The Rite (1969): cast, story & where to watch
1969 · Film · ★ 7.1
Released in 1969, The Rite is a drama and tv movie film directed by Ingmar Bergman, running about 76 minutes.
What it’s about. A judge in an unnamed country interviews three actors, together and singly, provoking them while investigating a pornographic performance for which they may face a fine. Their relationships are complicated: Sebastian, volatile, a heavy drinker, in debt, guilty of killing his former partner, is having an affair with that man's widow. She is Thea, high strung, prone to fits, and seemingly fragile, currently married to Sebastian's new partner, Hans. Hans is the troupe leader, wealthy, self-contained, and growing tired. The judge plays on the trio's insecurities, but when they finally, in a private session with him, perform the masque called The Rite, they may have their revenge.
Who’s in it. The Rite stars Ingrid Thulin as Thea Winkelmann, Anders Ek as Sebastian Fisher, Gunnar Björnstrand as Hans Winkelmann and Erik Hell as Judge Dr. Abrahamson, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, The Rite has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Rite page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Rite tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Rite (1969)?
- In US, The Rite is available to stream on Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Rite worth watching?
- The Rite holds an audience score of 7.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and tv movie. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Rite?
- The Rite stars Ingrid Thulin, Anders Ek, Gunnar Björnstrand, Erik Hell and Ingmar Bergman.
- When was The Rite released?
- The Rite was released in 1969, with a runtime of about 76 minutes.