
Erik Hell ..... Judge Dr. Abrahamson
Ingrid Thulin ..... Thea

Synopsis:

The Ritual is an alternate English-language title for Ingmar Bergman's The Rite (Riten). Made for Swedish television in 1969, this short film was Bergman's revenge against those who opposed his management of the Royal Dramatic Theatre. The storyline involves three actors whose recent production has been judged obscene by the powers-that-be. Bergman deliberately obscures the "controversial" quality of the production itself, forcing the viewers to assess their own opinions over what is obscene and what isn't. Intending to shock and provoke his audience, Bergman was appalled that many viewers laughed at The Rite, misinterpreting it as a satirical comedy.

A judge in an unnamed country interviews three actors, together and singly, provoking them while investigating a pornographic performance for which they may face a fine. Their relationships are complicated: Sebastian, volatile, a heavy drinker, in debt, guilty of killing his former partner, is having an affair with that man's wife. She is Thea, high strung, prone to fits, and seemingly fragile, currently married to Sebastian's new partner, Hans. Hans is the troupe leader, wealthy, self-contained, growing tired. The judge plays on the trio's insecurities, but when they finally, in a private session with him, perform the masque called The Rite, they may have their revenge

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 13 May, 2008.

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