ORDET

Review: A devout Danish farmer has three sons although the sons all have widely disparate religious beliefs. One of the sons’ wives goes into a difficult childbirth and everyone’s beliefs are put to the test. This film explores the clash between orthodox religions and true faith.
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Actors: Henrik Malberg, Emil Hass Christensen, Preben Lerdorff Rye and Birgitte Federspiel
Year: 1955
Genre: Drama
Conclusion: 5/5
The word Ordet in English translates to The Word. Based on a 1932 play by Danish playwright and Lutheran country priest Kaj Munk (1898-1944). Apparently, the actress that plays the son’s wife was really pregnant during shooting and the pains that you hear are real and were recorded at the time and then used for the film. The late film critic Roger Ebert once stated “Ordet is a difficult film to enter. But once you’re inside, it is impossible to escape”. At the Golden Globe Awards in 1956 this won for Best Foreign Film.