The only Carl Dreyer film I’ve seen other than Ordet was Joan of Arc (which was more or less a painful experience), but this film makes it up for me. The only annoyance I have with these spiritual films is the overconfidence in holiness displayed by the characters. The climax in this film is the resurrection of Mikkel’s wife as a result of his brother Johannes’s prayer, who apparently was cured from his delusion, yet continues to believe he can raise the dead, and “because of this child I’ll raise her up.” Then she does. I’m sorry but that doesn’t happen. I don’t mind the miracle itself, but I would’ve preferred a more realistic approach to it like Johannes meeting an angel or something while he went out missing. But since I wasn’t the assistant director, I guess that’s forgivable and just appreciate it for what it is, and it still is effective considering it completely contrasts ^ordinaryism leading up to it.

Speaking of which I love. The pacing, the philosophical discussions, the beards of the fathers making them look legendary, the ominous presence of Johannes, that portrait on the wall (of the granddad I believe) that I can’t keep my eye off of, and my favorite scene: the reconciliation between Morten and Peter. Beautiful…

Bzw, It’s been said before, but I reinforce recommending not watching this with anyone, unless you want a few laughs.