Oilman Jan is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when Jan urges her to have sex with another.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 44 wins & 27 nominations.
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Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Emily Watson | ... |
Bess McNeill
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| Stellan Skarsgård | ... |
Jan Nyman
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| Katrin Cartlidge | ... |
Dodo McNeill
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| Jean-Marc Barr | ... |
Terry
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| Adrian Rawlins | ... |
Dr. Richardson
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Jonathan Hackett | ... |
Priest
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Sandra Voe | ... |
Mother
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| Udo Kier | ... |
Sadistic Sailor
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| Mikkel Gaup | ... |
Pits
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| Roef Ragas | ... |
Pim
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Phil McCall | ... |
Grandfather
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Robert Robertson | ... |
Chairman
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Desmond Reilly | ... |
An Elder
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Sarah Gudgeon | ... |
Sybilla
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| Finlay Welsh | ... |
Coroner
(as Finley Welsh)
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David Gallacher | ... |
Glasgow Doctor
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Ray Jeffries | ... |
Man on Bus
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Owen Kavanagh | ... |
Man at Lighthouse
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Bob Docherty | ... |
Man on Boat
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| David Bateson | ... |
Young Sailor
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Callum Cuthbertson | ... |
Radio Operator
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Gavin Mitchell | ... |
Police Officer 1
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Brian Smith | ... |
Police Officer 2
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Iain Agnew | ... |
Praying Man 1
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Charles Kearney | ... |
Praying Man 2
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Steven Leach | ... |
Praying Man 3
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Dorte Rømer | ... |
Nurse
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Anthony J. O'Donnell | ... |
Boy 1
(as Anthony O'Donnell)
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| John Wark | ... |
Boy 2
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Ronnie McKellaig | ... |
Precentor
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Peter Bensted | ... |
Ugly Man (voice)
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Simon Towler Jorfald | ... |
Boy in Film (voice)
(as Simon Towler Jorfaid)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Klaus Hjuler | ... |
Paramedic (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Lars von Trier | ... | (as Lars Von Trier) |
Written by
| Lars von Trier | ... | (written by) |
| Peter Asmussen | ... | (co-writer) |
| David Pirie | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Axel Helgeland | ... | co-producer |
| Peter Aalbæk Jensen | ... | producer |
| Lars Jönsson | ... | executive producer |
| Rob Langestraat | ... | co-producer |
| Marianne Slot | ... | co-producer |
| Peter van Vogelpoel | ... | co-producer (as Peter Van Vogelpoel) |
| Vibeke Windeløv | ... | producer |
Cinematography by
| Robby Müller | ||
Editing by
| Anders Refn | ||
Editorial Department
| Anders Johannes Bukh | ... | assistant editor |
| Yann Dedet | ... | trailer editor |
| Patrick Dreyfus | ... | color timer: video |
| Olivier Fontenay | ... | color timer: film |
| Niklas Hansen | ... | trailer editor |
| Marianne Jerris | ... | negative cutter |
| Tine Grew Pfeiffer | ... | post-production assistant |
| Lars Wodschow | ... | trailer editor |
Casting By
| Joyce Nettles | ||
Production Design by
| Karl Júlíusson | ... | (uncredited) |
Costume Design by
| Manon Rasmussen | ||
Makeup Department
| Sanne Gravfort | ... | makeup artist |
| Dorota Horonska | ... | assistant makeup artist |
| Morten Jacobsen | ... | special makeup and surgical effects artist |
| Jennifer Jorfaid | ... | makeup artist (as Jennifer Jorfald) |
| Anja Dahl | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Tove Jystrup | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Leif Mohlin | ... | production manager |
| Lene Nielsen | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Morten Arnfred | ... | first assistant director |
| Kristoffer Nyholm | ... | second unit director |
Art Department
| Poul Erik Andersen | ... | carpenter |
| Jonas Alexander Arnby | ... | assistant props |
| Morten Constantineanu Bak | ... | graphic designer |
| Mogens Craner | ... | carpenter |
| Peter Grant | ... | property master |
| Eva Gøttrup | ... | props trainee |
| Leo Jørgart | ... | construction manager |
| John Knight | ... | additional props: Scotland |
| Jørgen Krogh | ... | painter |
| Alistair Macgregor | ... | building constructor: Scotland |
| Nini Mandal | ... | props seamstress |
| René Pejl | ... | head painter |
| Simone Grau Roney | ... | props (as Simone Grau Larsen) |
| Søren Simonsen | ... | painter |
| Torben Skalleræk | ... | carpenter |
| Thomas Westi | ... | carpenter |
| Rasmus With | ... | assistant props |
Sound Department
| Kristian Eidnes Andersen | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Lars Christensen | ... | recording engineer: "Siciliana" |
