Ingmar Bergman was born in Upsala Sweden, into a very strict family.  His father was a minister who eventually became the minister to the Royal Family.  He worshipped his mother, despite the fact that she was distant and often ran hot and cold emotionally.

His earliest memories are of light and dark, and these influenced his film making career.  His extremely disciplined childhood also left its mark on his life.  His life was split into the professional and private.  The disciplined and the tomultuous.  His films were carefully planned and executed.  His private life included five marriages of which four ended in divorce. He was known for his passionate affairs with his leading ladies.

He was known as the "poet with a camera", making over 50 films in his 40 year career.  He was admired world over for the serious tone that he brought to the motion pictures beginning in the 1950's.  His films included "The Seventh Seal".  He dealt with topics as diverse as the Crusader's search for God, to the oscilating family dramas in "Cries and Whispers".

According to Bertrand Travernier, Bergman became the first film maker to deal with the 'bigger' issues, life, death, suffering, pain and guilt.  He drew heavily on his childhood for these as well. 

In 1956 his movie "Smiles" won a special award at the Cannes Film Festival.  His 1960 movie "Virgin Spring" which dealt with the rape of a young woman, won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

He is survived by 9 children.

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