Ingrid Bergman: What Movies to Start With, Starring the Classic Cinema Legend

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Ingrid Bergman is number four on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars list, after Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, and Audrey Hepburn.

She wasn't a great beauty, but had her style and her way among the biggest stars of the fascinating Hollywood Epoque, together with a unique talent, who made directors consider her one of the best, along with Audrey Hepburn.

Ingrid was without doubt one of the most interesting actresses of all times, for the roles she was distributed in, and also for the life she has had.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1915, she received during her career three Oscars and was the winner of the triple film recognition called Triple Crown of Acting.

This was a special category for actors and actresses who are winners of the Oscars, Tony, and Emmy.

She was probably considered the successor of another famous Swedish legend, Greta Garbo.

He starred in numerous films, the best known being Casablanca (1942).

Since you already probably know everything about this film, let's dive into a list of less-known films, that might catch your eye and curiosity. You should definitely start with these films if you want to start "getting to know" Ingrid Bergman and her work.

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For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)

This is a war film produced and directed by Sam Wood and starring Gary Cooper, Ingrid Bergman. It is based on the famous Ernest Hemingway novel.

The film is about an American International Brigades volunteer, Robert Jordan (Cooper), who is fighting in the Spanish Civil War against the fascists. During his desperate mission to blow up a strategically important bridge to protect Republican forces, Jordan falls in love with a young woman guerrilla fighter (Bergman). (source: Wikipedia)

The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning one.

Gaslight (1944)

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Gaslight is a 1944 American psychological thriller film directed by George Cukor and starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, and Angela Lansbury (in her film debut).

For her interpretation, Bergman received her first Academy Award for Best Actress.

Adapted by John Van Druten, Walter Reisch, and John L. Balderston from Patrick Hamilton's play Gas Light (1938), it follows a young woman whose husband slowly manipulates her into believing that she is descending into insanity. (source Wikipedia)

The film was a big hit, received seven Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture, winning two: Best Actress (for Bergman), and Best Production Design.

The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". (source Wikipedia)

Notorious (1946)

As I said many times before, a Hitchcock is a Hitchcock, and so this mystery noir, starring the best of the best: Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant.

One of the best mystery thrillers with influences of horror, the film is one of the best ever made.

It has been placed on the list of the 100 Best Thrillers and Horror Movies of All Time, and on the list of the 100 Best Sentimental Movies of All Time. (Wikipedia)

Joan of Arc (1948)

Joan of Arc is an American hagiographic epic film directed by Victor Fleming, and starring Ingrid Bergman as the eponymous French religious icon and war heroine.

The film is a straightforward recounting of the life of the French heroine. (source: Wikipedia)

Indiscreet (1958)

After doing "Notorious" with Cary Grant, the two had such a beautiful friendship, that they were easily convinced to do a second film together, ten years later.

There is a story on how much Cary was supporting and helping Ingrid, and how she took the part in Indiscreet even without reading the script, just because Cary was going to be in it.

The film is a romantic comedy, and a total delight by characters, plot, dialogues, costumes, and so much more. Not to be missed.

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