The Virgin Spring (1960): cast, story & where to watch
1960 · Film · ★ 7.8
Released in 1960, The Virgin Spring is a thriller, drama and crime film directed by Ingmar Bergman, running about 90 minutes. “Ravished innocence... brings terrible revenge!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Devout Christians Töre and Märeta send their only daughter, the virginal Karin, and their foster daughter, the unrepentant Ingeri, to deliver candles to a distant church. On their way through the woods, the girls encounter a group of savage goat herders who brutally rape and murder Karin as Ingeri remains hidden. When the killers unwittingly seek refuge in the farmhouse of Töre and Märeta, Töre plots a fitting revenge.
Who’s in it. The Virgin Spring stars Max von Sydow as Töre, Birgitta Valberg as Märeta, Gunnel Lindblom as Ingeri and Birgitta Pettersson as Karin, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.8/10, The Virgin Spring has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $700K at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Virgin Spring page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Virgin Spring tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Virgin Spring (1960)?
- In US, The Virgin Spring is available to stream on Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Virgin Spring worth watching?
- The Virgin Spring holds an audience score of 7.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Virgin Spring?
- The Virgin Spring stars Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg, Gunnel Lindblom, Birgitta Pettersson and Axel Düberg.
- When was The Virgin Spring released?
- The Virgin Spring was released in 1960, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.