The Virgin Spring is a Swedish film directed by Ingmar Bergman and released in 1960. The film is based on a Swedish medieval ballad and tells the story of a wealthy, devout Christian family living in rural 14th-century Sweden. The film explores themes of faith, revenge, and redemption.
The story begins with the beautiful and innocent Karin (played by Birgitta Pettersson) and her foster sister, the rebellious Ingeri (played by Gunnel Lindblom), setting out to deliver candles to a distant church. Karin is dressed in her best clothes and wears a wreath of flowers on her head, a sign of her purity and virtue.
As they journey through the wooded countryside, Karin and Ingeri encounter a group of unruly goatherds who are led by the cunning and violent Töre (played by Max von Sydow). Despite Ingeri's warnings, Karin insists on approaching the goatherds and offering them food and drink.
The goatherds soon become aggressive and demand that Karin dance for them. When she refuses, they attack and rape her, leaving her for dead. Ingeri witnesses the horrific ordeal but chooses to remain hidden.
When the goatherds seek refuge at the farmhouse of Töre and his wife Märeta (played by Birgitta Valberg), Töre recognizes Karin's belongings and realizes what has happened. In a fit of rage, Töre murders the goatherds in a fit of rage.
The film ends with Töre and his wife mourning the loss of their beloved daughter and seeking solace in their faith. As they pray, a spring miraculously appears where Karin's body was found, a symbol of redemption and forgiveness.
The Virgin Spring is widely regarded as one of Bergman's greatest films and won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1961. The film's exploration of faith, violence, and the complexities of revenge continue to resonate with audiences today.