Italy / Aug 26, 1955 / Venice Film Festival
A Legend for Today
2h 5min
Overall average
5.0/10
Trailer
Videos
Plot
The three sons of devout Danish farmer Morten have widely disparate religious beliefs. Youngest son Anders shares his father's religion, but eldest son Mikkel has lost his faith, while middle child Johannes has become delusional and proclaims that he is Jesus Christ himself. When Mikkel's wife, Inger goes into a difficult childbirth, everyone's beliefs are put to the test.
Main cast
Full cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Sylvia Eckhausen | Kirstin Petersen (uncredited) |
| Ann Elisabeth Groth | Maren Borgen (uncredited) |
| Susanne Rud | Lilleinger Borgen (uncredited) |
| Ove Rud | Pastor (uncredited) |
| Henry Skjær | The Doctor (uncredited) |
| Edith Trane | Mette Maren (uncredited) |
| Hanne Agesen | Karen (uncredited) |
| Kirsten Andreasen | (uncredited) |
Genres
Drama
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | Ordet |
| Original language | Dansk (DA) |
| Spoken languages | Dansk |
| Production countries | Denmark |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | Palladium |
| Release date | 9 gennaio 1955 |
| Production | Carl Theodor Dreyer, Erik Nielsen, Tage Nielsen |
| Writer | Kaj Munk, Carl Theodor Dreyer |
| Editing | Edith Schlüssel |
| Cinematography | Henning Bendtsen, John Carlsen, Erik Wittrup Willumsen |
| Assistant directors | Karen Petersen, Jesper Gottschalch, Carl Theodor Dreyer, Sven Poulsen |
| Lighting | Lauritz Fuglsang, Bruno Fuglsang, Helge Bille, Ove Hansen, Viggo Staal |
| Camera operators | John Carlsen, Henning Bendtsen, Erik Wittrup Willumsen |
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| Additional photography | John Carlsen, Henning Bendtsen, Erik Wittrup Willumsen |
| Production design | Erik Aaes |
| Art direction | Erik Aaes |
| Set decoration | Erik Aaes |
| Music | Poul Schierbeck, Knud Kristensen, Emil Reesen, Sylvia Schierbeck |
| Sound | Knud Kristensen, Emil Reesen, Sylvia Schierbeck, Poul Schierbeck |
| Costume design | N. Sandt Jensen, Roma Jensen |
| Makeup | Roma Jensen, N. Sandt Jensen |
| Hairstyling | N. Sandt Jensen, Roma Jensen |
Release dates
Premiere
Theatrical release
Denmark / Jan 09, 1955 / 15
Sweden / Mar 30, 1955
Finland / Nov 04, 1955
France / Dec 28, 1955
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United States / Dec 15, 1957
Italy / Feb 11, 1959
Australia / May 27, 1966
Spain / Jan 28, 1974
Greece / Aug 14, 2025 / Re-Release
Digital
France / Apr 29, 2016 / VOD
Physical media
France / Oct 20, 2010 / DVD
TV
Germany / Mar 30, 1969
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