The Outlaw and His Wife / Victor Sjostrom

A masterpiece of the Swedish silent cinema, Victor Sjostrom's The Outlaw And His Wife is a film of remarkable psychological complexity, which bore a profound influence on the work of Ingmar Bergman and Carl Theodor Dreyer.

When a mysterious stranger (played by Sjostrom) is hired on at a farm by its widowed owner (Edith Erastoff, who would later become Sjostrom's wife), a romantic bond quickly forms. But the man's troubled past foils their chances at happiness, and forces them to seek refuge in the nearby mountains. Sjostrom's masterful use of landscape is visually and dramatically stunning, particularly the film's latter half, as the couple battles both their pursuers and nature itself, culminating in an unforgettable climax.

Also featured on this DVD is Gosta Werner's 1981 documentary Victor Sjostrom, which recounts the life and career of the legendary Swedish director, with commentary by his longtime admirer, director Ingmar Bergman.

THE OUTLAW AND HIS WIFE: This early silent feature from Swedish director Victor Sjostrom is a great example of his craft. Sjostrom plays a man who is hired to work on a farm, and then falls in love with its widowed owner. They flee the farm after Sjostrom's checkered past finally catches up with him.

VICTOR SJOSTROM: Sjostrom's career is recalled in this documentary feature by fellow Swede Gosta Werner. The film examines Sjostrom's techniques and the enormous influence he cast over European cinema. Celebrated director Ingmar Bergman, who frequently cited Sjostrom as an influence, is among the stars who pay tribute.