A Man There Was

A Man There Was

Directed by Victor Sjöström

Produced by Svenska Biografteatern

191756 min7.1 / 10

A somber, morally weighty silent drama about a seafarer's struggle between vengeance and mercy after tragedy strips him of everything.

Terje Vigen, a sailor, suffers the loss of his family through the inflexibility of another man. Years later, when his enemy's family finds itself dependent on his benevolence, Terje must decide whether to avenge himself.

Questions people ask

  • Is A Man There Was sad? Yes, very. More sad than 99% of films.

  • Does A Man There Was end with hope? Barely. Less hopeful than 78% of films.

  • Is A Man There Was easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 74% of films.

  • Is A Man There Was scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 61% of films.

  • Is A Man There Was violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

59/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity58

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise49

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love72

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like A Man There Was

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as A Man There Was

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like A Man There Was, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like A Man There Was, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like A Man There Was, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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