| Hans Møller | ... | dialogue editor |
| Julien Naudin | ... | foley artist |
| Peter Schultz | ... | sound effects editor |
| Ad Stoop | ... | boom operator |
| Per Streit | ... | sound designer / sound recording mixer |
| Klas Wahl | ... | sound recordist: second unit (as Klas Baggström) |
Special Effects by
| Birger Bohm | ... | special effects focus puller |
| Lars Kolding Andersen | ... | special effects: Scotland (as Lars Andersen) |
| Otto Stenov | ... | special effects gaffer |
| Jan Weincke | ... | special effects photographer |
Visual Effects by
| Søren Buus | ... | visual effects editor: manipulation |
| Niels Valentin Dal | ... | visual effects editor: manipulation |
| Steen Lyders Hansen | ... | visual effects editor: manipulation |
| Per Kirkeby | ... | digital artist: manipulation |
Stunts
| Terry Forrestal | ... | stunt coordinator: Scotland |
| Lasse Spang Olsen | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Leif Barney Fick | ... | gaffer |
| Per Heegaard | ... | photographer |
| Thomas Holm Deleurang | ... | clapper loader (as Thomas Holm) |
| Steve Holtson | ... | video assist operator |
| Henrik Jongdahl | ... | title photographer |
| Fredrik Kihl | ... | video assist operator |
| Rolf Konow | ... | still photographer |
| Eric Kress | ... | photographer: second unit |
| Jean-Paul Meurisse | ... | camera operator |
| Søren Johannes Meyer | ... | electrician |
| Christopher Porter | ... | gaffer |
| Per Fredrik Skiöld | ... | assistant camera |
| Mads Thomsen | ... | focus puller: second unit |
| Pim Tjujerman | ... | focus puller |
| Morten Ziersen | ... | video assist operator |
Casting Department
| Anne Campbell | ... | extras casting: Scotland |
| Rie Hedegaard | ... | casting: Denmark |
| Ruth Tarko | ... | additional casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Binkie Darling | ... | costumes: Scotland |
| Anne-Marie Gudnitz | ... | costume assistant |
Location Management
| Anthony Dod Mantle | ... | location scout: Scotland |
| Morten Kleener | ... | location manager |
| Peter Øvig Knudsen | ... | location scout: Scotland (as Peter Ovig Knudson) |
| Janet Riddoch | ... | location manager: Scotland |
Music Department
| Carl-Ulrik Munch Andersen | ... | musician: organ |
| Ulrik Corlin | ... | musician |
| Jan Harboe | ... | musician |
| Tom Harboe | ... | consultant: Scottish music / musician |
| Joachim Holbek | ... | music arranger / orchestrator |
| Christian Steenstrup | ... | musician: trumpet |
| Mark Warrick | ... | music producer: Pollyanna |
| Ray Williams | ... | executive music producer |
| Ulrik Corlin | ... | music arranger (uncredited) |
| Jan Harboe | ... | music arranger (uncredited) |
| Tom Harboe | ... | music arranger (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Kirsten Bonnén Rask | ... | script consultant |
| Linda Daae | ... | continuity |
| Tómas Gislason | ... | script consultant |
| Jonathan Sydenham | ... | script translator |
Transportation Department
| Frank Weinberger | ... | driver: bus |
Additional Crew
| Anna Anthony | ... | assistant: Mr. Jönsson |
| Douglas Brand | ... | rig worker: Montrose, Scotland |
| Stephen Burt | ... | runner: Scotland |
| Louise Cross | ... | assistant: Joyce Nettles |
| Tony English | ... | rig worker: Montrose, Scotland |
| Charlotte Giannetta | ... | caterer |
| John Goodwin | ... | runner |
| Christel Hammer | ... | public relations |
| Jens Georg Hansen | ... | insurance services: Sedgwick |
| Else Hartzberg | ... | consultant: folk dance |
| Rasmus Heisterberg | ... | runner |
| Casper Holm | ... | production assistant |
| Henrik Jongdahl | ... | title designer |
| Ann Køj | ... | production accountant (as Ann Koj Slemming) |
| Christina Mackay | ... | church consultant |
| Christine MacLean | ... | production consultant: Scotland (as Christine Maclean) |
| Elspeth MacNaughton | ... | dialogue coach (as Elspeth Macnaughton) |
| Nanna Mailand-Mercado | ... | production assistant (as Nanna Mailand-Hansen) |
| Damien Maurel | ... | digital video consultant |
| Ghita Norrekjær | ... | production accountant |
| Hanne Palmquist | ... | public relations |
| Charlotte Pedersen | ... | assistant to producers |
| Tine Grew Pfeiffer | ... | production assistant |
| Peter Raeburn | ... | assistant: Ray Williams |
| Ricki Rasmussen | ... | runner: Scotland |
| Niels Reiermann | ... | trainee (as Niels Reierman) |
| William Ryan | ... | rig worker: Montrose, Scotland |
| Nynne Marie Selin Eidnes | ... | public relations assistant (as Nynne Selin) |
| Birgitte Skov | ... | trainee |
| Charlotte Vinther | ... | financial controller |
| Ann Vognsen | ... | production accountant |
| Glenn Weinold | ... | runner: Scotland |
| Grethe Wejlgaard | ... | medical consultant |
| David Wilder | ... | completion bond: Film Finances |
Thanks
| Shirley Clarke | ... | thanks: Sony Music |
| Charlie Lowry Henderson | ... | dedicatee |
| Simon Platz | ... | thanks: Bucks Music |
Production Companies
- ARTE
- Argus Film Produktie (in collaboration with)
- Canal+ (in association with)
- CoBo Fonds
- Coproduction Office (in association with)
- Det Danske Filminstitut (supported by)
- Eurimages (supported by)
- European Script Fund (developed with the support of)
- Finnish Film Foundation (supported by)
- Icelandic Film (in association with)
- La Sept Cinéma (in co-production with)
- Liberator Productions (in collaboration with)
- Lucky Red (in association with)
- Media Investment Club (in co-production with)
- Memfis Film
- Nederlands Filmfonds (supported by)
- Nordisk Film & TV-Fond (in co-production with)
- Northern Lights (in collaboration with)
- Norwegian Film Institute (supported by)
- October Films (in association with)
- SVT Drama (in co-production with)
- Slot Machine
- Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI) (supported by)
