Autumn Sonata was the only collaboration between the two great Swedish Bergmans: Ingrid and Ingmar. Ingrid, the iconic star of Casablanca, portrays Charlotte Andergast, an imperious, world-famous concert pianist, who pays a visit to her eldest daughter Eva (Liv Ullmann), a pastor’s wife, and primary caregiver to her terminally ill sister, Helena, after a gap of many years. The conversation becomes more painfully frank as the hours pass. Exquisite acting from all concerned makes for riveting viewing, nowhere more so than in a scene featuring two rather different performances of a Chopin prelude.

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.