Some spoilers in comments below.
There's no comparison. This original Swedish version of "A Woman's Face" is superior to the American remake directed by Cukor and starring Joan Crawford.
This is a very American-looking film in that is has Hollywood studio production values--costumes, sets, and quality of photography, which includes some flattering glamour close-ups of Bergman.
Altho there are plot similarities between the two versions, they are not closely related. The American version is a series of flashbacks from a courtroom trial. There are no courtroom trials in this version; no one is charged with murder here. I much prefer the plot line in this film, including the ending in which Anna begins a new life in China. There's no happily-ever-after with Anna marrying Harald and the two of them becoming foster parents to Lars-Erik and living on the money Lars-Erik would have inherited from his wealthy industrialist grandfather. That's the way Hollywood would have ended this film.
From the beginning, the film held my interest. It was well cast and well performed. Although Bergman was just 23 at the time she made this film, she was already a fine actress. Altho I like Crawford, there's no question that Bergman was a far better actress than Crawford was. Bergman plays her scenes here with conviction, and she has a range to play, from the embittered, scarred woman to the loving governess to the resigned woman at the film's conclusion. She handles them all well.
This version of "A Woman's Face" is excellent and deserves to be seen far more extensively than it has been. TCM showed a fine-quality print with easily readable subtitles. Don't miss it!
There's no comparison. This original Swedish version of "A Woman's Face" is superior to the American remake directed by Cukor and starring Joan Crawford.
This is a very American-looking film in that is has Hollywood studio production values--costumes, sets, and quality of photography, which includes some flattering glamour close-ups of Bergman.
Altho there are plot similarities between the two versions, they are not closely related. The American version is a series of flashbacks from a courtroom trial. There are no courtroom trials in this version; no one is charged with murder here. I much prefer the plot line in this film, including the ending in which Anna begins a new life in China. There's no happily-ever-after with Anna marrying Harald and the two of them becoming foster parents to Lars-Erik and living on the money Lars-Erik would have inherited from his wealthy industrialist grandfather. That's the way Hollywood would have ended this film.
From the beginning, the film held my interest. It was well cast and well performed. Although Bergman was just 23 at the time she made this film, she was already a fine actress. Altho I like Crawford, there's no question that Bergman was a far better actress than Crawford was. Bergman plays her scenes here with conviction, and she has a range to play, from the embittered, scarred woman to the loving governess to the resigned woman at the film's conclusion. She handles them all well.
This version of "A Woman's Face" is excellent and deserves to be seen far more extensively than it has been. TCM showed a fine-quality print with easily readable subtitles. Don't miss it!