Told mostly in flashback, the plot centers on Alexander Blom who owns a small salvage boat and lives on it with his wife Alice and son Johannes. The son wants to be a sailor but is thwarted by his overbearing father who dislikes him for being a hunchback.
Blom causes more upset when he installs his mistress Sally aboard, ostensibly to help Alice. Sally realizes the unhappiness Blom causes but he has promised they will escape to India as he knows he is going blind. Alice tolerates his humiliations as she thinks he will be hers when blind.
Johannes and Sally are drawn together and Bergman shows early signs of his mastery in dissecting character emotions in this hothouse atmosphere.
Sympathetic performances and lyrical cinematography contribute to an enjoyable drama.
Shelf or charity shop? I can see myself watching this again - although I think the end title is a little judgemental!
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