Summer Interlude

Summer Interlude

Year: 1951

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: Swedish

Director: Ingmar Bergman

DramaRomanceMoving relationship storiesCaptivating relationships and charming romancePassion and romance

The film follows a world‑class prima ballerina whose jaded exterior softens when an unexpected delivery of her former lover’s diary stirs memories of her first love affair. Through frank, fresh storytelling, the intimate romance unfolds with charm and honesty, revealing how past passion still lingers beneath her disciplined artistry.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Summer Interlude (1951)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Summer Interlude (1951). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-20th century present day with a past summer

The narrative centers on a contemporary era of Marie's dance career, with flashbacks to a summer thirteen years earlier. Those memories reveal a relationship marked by joy and tragedy, shaping her emotional armor. The diary acts as a bridge between the past and the present, guiding her through reconciliation with her lover and herself.

Location

the island, Aunt Elisabeth's house, the theatre

The story unfolds across a seaside island where Marie retreats to reconnect with a lost summer romance. It also moves between Aunt Elisabeth and Uncle Erland's summer house and the backstage area of the theatre where she rehearses Swan Lake. The island setting contrasts carefree youth with the disciplined, public world of a professional ballerina.

🏝️ Island 🏡 Summer house 🎭 Theatre

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:35

Main Characters – Summer Interlude (1951)

Meet the key characters of Summer Interlude (1951), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Marie (Maj-Britt Nilsson)

A successful but emotionally distant prima ballerina whose art hides deep grief. She is intensely dedicated to her craft, which serves as a barrier to intimate connection. The arrival of Henrik's diary disrupts her careful armor, forcing a reckoning with past love and present fidelity.

💃 Ballerina 🧠 Reserved 💔 Haunted by past

Henrik (Birger Malmsten)

Marie's first love, a carefree college student whose summer together is filled with lighthearted playfulness. His death after a perilous dive becomes the turning point that reshapes Marie's emotional life. He endures as a memory that haunts and motivates her, through Henrik's diary.

🎓 Dreamer 🌊 Youthful memory 💔 Lost love

Uncle Erland (Georg Funkquist)

A friend and admirer of Marie's mother who steers Marie toward emotional distance after Henrik's death. He orchestrates a winter withdrawal and hides the diary, revealing a morally gray manipulation of grief. His actions expose the dangers of nostalgia and control.

🧭 Manipulative 🕊️ Grief-driven 🎭 Ambiguity

David Nyström (Alf Kjellin)

Marie's journalist lover in the present day, patient and understanding. He reads Henrik's diary and becomes an ally in helping her open up about her past. His role is to bridge the gap between Marie's guarded self and a possible future together.

🗞️ Journalist 🤝 Supportive 🎭 Reconciler

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:35

Major Themes – Summer Interlude (1951)

Explore the central themes of Summer Interlude (1951), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕰️ Memory

Memory drives the plot as past summers resurface through Henrik's diary. The film juxtaposes youthful freedom with adult restraint, showing how recollections shape Marie's present behavior. The search for meaning lies in whether she can allow the past to inform her future rather than imprison her.

💔 Love & Loss

A first love ends in tragedy, leaving emotional walls that Marie constructs around herself. The diary exposes vulnerable truths, forcing her to confront what she has lost and what she still yearns for. The relationship with David becomes a test of forgiveness and openness.

🎨 Art & Identity

Marie's ballet career is both sanctuary and prison, shaping her identity as much as her memories do. The diary's revelations threaten the integrity of her artistic persona, pushing her to decide whether to perform or reveal her truth. The clash between stage perfection and inner life is the emotional core.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:35

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Unlock the Full Story of Summer Interlude

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Summer Interlude Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Summer Interlude, 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.

Summer Interlude Summary

Summer Interlude Timeline

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Summer Interlude Timeline

More About Summer Interlude

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More About Summer Interlude

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Summer Interlude (1951) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Summer Interlude (1951) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Summer Interlude (1951) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow