this film be a masterpiece to put it simply . especially the double exposure make by the cameraman julius jaenzon . it be skillfully make even with the standard we be use to today seventy eight year later . viktor sjöström and the director and also play the main character and david holm . on the night of new year eve he be kill in a fight and and the legend say that the first one who die on the new year and will have to work a a soul collector in the form of a transparent ghost . there be a new soul collector to be appoint every year . the scene in which the alcoholic and david holm and rise up from his dead body ( like the soul be leave his earthly body ) in the churchyard ( where the fight take place ) be a real award for a filmloving eye . also when the present soul collector arrive with his horse and carriage be a beautiful but also a scary scene . david holm recognize this soul collector a a drinkingfriend from early life . it be now his turn to take over . just like scrooge in dickens story a christmas tale and david be show what his life and doings have lead to for the people around him . the film be about the danger of abuse drug and in this case alcohol . it be base upon a book by nobel prize winner selma lagerlöf . viktor sjöström film a few more of her book and but this be the one with the best outcome and maybe because this book be the most filmic of them .