Scenes from a Marriage

S01E06: In the Middle of the Night in a Dark House Somewhere in the World

Marianne and Johan have married other people, but are unhappy. Having met coincidentally in a theatre some time earlier, they have begun secretly seeing each other again. On the 20th anniversary of their wedding, they decide to spend time together at their country house. Finding that too strange, they go to a friend's country house instead. There they discuss how much they have changed, with Marianne more self-conscious and Johan accepting his real abilities. When Marianne awakes panicking from a nightmare, Johan comforts her.

Overview

Johan and Marianne are married and seem to have it all. Their happiness, however, is a façade for a troubled relationship, which becomes even rockier when Johan admits that he's having an affair. Before long, the spouses separate and move towards finalizing their divorce, but they make attempts at reconciling. Even as they pursue other relationships, Johan and Marianne realize that they have a significant bond, but also many issues that hinder that connection.

Episodes

Innocence and Panic

S01E01 Innocence and Panic

April 11, 1973 6.0 52 min
The story begins around Marianne's and Johan's 10th anniversary, when a reporter for a women's magazine interviews them. Peter and Katarina visit later for dinner, and cruelly humiliate one another.
The Art of Sweeping Things Under the Rug

S01E02 The Art of Sweeping Things Under the Rug

April 18, 1973 6.0 41 min
Marianne tries to withdraw from a Sunday dinner with her parents but fails and realizes how difficult it is for her to let down other people's expectations. Johan flirts with another woman at work.
Paula

S01E03 Paula

April 25, 1973 6.0 51 min
Johan came home unexpectedly and told Marianne that he'd been in a love affair with someone named Paula. After his declaration of breaking away from the past, and Marianne's failing to detain him, Johan drove...
The Vale of Tears

S01E04 The Vale of Tears

May 2, 1973 6.0 51 min
Johan is disillusioned with Paula and revisits Marianne. They discuss their current lives and Johan attempts to initiate sex, but Marianne is unwilling. He attempts to spend the night but cannot sleep and leaves.
The Illiterates

S01E05 The Illiterates

May 9, 1973 4.5 51 min
Marianne and Johan meet at his office to sign divorce papers, but Johan refuses. The two fight savagely. Johan declares that they are emotional illiterates. They sign the papers.
In the Middle of the Night in a Dark House Somewhere in the World

S01E06 In the Middle of the Night in a Dark House Somewhere in the World

May 16, 1973 5.0 51 min
Marianne and Johan have married other people, but are unhappy. Having met coincidentally in a theatre some time earlier, they have begun secretly seeing each other again. On the 20th anniversary of their wedding, they...

Cast

Liv Ullmann
Liv Ullmann
Marianne
Erland Josephson
Erland Josephson
Johan
Bibi Andersson
Bibi Andersson
Katarina
Jan Malmsjö
Jan Malmsjö
Peter
Gunnel Lindblom
Gunnel Lindblom
Eva
Wenche Foss
Wenche Foss
Modern
Bertil Norström
Bertil Norström
Arne
Anita Wall
Anita Wall
Fru Palm, journalist
Rossana Mariano
Eva
Lena Bergman
Karin
Ingmar Bergman
Ingmar Bergman
Press photographer (uncredited)
Barbro Hiort af Ornäs
Barbro Hiort af Ornäs
Fru Jacobi (uncredited)

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