Ordet

Main Plot

Ordet revolves around a rural family in Denmark grappling with faith, love, and the complexities of belief. The story centers on the Borgen family, particularly focusing on the tensions between the devoutly religious patriarch, Morten, and his son, Peter, who has embraced a more secular worldview. The family faces a crisis when another son, Johannes, who believes he is Christ, struggles with his mental health and religious fervor. The plot thickens as a love story unfolds between Peter and a local woman, which is met with resistance due to differing beliefs. As the family navigates their internal conflicts and the challenges posed by their faith, the narrative explores themes of hope, despair, and the transformative power of love. The film culminates in a profound exploration of the intersection between faith and the human experience, ultimately questioning the nature of miracles and belief.

Characters

• Henrik Malberg portrays Morten Borgen, the patriarch whose unwavering faith and family dynamics drive the central conflict and resolution in the story.
• Emil Hass Christensen portrays Mikkel Borgen, a farmer's son struggling with faith, whose family faces a crisis that challenges their beliefs and relationships.
• Preben Lerdorff Rye plays Johannes, who believes he's Jesus Christ, bringing tension and eventual miraculous resolution to the family's struggles with faith and death.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Ordet, the film culminates in a profound moment of faith and resurrection. After a series of tragic events, including the death of the character Inger, her family grapples with despair and doubt. The main conflict revolves around the struggle between faith and reason, as the characters are divided by their beliefs. As the narrative progresses, the character Johannes, who believes he is Christ, takes center stage. In a climactic scene, he enters the room where Inger's lifeless body lies and calls upon her to rise. This moment is charged with tension, as the family watches, torn between skepticism and hope. In a miraculous turn, Inger awakens, symbolizing the triumph of faith over despair. This resurrection not only resolves the immediate conflict surrounding her death but also reinforces the film's overarching themes of belief, the power of love, and the possibility of redemption. The ending leaves the audience contemplating the nature of faith and the extraordinary within the ordinary, encapsulating the film's exploration of spirituality and human connection. Ultimately, Ordet concludes on a note of hope, suggesting that faith can transcend even the deepest sorrow.