Ordet

Ordet (English: The Word) is a 1955 Danish drama film, directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer. It is based on a 1932 play by Kaj Munk, a Danish pastor who was killed by the Nazis. Winner of the Golden Lion at the 1955 Venice Film Festival, it was the only film by Dreyer that was both a critical and financial success. The film centers around a family of farmers, who are part of a religious community in West Jutland. In addition to the devout Morten, the ... more

Ordet (English: The Word) is a 1955 Danish drama film, directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer. It is based on a 1932 play by Kaj Munk, a Danish pastor who was killed by the Nazis. Winner of the Golden Lion at the 1955 Venice Film Festival, it was the only film by Dreyer that was both a critical and financial success. The film centers around a family of farmers, who are part of a religious community in West Jutland. In addition to the devout Morten, the father, there are his three sons: Mikkel, the eldest, who has no faith; Johannes, who has lost his mind and believes himself to be Jesus Christ; the third and youngest son is Anders, who wants to marry the daughter of Peter (Ejner Federspiel), a tailor who refuses the marriage because of Anders' (Cay Kristiansen) religious beliefs. Morten (Henrik Malberg) considers his religion (the 'Glad Christians' of Grunttvigism) to be about "life" and accuses Peter's faith (the 'Inner Mission') of being concerned with "death". Inger (Birgitte Federspiel)... less