Taking its title from Friedrich Schiller’s ‘Ode to Joy,’ adapted by Beethoven for his Ninth Symphony, Bergman’s tragic romance opens with a violinist, Stig (Stig Olin), learning of the sudden death of his wife, Marta (Maj-Britt Nilsson). In flashback, Stig remembers the delights and tribulations of their relationship, back to their early days in the orchestra conducted by the eminent Sönderby (renowned Swedish director Victor Sjöström, later to star in Wild Strawberries). An undeniably personal work, suffused with visual poetry, To Joy is a compelling tale of a young man’s struggle with the demons standing in the way of his happiness. 

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.