The Sacrifice (1986)

In the solitary serenity of a remote cottage, Alexander, a contemplative journalist and erstwhile actor, is celebrating his birthday amidst his kin. The air of familial revelry, however, becomes tainted with unsettling undertones of domestic intrigue before the chilling cacophony of low-flying jet planes shatters the tranquillity. This ominous sound heralds the dreadful onset of a nuclear war, pitting superpowers against each other and plunging mankind into an abyss of potential annihilation. As his family grapples with this terrifying reality, Alexander finds himself ensnared in a labyrinth of extraordinary dreams, his subconscious seemingly stirring with an unfathomable prophecy. The enigmatic philosopher-postman, Otto, emerges from this metaphysical haze with a perplexing proclamation: Alexander possesses the power to salvage the world from its impending doom, including his adored young son. However, to wield this power, Alexander must undertake an unnerving pilgrimage. He must seek out the reclusive Maria, who, according to Otto's cryptic assertion, is a witch. Consumed by despair and his paternal fear for his son's future, Alexander finds himself wrestling with his own scepticism. As the world teeters on the brink of destruction, he offers a desperate prayer to God, willing to sacrifice everything to rewind the reality of war. In this haunting exploration of spirituality, hope, and the human capacity for redemption, 'The Sacrifice' (1986) plunges viewers into a mesmerizing journey through the depths of the human soul, where the tangible collides with the mystical, and the power of belief is tested against the harshest of realities.

The Sacrifice is a drama movie featuring Erland Josephson and directed by Andrei Tarkovsky.

The Sacrifice is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy The Sacrifice on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now and YouTube.