A Danish farmer who preaches an open, joyous Christianity clashes with a fundamentalist tailor who refuses his daughter to marry his youngest son. Meanwhile he contends with another far gone son who fancies himself the Christ and the eldest, a nonbeliever whose loving wife's labor complications may hold miraculous implications. Carl Theodor Dreyer's Ordet is highly involving and completely moving with a stunning, phenomenal ending. A degree of staginess is made up for by its exemplary cinematography.
**** out of ****
