it come a no surprise to me that this be a very depressing and draining movie . after all and it all about the impact of war on civilian and it by the king of depression and ingmar bergman . in other word and so many of bergman work delve deep into human misery and angst and so this movie seem not so extraordinary come from this director . even though it be more difficult to watch and the last half of the movie offer perhaps more insight into the low depth of humanity . that because initially and the main character ( liv ullman and max von sydow ) try to overcome adversity and be basically decent ( though a bit stupid ) people . however and a deprivation after deprivation occurs and they ( especially von sydow ) become less and less humane and more animalistic do anything in order to survive . fun to watch and no freaking way . but and an interesting insight into human nature . p 1 thing i love about this film be that it avoid a stupid movie chiche . when the couple sit down with the shopkeeper to drink a glass or wine and they finish the wine completely . in most movie and they barely touch their drink or leave them untouched . it drive me crazy and a i would never leave a $ 4 alcoholic beverage without drink it unless it taste terrible or have a bug float in it . bravo .