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Also known as Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness, The Phantom Chariot was the most famous of Swedish director Victor Sjöstrom's pre-Hollywood films. Based on a novel by Selma Lagerlöf, the film is predicated on an ancient Scandanavian legend. It is said that each year, on St. Sylvester's Night (New Year's Eve), a phantom chariot materializes to carry off the souls of those who have sinned. On one such occasion, David Holm (played by Sjöstrom) is forced to recall his past misdeeds, especially his brutal treatment of his wife. Holm's only hope for salvation lies in his performing a spectacular act of selflessness. As the chariot approaches, Holm despairs: how can he possibly be redeemed before the clock strikes twelve? Sjöstrom's masterful direction is superbly complemented by Julius Jaenzon's multi-exposure cinematography. When artists like Victor Sjöstrom and Mauritz Stiller were lured away by Hollywood, their exodus very nearly brought the wrath of "The Phantom Chariot" on the entire Swedish film industry.
Condition:NEW. Brand New Factory Sealed
Cast & Crew - Körkarlen
Victor Sjöström
(Films)(Biography) David Holm
Hilda Borgström
(Films)(Biography) Mrs. Holm
Astrid Holm
(Films) Edit, Edith
Olof Aas
(Films)(Biography) Driver
Nils Ahren Prison Chaplain
Einar Axelsson David's Brother
Anna-Lisa Baude Actor, Salvation Army Soldier
Josua Bengtsson Gambler
John Ekman Police constable
Mona Geijer-Falkner Waitress
Concordia Selander Edith's Mother
Tore Svennberg Georges
Technical Credits
Victor Sjöström Director, Screenwriter
Axel Esbensen Production Designer
Julius Jaenzon Cinematographer
Charles Magnusson Producer
Product Details
Actors: Victor Sjöström, Hilda Borgström, Tore Svennberg, Astrid Holm, Concordia Selander
Directors: Arne Mattsson
Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC, Silent, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: Swedish
Subtitles: English
Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Criterion Collection
DVD Release Date: September 27, 2011
Run Time: 107 minutes
Special Features:
New digital transfer, restored in collaboration with the Archival Film Collections of the Swedish Film Institute
Two scores, one by acclaimed Swedish composer Matti Bye and the other by the experimental duo KTL
Audio commentary featuring film historian Casper Tybjerg
Interview with Ingmar Bergman excerpted from the 1981 documentary Victor Sjöström: A Portrait, by Gösta Werner
The Bergman Connection, an original visual essay by film historian and Bergman scholar Peter Cowie on The Phantom Carriage’s influence on Bergman
New and improved English subtitle translation
PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by screenwriter and filmmaker Paul Mayersberg
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