Doctor Glas (1968) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The supplied text confirms the film's identity, literary origin, adaptation history, disrupted festival presentation, and reported commercial loss, but provides no narrative scenes or character actions.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Danish Literary Adaptation

The supplied reference identifies the film as a 1968 Danish drama directed by Mai Zetterling. It also establishes its connection to the novel Doctor Glas.

Key Events

• Film Directed by Mai Zetterling — The reference identifies Doctor Glas as a 1968 Danish drama directed by Mai Zetterling. Location: Denmark
• Adaptation of Doctor Glas — The film is described as an adaptation of the novel Doctor Glas. Location: Denmark

The Novel Behind the Film

The reference traces the film to Hjalmar Söderberg's 1905 novel. It provides no scene-level narrative details or character actions.

Key Events

• Novel Published in 1905 — The source states that the underlying novel was written by Hjalmar Söderberg and published in 1905. Location: Sweden

A History of Adaptation

The source notes that the same novel had already been made into a Swedish film in 1942. This establishes an adaptation history rather than a plot development.

Key Events

• Earlier Swedish Film Adaptation — The reference notes that the novel had previously been adapted into a 1942 Swedish film. Location: Sweden

Festival and Commercial Setbacks

The film was selected for the 1968 Cannes competition, but the festival was cancelled because of the May 1968 events. Fox records later reported rentals below the break-even figure.

Key Events

• Cannes Competition Disrupted — The film was listed for the 1968 Cannes competition, but the festival was cancelled because of the May 1968 events. Location: Cannes, France
• Studio Loss Reported — Fox records state that the film needed $500,000 in rentals to break even but had made $125,000 by December 1970. Location: Fox records

Story Breakdown

• Film Identification — The reference classifies Doctor Glas as a 1968 Danish drama.
  • 1968 Danish Production — The film is identified as a Danish drama released in 1968.
  • Mai Zetterling Direction — Mai Zetterling is identified as the director.
• Literary Foundation — The film is connected to the novel Doctor Glas.
  • Doctor Glas Novel — The reference names Doctor Glas as the source novel.
  • Hjalmar Söderberg — Hjalmar Söderberg is identified as the novel's author.
• Original Publication — The source places the novel's publication in the early twentieth century.
  • 1905 Publication — The novel is dated to 1905.
  • Source Text Legacy — The publication date establishes the literary work's earlier origin.
• Adaptation History — The reference records an earlier screen version of the same novel.
  • 1942 Swedish Film — A Swedish film adaptation from 1942 is mentioned.
  • Repeated Adaptation — The 1968 film is presented as a later adaptation of the same novel.
• Cannes Disruption — The film's planned 1968 Cannes presentation was affected by events in France.
  • Competition Listing — The film was listed to compete at the 1968 Cannes Film Festival.
  • Festival Cancellation — The festival was cancelled because of the May 1968 events in France.
• Commercial Outcome — Fox records describe rentals substantially below the break-even requirement.
  • Break Even Target — The film required $500,000 in rentals to break even.
  • Reported Studio Loss — By 11 December 1970, reported rentals were $125,000, resulting in a studio loss.

Directed by

Mai Zetterling

Key Cast

• Per Oscarsson — Dr. Glas
• Lone Hertz — Helga Gregorius
• Ulf Palme — Rev. Gregorius, Helga's husband
• Bente Dessau — Eva Martens
• Nils Eklund — Markel, journalist