- TV 1000 (in association with)
- The European Script Fund
- Trust Film Svenska (in collaboration with)
- Villealfa Filmproductions (in association with)
- Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep (VPRO) (in co-production with)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (in association with)
- Zentropa Entertainments
- Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) (in association with)
Distributors
- Aerofilms (2022) (Czechia) (theatrical)
- Alternative Films (1996) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Argus Film Produktie (1996) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Asociácia slovenských filmových klubov (ASFK) (2010) (Slovakia) (theatrical)
- Budapest Film (1997) (Hungary) (theatrical)
- CinemArt (1997) (Czechia) (theatrical)
- Curzon Film Distributors (2023) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Edko Films (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
- Euro Space (1997) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Eurocine (1997) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Film Tonic (1996) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Golem Distribución (1996) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Gussi Films (1996) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Gutek Film (1997) (Poland) (theatrical)
- Intercinema Art Agency (1997) (Russia) (theatrical)
- Karmen (1997) (Russia) (theatrical)
- Leopardo Filmes (1997) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Les Films du Losange (1996) (France) (theatrical)
- Les Films du Losange (2023) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- Lucky Red (1996) (Italy) (theatrical)
- October Films (1996) (United States) (theatrical) (dubbed)
- Ovo Films (1996) (Greece) (theatrical)
- Palace Films (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Pandora Filmproduktion (1996) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Pathe UK (1996) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Pathé Films (1996) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Russian Report (2021) (Russia) (theatrical)
- Senso Films (1996) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Triangelfilm (1996) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2010) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Umut Sanat Filmcilik (1997) (Turkey) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (1997) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Arthaus (2015) (Germany) (DVD) (and Blu-ray)
- Artisan Entertainment (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- Buena Vista International (1998) (Finland) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (1997) (Canada) (VHS)
- Evergreen Entertainment (1997) (United States) (VHS)
- Filmfreak Distributie (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Filmfreak Distributie (2000) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Flashstar Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Hollywood Classic Entertainment (2003) (Czechia) (DVD)
- Icelandic Film (1996) (Iceland)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (1999) (Germany) (DVD)
- Motion International (1997) (Canada) (VHS)
- Nachshon Films (1996) (Israel)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
- Telefilm Hellas (1997) (Greece) (VHS)
- Teleview International (1996) (Lebanon) (tv) (Middle East)
- The Criterion Channel (2020) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- The Criterion Collection (1997) (laserdisc)
- The Criterion Collection (2014) (United States) (DVD)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2010) (Australia) (video) (VOD)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1998) (Finland) (tv)
Special Effects
- Manipulation (digital visual effects)
Other Companies
- Cannes Film Festival (festival)
- Corbett & Keene (international public relations)
- Film Finances (completion bond)
- Lange-Møller Catering ApS (catering)
- Mainstream (sound recording facilities)
- Pollyanna Music Ltd. (music production)
- Scale/Strategies (marketing services)
- Sedgwick Dineen (insurance services supplied by)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Drama set in a repressed, deeply religious community in the north of Scotland, where a naive young woman named Bess McNeil meets and falls in love with Danish oil-rig worker Jan. Bess and Jan are deeply in love but, when Jan returns to his rig, Bess prays to God that he returns for good. Jan does return, his neck broken in an accident aboard the rig. Because of his condition, Jan and Bess are now unable to enjoy a sexual relationship and Jan urges Bess to take another lover and tell him the details. As Bess becomes more and more deviant in her sexual behavior, the more she comes to believe that her actions are guided by God and are helping Jan recover.
Written by Jonathan Broxton |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Love is a mighty power. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | DKK42,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Theatrical film debut of Emily Watson. She received an Oscar nomination and was expelled from the School of Economic Science (the alleged cult she was brought up in) for her role in this film. See more » |
| Goofs | When Jan leaves to go to the rig, one of the crew men gives Bess a flask of liquor. When she takes a sip, she's holding the flask with both hands and its opening is on the left side. There's a quick cut, and in the next shot the opening is shown to be on the right side of the flask. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Space Jam/The Mirror Has Two Faces/The English Patient/Breaking the Waves (1996). See more » |
| Soundtracks | All the Way from Memphis See more » |
| Quotes |
Dodo McNeill:
Not one of you has the right to consign Bess to hell! See more » |