The Best Intentions
| The Best Intentions | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Bille August |
| Produced by | Ingrid Dahlberg |
| Written by | Ingmar Bergman |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Jörgen Persson |
| Distributed by |
The Samuel Goldwyn Company (US) Artificial Eye (UK) |
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Release date
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Running time
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323 minutes (television) 174 minutes (theatrical) |
| Country | Sweden |
| Language | Swedish |
| Budget | kr 67 million |
The Best Intentions (Swedish: Den goda viljan) is a 1992 Swedish dramatic film directed by Bille August and written by Ingmar Bergman. It is semi-autobiographical, telling the story of the complex relationship between Bergman's parents, Erik Bergman and Karin Åkerblom, who are renamed Henrik and Anna in the film but retain their true surnames. The film documents the courtship and the difficult early years of their marriage, until the point when Anna becomes pregnant with their second son, who corresponds to Ingmar himself. At the time, it was one of the most expensive Swedish films ever made.
The film is a condensed version of a four-part Swedish television miniseries that aired in December 1991. It won the Palme d'Or at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival.
In the early 20th century, Henrik Bergman is studying to be a parish minister under the Church of Sweden. A poor man, he meets the wealthy Anna Åkerblom through his friend, Anna's brother Ernst. Anna is vain and stubborn, and in Henrik's belief she is elitist, yet she is also attractive and capable of enjoying pleasure. Although Henrik lives in a sexual relationship with Frida, a waitress, Anna seduces him and proposes an engagement. As Henrik and Anna begin to see more of each other, Henrik secretly continues living with Frida. While speaking with Anna's mother Karin, Henrik confesses that he feels unwelcome among the Åkerbloms. Karin tells him frankly that she feels Anna needs a mature man who can nurture her, but he is lacking on both counts. Karin also tells Anna that Henrik is still living with Frida, a fact verified by the family. Henrik and Anna stop seeing each other until Frida appeals to Anna to take Henrik back, citing his misery.
While Anna is treated for tuberculosis in Switzerland, a brother is sent to tell Henrik that she no longer wishes to speak to him. However, unknown to her parents, Anna sends a letter to Ernst to be forwarded to Henrik, telling him she wishes to resume their relationship. Her parents receive the letter and Anna's father Johan opens it, after which Karin reads it and burns it. After Johan dies, Karin confesses the act to Anna, who angrily seeks Henrik. By then, Henrik is planning to go to Forsboda, a remote village in northern Sweden, to work in a parish whose head minister is aged and ailing. Anna resolves to go with him, and they marry despite their class conflicts.
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Wikipedia