Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Camera and directing make this film visually perfect. Every frame is black and white art photography, many of which leave you breathless. There's hardly a dialogue in the movie and sound is so naturally blended with picture that at times it seems like a silent movie. There are not many developments and for a while it was quite boring to me, but when it ended I instantly wished to see it again. Bergman doesn't need action and dialogues to tell a story. Camera and body language are more than enough. Ingrid Thulin and Gunnell Lindblom will impress you with their acting, and also with beauty. This movie opens many questions and doesn't provide answers, but rather leaves that task to our subjective interpretations. I was going through some reviews and came across a variety of interpretations, but I think that attempts to explain this film are essentially a waste of time. It's quite enough just to experience it in and for yourself.8/10

The Silence is going to be an acquired taste- true of a lot of Ingmar Bergman's films- but if you know what to expect then I think you will be rewarded. I can understand definitely why some may not like The Silence, the plot is light, has moments of (purposeful) obscurity and is quite detached emotionally. But I wouldn't immediately go and "objectively" hate on it because it didn't entertain you, it is clear from the title, the plot summary and also from Bergman's other films that The Silence wasn't going to be that kind of film. Bergman's films are more of the thoughtful and compellingly real kind, and The Silence is exactly that, and of Bergman's early work and overall it is one of the better examples of doing that as well. Quite possibly my favourite of his "religious" trilogy, and all three are wonderful films in their own right. As ever it is superbly directed, and looks incredible with Sven Nykvist's haunting cinematography adding much to the tonal bleakness of the film. Apart from the odd moment where music is played, there is no score here which made the increasingly deafening silence even more effective. The dialogue is thought-provoking and intelligent, and while bleak and obscure the atmosphere in The Silence is largely symbolic and also enigmatic and very powerful. The themes of loneliness and objective desire with a want of emotional warmth and tenderness are thoroughly explored here and does resonate with you. Bergman's films are known for how real the characters are, and The Silence is no exception. Likable, no they aren't, but not all characters have to be to have the realism that the ones seen in Bergman's films do. I can't fault the acting either, Ingrid Thulin is just outstanding in the lead role. Overall, still packs a powerful touch but isn't going to be for everyone. 10/10 Bethany Cox

While traveling back home by train, Anna (Gunnel Lindblom), her son Johan (Jörgen Lindström) and her sister Ester (Ingrid Thulin) that is very ill have to stop in a foreign country in Timoka City and checking- in a hotel until Ester recovers from a crisis of her illness. Ester is a translator but she does not speak the language, therefore they need to communicate by gestures with the locals. Ester is cult and controller and Anna is still attractive and very promiscuous. They are emotionally separated and without any sibling's feelings; therefore each sister just speaks to hurt the other while Johan wanders in the empty corridors of the hotel. "Tystnaden" is a film about lack of connection and communication that in certain moments seems to be a silent movie. There are very few, but sharp and ambiguous, dialogs between the two sisters and it is not clear whether they had an incestuous relationship in the past and the weird way that Anna treats her son, sleeping naked in the bed with him or asking him to soap her back (at least, for non-Swedish viewer). The performances are awesome as usual in a Bergman's film, with wonderful black-and-white cinematography, use of shadows and camera work. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "O Silêncio" ("The Silence")

This will be the first Bergman film I have commented on!! I feel that Igmar Bergman has established a plethora of paramount accomplishments in the world of the cinema industry!! His brilliance depicts abhorrent human nature which reflects a calculating subjectivity that erupts with callousness and tormented recriminations. These pejorative aspects of behavior are pertinent to the desultory plight of the characters in his films!! A typical Bergman film's portrayal of depression is one whereby it eventually becomes elevated to a new level of hopelessness!! This onslaught of sibilant human discrepancies always unearth a frightful despair in so many of Bergman's productions!! The film, "The Silence" is no exception to the rule!! The term used by a prominent movie critic from the New York Times about this movie, was "ruthless gratification"... This phraseology sums up the culprit to the primary dilemma in this film!!... I can assertively empathize with the fact that these two women are not American; what that means is that their emotional enmity is manifested very differently than "good old fashion Yankee anger". The intercontinental disposition of this film necessitates an urban sophistication which becomes a premise for judgmental injury!! Infidelity, as well as sexual experimentation, are subterfuges for a passionately nurtured loathing... In the United States, Central Park Wext intellectuals deliberately masquerade such infuriating pretenses as a way of flaunting their appropriated prestige with their cavorting intelligentsia!! To the movie audience, the actions of these two women would suggest a very disconcerting demeanor, yet, very much to the contrary, these two characters are consumed by overt resentment and deep rooted hatred!! The first rate felony for the characters in this film was to not be seen in a way they want to be seen. They were impervious to the fact as to whether they protracted any esoteric aspects to their personality in a cogent manner or not!! This was the silver screen's introduction to the nefarious venue of a sex club!! As a matter of fact, when "The Silence" came out in 1963, it was considered the most lewd movie ever made!! Usually when I comment on something being sexually suggestive for it's day, I immediately counter it with "By today's standards, of course, this seems ridiculous" however, in the case of this film, I would have to say that even now, this film is still relatively provocative.. "The Silence" illustrates pictorial nudity, and concepts of debauchery, along with degenerate sexual behavior, which are so ubiquitous, that they suggest an absolute vitiation of moral imperatives!! Bergman does a tremendously dispassionate job of directing this film, as he encompasses sexual wiles into a form of intellectual intimidation.. The acting in this movie is superb... The eccentricities of many side players with "The Silence" articulate a genre of philosophical diversification!! What are these two women really like? My assessment of them is this; Imagine if a pack of wolves went to Oxford!! There should be an unfortunate empathy for the prevailing situation in this movie... In the 1960's, films began to depict people as they really were, and not just stilted characters of exaggerated altruism!! I wish to reiterate that Bergman has always possessed an unprecedented and remarkable quality in directing, so, when "The Silence" was made in 1963, the aggregate double entendre to every critical expression with this flick, was, without question, a perfectly executed breakthrough in cinematic genius!! See this movie, but, make sure the kids are not around!! I give it five stars!!