The Freethinker (1994): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1994, The Freethinker is a history film directed by Peter Watkins, running about 276 minutes.

What it’s about. The film portrays the Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist and painter August Strindberg's life 1849-1912. Through his extensive correspondence and literary production, from the supposed first work, the drama "The Free Thinker" (1869), to the posthumously published "The Occult Diary" (published 1977 ). But also his three wives, Siri von Essen, Frida Uhl and Harriet Bosse, and the children Karin, Greta and Hans are given space in the film. The unpublished first drama "The Free Thinker", depicts a young man forced to break with family and tradition to follow his conscience and ideals, becomes a prophecy about the author's own life.

Who’s in it. The Freethinker stars Anders Mattsson as August Strindberg, Lena Settervall as Siri von Essen, Roland Borgström as Carl-Oskar Strindberg and Ingela Berger as Ulrika Eleonora Strindberg, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, The Freethinker has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Freethinker page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Freethinker tend to enjoy Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge and Green Book.