Sven Nykvist, the highly respected cinematographer most closely associated with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, occasionally turns his hand to direction, as in the case of this beautifully acted, truth-based tale set in the rural Sweden of the 1860s, struck by famine following a series of crop failures. A farmer (Stellan Skarsgard) and his wife (Ewa Froling), on the verge of starvation, slaughter an ox belonging to their landlord. Encouraged by the pastor (Max Von Sydow), the farmer confesses - and lands up in prison. The story pits survival against morality as the wife struggles to feed herself and their child. In its telling of this harsh story, the movie presents a clear view of right and wrong and celebrates the eventual triumph of human love. Making fine use of real locations and a wonderful changing colour palette to reflect the drama, Nykvist's picture is far less 'difficult' than it would first appear.

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