Harry (Lars Ekborg) and Monika (Harriet Andersson), a footloose young couple from the city slums, steal a boat and spend a brief ecstatic summer on an island in the Stockholm archipelago. Reality soon asserts itself, however, and with supplies running low, the pair are forced to curtail their idyllic sojourn and return to the city. Inspired by the earthy eroticism of Harriet Andersson, in the first of her many roles for him, Ingmar Bergman had a major international breakthrough with this sensual and ultimately devastating tale of young love. 

Notes by David O’Mahony.

This film screens as part of BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL: THE FILMS OF INGMAR BERGMAN.

See the full collection of films on IFI@Home, launching February 1st.