The Touch

The Touch

Year: 1971

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: Swedish

Director: Ingmar Bergman

RomanceDrama

A Swedish housewife embarks on an illicit affair with a foreign archaeologist who is haunted by his past as a Jewish survivor of a concentration camp. Their bond is strained by deep emotional wounds, cultural distance and guilt, making the relationship painfully fragile and complex.

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Timeline & Setting – The Touch (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Touch (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1970s

The drama plays out in a contemporary period for its production, focusing on modern domestic life and a cross-continental romance. Characters move through a Swedish town, a London apartment, and an academic setting in Denmark, highlighting a global dimension to personal relationships. WWII memory and trauma are referenced as a lasting backdrop to present-day choices.

Location

Sweden, London, Denmark

The story unfolds in a quiet Swedish town and moves between the couple's life in London and a potential Danish university appointment. Key locations include a hospital where Andreas works and a clinic where Karin's mother is ill, as well as a restored church associated with David's archaeological work. The setting widens from Sweden to London and Denmark, underscoring a transnational, intimate drama.

🇸🇪 Swedish town 🏥 Hospital setting ⛪ Church restoration

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:58

Main Characters – The Touch (1971)

Meet the key characters of The Touch (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

David Kovac (Elliott Gould)

An American archaeologist in Sweden, David is charismatic yet distant, often controlling and emotionally volatile. His past trauma—told as Nazi-era losses—casts a shadow over his ability to form stable attachments. He initiates an affair with Karin, only to confront the fragility of his own feelings and control.

🧭 Complex 💥 Volatile 🧠 Intellectual

Karin Vergerus (Bibi Andersson)

A Swedish housewife entangled between a long-standing marriage and a dangerous attraction. She seeks connection through the affair while wrestling with her sense of duty to her husband and children. Ultimately she must decide whether to stay in Sweden or follow David to a new life.

💘 Romantic conflict 🧭 Inner conflict 🇸🇪 Domestic life

Andreas Vergerus (Max von Sydow)

Karin's husband, a hospital physician who embodies calm authority. He faces anonymous letters accusing David of infidelity, challenging the stability of his marriage. His stern, protective stance highlights the pressure to uphold propriety in a close-knit family.

💂️ Husband 🏥 Medical world 🧭 Authority

Sara Kovac (Sheila Reid)

David's sister, a woman with congenital health problems who asserts that David will never leave her. She also hints at Karin's possible pregnancy, complicating the central relationship. Her presence adds vulnerability and a check on the independence of the couple.

👩‍👧 Family ties 🧩 Complex relationships 🧬 Health issues

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:58

Major Themes – The Touch (1971)

Explore the central themes of The Touch (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Betrayal

A forbidden affair destabilizes marriage and tests loyalty. Karin wrestles with desire, duty, and the fear of losing her family. David's intense mood swings and manipulation expose how passion can erode security and trust.

🕯️ Memory and Trauma

David recounts family losses during World War II, weaving the past into the present romance. The intrusion of memory unsettles intimacy and trust. The film uses trauma to complicate personal connection and accountability.

🌫️ Ambiguity and Identity

Characters question whether love is genuine or performative within societal roles. Karin's departure hints at a search for authenticity beyond marriage. The uncertainty surrounding motives and commitments lingers, shaping the film's emotional atmosphere.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:58

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Unlock the Full Story of The Touch

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Touch 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 The Touch is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Touch Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Touch, 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.

The Touch Summary

The Touch Timeline

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

The Touch Timeline

More About The Touch

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Touch: 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 The Touch

Explore More About Movie The Touch

The Touch (1971) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Touch (1971) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Touch (1971) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow