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Film legend Ingmar Bergman dies

Last Modified: 30 Jul 2007
By: Krishnan Guru-Murthy

The film world is mourning the loss of legendary Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, who has died at the age of 89.

Bergman was an acknowledged master of modern cinema. In a 60-year career in theatre, radio and film his often stark themes of mortality, sexual torment and the vain search for the meaning of life brought nine Oscar nominations.

He helped influence a generation of filmmakers with classics such as Fanny and Alexander, The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries.

The writer, director and actor - also known as Buntel Eriksson - picked up 58 prestigious awards in his lifetime, and a further 14 nominations.

Born on 14 July 1918, the son of a priest, Bergman was self-taught and went on to produce 54 films, 126 theatre productions and 39 radio plays.

Off the set, his private life was often controversial - having been married five times, he was also known to have had liaisons with his leading actresses.

His own personal demons were to influence his filmmaking. In a rare interview with Reuters in 2001 he said: "The demons are innumerable, appear at the most inconvenient times and create panic and terror. But I have learnt that if I can master the negative forces and harness them to my chariot, then they can work to my advantage."

Bergman's daughter Eva Bergman, said her father died peacefully at his home on Faro, an island off the coast of Sweden.

Life of a film icon

Awards: three of his films won Oscars, and he was nominated for nine. Also picked up 58 prestigious awards - from the Golden Berlin Bear to the Palm of the Palms in Cannes - and a further 14 nominations.

Career: made 54 films, 126 theatre productions and 39 radio plays.

Education: Palmgren School, Stockholm. Stockholm University, 1938-1940.

Family life: Married Else Fisher in 1943 and had a daughter, Lena. Divorced in 1945. Married Ellen Lundström in 1945 and had two sons, Jan and Mats, and two daughters, Eva and Anna. Divorced 1950. Married Gun Grut in 1951, and had a son, Ingmar. Divorced. Married Käbi Laretei in 1959, and had a son Daniel Sebastian. Separated in 1965, then divorced. Had a daughter, Linn, by actress Liv Ullmann, in 1966. Married Ingrid von Rosen in 1971, and had daughter Maria von Rosen. Widowed 1995.