Love's Crucible

Overview

At the end of the middle ages, Ursula is accused of having poisoned her own husband. She claims she is innocent, but to prove it, she must submit to a ritual: trial by fire, walking on fire along a path leading directly to a crucifix. A film that has been much commended for the visual creativity shown by the director in successive blending in of images involving Ursula, her husband, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. Much applauded, also: the performance of Jenny Hasselqvist, thus described by French director René Clair: “We shall never forget her flaming eyes, the severity of her spirit, her abrupt and alarmed expressions, like an animal under threat.”

Cast

Jenny Hasselqvist

Ursula

Ivan Hedqvist

Anton

Tore Svennberg

Mayor

Gösta Ekman

Bertram

N/A

Knut Lindroth

N/A

Waldemar Wohlström

Nils Asther

Apprentice

Torsten Bergström

The Herald

Nils Lundell

Agitator

Edvin Adolphson

Man at the inn

Bror Berger

Executioner

Helga Brofeldt

Woman outside church