Smiles of a Summer Night

Smiles of a Summer Night

Year: 1955

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: Swedish

Director: Ingmar Bergman

RomanceComedy

Set in the early 20th century, middle‑aged lawyer Fredrik Egerman and his much younger wife Anne have yet to consummate their marriage. Fredrik’s son becomes drawn to his stepmother, raising tension. Meanwhile, Fredrik’s ex‑lover Desiree bets she can seduce him at a weekend retreat attended by four couples, sparking partner swapping and pairings.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Smiles of a Summer Night yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Smiles of a Summer Night (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Turn of the 20th century

The story unfolds during a period characterized by social stratification and traditional values in Sweden. This era was marked by a blend of Victorian-era influence and the onset of modernity, with cultural festivities like Midsummer playing a significant role in social life. The time period's conventions influence the characters' behaviors and relationships.

Location

Sweden, Desiree's country house

The movie is set mainly in Sweden around the turn of the twentieth century, capturing a period of traditional customs and social hierarchies. The country house during Midsummer Night serves as a central location, embodying Swedish cultural festivities and the intimacy of rural life. The setting emphasizes the contrast between societal expectations and personal desires.

🇸🇪 Scandinavian 🏡 Rustic 🎉 Festive

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:55

Main Characters – Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)

Meet the key characters of Smiles of a Summer Night (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Fredrik Egerman (Gunnar Björnstrand)

A middle-aged lawyer caught in a complicated marriage and haunted by past infidelities. He is introspective and often conflicted about his desires and social obligations. Egerman seeks meaning and happiness amidst his familial and romantic dilemmas.

🎩 Lawyer 📜 Loyal 🤔 Conflicted

Desiree Armfeldt (Eva Dahlbeck)

A talented stage actress struggling with love, reputation, and her role in the lives of others. Desiree is charming and emotionally complex, embodying the themes of longing and societal judgment. She navigates her relationships with wit and vulnerability.

🎭 Actress 💃 Seductive 🎭 Tragic

Henrik Egerman (Björn Bjelfvenstam)

A young man torn between his religious studies and passionate love for his stepmother. He is conflicted and idealistic, driven by youthful intensity and moral dilemmas. Henrik's actions propel much of the story’s romantic tension.

👨‍🎓 Student 💘 Passionate 🤫 Secretive

Charlotte (Margit Carlqvist)

The Count's wife, caught between her love for her husband and her feelings of loneliness and longing. She is a sympathetic character, seeking genuine affection in a marriage constrained by social obligations.

❤️ Tragic 💔 Lonely 💃 Elegant

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:55

Major Themes – Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)

Explore the central themes of Smiles of a Summer Night (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌺 Love & Desire

The film explores complex romantic entanglements and unfulfilled passions. Characters grapple with societal expectations, personal longing, and the pursuit of happiness amid traditional morals. The narrative highlights how love often defies societal norms, leading to humorous, tragic, and poignant moments.

🌀 Illusion & Reality

Throughout the movie, characters live behind facades of propriety, masks, and pretense. Their interactions reveal hidden truths and unspoken emotions, blurring the line between appearance and reality. This theme underscores the disparity between outer appearances and inner truths, often leading to comic situations.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:55

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Witty Comedies of Manners like Smiles of a Summer Night

Intricate social dances where wit and charm mask deep-seated desires.If you enjoyed the clever social interplay of Smiles of a Summer Night, explore more sophisticated romantic comedies. These films feature sharp dialogue, intricate plots of mistaken identities and partner-swapping, and a charmingly bittersweet look at love and class.

wittycharmingsophisticatedromanticcontemplativedramaticnostalgic

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically revolve around a confined social setting, like a weekend party or a season in a specific locale, where a web of romantic entanglements between multiple characters is exposed and reconfigured. The plot is driven by secrets, bets, and miscommunications, leading to a climax where true feelings are revealed and new, more suitable pairings are often formed.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared foundation in witty banter, a focus on the rules and hypocrisies of a particular social class, and a tone that blends romantic warmth with incisive social observation. The experience is intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying.

Movies about transformative gatherings like Smiles of a Summer Night

A gathering forces characters to confront long-hidden truths and desires.Fans of the pivotal country house weekend in Smiles of a Summer Night will enjoy these ensemble dramas. Discover films where a single event or retreat brings hidden tensions to the surface, forcing characters to swap partners and rethink their lives in a bittersweet yet hopeful way.

dramaticcontemplativenostalgicromanticjealousrevealinghopeful

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves assembling a disparate group in an isolated or significant location (a country house, a resort, a wedding). Over a short, intense period, secrets are unveiled, jealousies flare, and characters are pushed to make decisive choices about their relationships. The journey is emotionally charged, often ending with a sense of hopeful resolution, albeit tinged with the melancholy of lessons learned.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific structural device and emotional arc. They are united by their use of a confined setting to catalyze drama, a focus on the bittersweet nature of human connection, and a pacing that builds steadily towards a collective emotional climax.

Unlock the Full Story of Smiles of a Summer Night

Don't stop at just watching — explore Smiles of a Summer Night in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Smiles of a Summer Night is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Smiles of a Summer Night Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Smiles of a Summer Night, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Smiles of a Summer Night Summary

Smiles of a Summer Night Timeline

Track the full timeline of Smiles of a Summer Night with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Smiles of a Summer Night Timeline

Smiles of a Summer Night Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Smiles of a Summer Night that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Smiles of a Summer Night Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Smiles of a Summer Night

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Smiles of a Summer Night: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Smiles of a Summer Night

Similar Movies to Smiles of a Summer Night

Discover movies like Smiles of a Summer Night that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.