The Parson's Widow (1920)

 Carl Theodor Dreyer's "The Parson's Widow"

Carl Theodor Dreyer started his career as a journalist. He was very fond of films, especially the films of Victor Sjostrom, whose films astonished him in the neighboring country of Sweden. Dreyer often would write glowing reviews for these films. Eventually, Dreyer would join the film industry by writing title cards. During the first World War, European films became scarce, and audiences only had American imports to rely on. Because of this scarcity, Dreyer became more and more involved in the filmmaking process and eventually started making his own films. One of his very first films, "The Parson's Widow," was noted for its interesting direction.

The film takes place in the mid-1600s. A young theologian is granted a parsonage, much to the joy of his fiancé. However, in order to become a parson, he must marry the elderly widow of the previous parson. The young man marries this old woman and tries to increase her likelihood of death, so that he may marry his fiancé. However, after his fiancé takes a nasty tumble, the old lady nurses her back to health, gaining the admiration of the new parson. The couple begin to learn from the wisdom of the widow until her natural death.

The film is noted for its interesting use of direction. Dreyer, much like his admirer Victor Sjostrom, spends much more time lingering on images. Many directors during this time, especially Hollywood directors, were far more kinetic with their direction. Dreyer, on the other hand, seemed to focus more on individual expression, as he lingered on the faces of his characters. Another element of his direction was the unlimited perspective of the camera. Dreyer liked to film his characters from all sides, rather than having them placed in a stage-sized area in front of it. The full 360-degree scope of the setting, as well as the close-ups with which Dreyer filmed his characters, created a far more intimate experience for the viewer. It allowed them to live inside the world that Dreyer had created, so that they may obtain the full breadth of experience.

The film, upon the first release, received mixed reviews. Some critics hailed the picture as 'boring,' while others called it the best 'Swedish film of the season.' Today, "The Parson's Widow" is considered the ignition point for the career of one of the most celebrated auteurs in film history.