FAITHLESS

by Bergman, Ingmar

A writer, Bergman, at his work desk, creates in his imagination the story of Marianne; a woman who is unfaithful to her husband Markus, a conductor, and their 9-year-old child Isabelle, with a theatre director David. The affair unfolds in flashbacks, starting casually in Paris and growing in intensity to a disastrous denouement. David is violent and irrationally jealous. Markus discovers the lovers in bed and files for divorce. In the ensuing custody battle for Isabelle, Markus offers to give up his rights to the child if she will sleep with him once more, which in desperation she does. Marianne is forced to confess her action to David and he, (taking up the narrative), confesses his guilt at not supporting her. She is gone, apparently drowned.

Markus fails in an attempt to stage a suicide pact with Isabelle but kills himself.  His body is found by Mrs. Danelius who, it turns out. has been having an affair with him through his entire married life.

Marianne bids farewell to the writer who picks up a music box given to her by David.  It plays an aria from The Magic Flute.