A stunning union of two of Sweden’s national treasures, Autumn Sonata pairs Ingmar Bergman with Ingrid Bergman for their only joint effort. Ingrid plays a mother who, after forsaking her family for a music career, attempts a reconciliation with her oldest daughter (Liv Ullmann) through a night of painful revelation. Sven Nykvist contributes glorious Eastmancolor cinematography to this quietly beautiful story of forgiveness.

*****

Ingrid Bergman was a juror at Cannes in 1973, when Ingmar Bergman's "Cries and Whispers" won a Technical Award. Ingrid coyly slips a piece of paper in Ingmar's pocket reminding him he had promised to do a film with her. Four years later that was to come to fruition with the brutally honest, emotionally powerful production, Autumn Sonata.

Ingmar Bergman directed a series of films in the 70’s that have been referred to as "Chamber films" (or "Chamber pieces" ). They involve only a handful of actors and usually focus on very intense interpersonal relationships and situations. Loosely based on Bergman’s own youth, Autumn Sonata is one such film. Made in forty days during late 1977 it starred Ingrid Bergman in her last theatrical role. She portrays a self-centered and sophisticated concert pianist Charlotte, who visits her passive daughter Eva, played by Liv Ullman. This would be the first and only collaboration of the two Bergmans as cancer would take Ingrid's life five years later. This would also mark Liv Ullman’s last great role with Bergman, whose child, Linn Ullman, she bore and would play the younger Eva in the film. Bergman, known as the greatest director of women along with Eric Rohmer, continues his theme of discordance between females as seen in a number of his previous pictures.

The three act masterpiece ebbs and flows like the Chopin and Bach music that is played throughout the film. This is a healthy introduction to Ingmar Bergman's self created style. The niche of ideas and narration that he has formed has impacted immeasurably on the cinematic world.

Excerpt from Gary Tooze's review found HERE