Ordet (1955)

Under the golden rays of August 1925, the serene landscape of rural Jutland, Denmark, cradles the lives of three generations of the Borgen family. The family patriarch, Morten Borgen, a widowed man of devout Lutheran faith, presides over the family farm with a blend of traditional wisdom and spiritual fervor. Among his kin, his daughter-in-law, Inger, mirrors his religious fervor, despite being married to Mikkel, Morten's eldest son and a self-proclaimed agnostic. Mikkel's disbelief is a thorn in Morten's side, a poignant reminder of his perceived failure as a parent. With Inger's third child on the way, the couple's existing daughters, Maren and Lilleinger, await the arrival of their new sibling with bated breath. Morten's middle son, Johannes, once a beacon of religious hope, spirals into madness after an intense theological study. His delirium leads him to believe he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, a revelation that casts a grim shadow over the Borgen household. The youngest progeny, Anders, is viewed by Morten as emotionally fragile, yet his love for Anne Petersen, the daughter of a tailor belonging to a fundamentalist sect, reflects his resilience. This budding romance between Anders and Anne becomes a catalyst for conflict, as the chasm between their families' religious beliefs threatens to swallow their love. Morten sees the Petersens as sanctimonious, while they dismiss Morten as lacking in faith. As the young lovers grapple with their families' opposition, an unexpected complication with Inger's pregnancy stirs the tranquil waters of their lives. The arrival of a pragmatic doctor, a long night of uncertainty, and a weaving of miracles force the Borgen clan and the Petersens to confront their divergent faiths. Ordet is a poignant exploration of faith, prayer, and miracles, weaving a tapestry of contrasting beliefs. This narrative, steeped in familial bonds and spiritual collisions, offers a captivating study of the human spirit's resilience and the transformative power of faith.

Ordet is a drama movie featuring Emil Hass Christensen.

Ordet is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.