One of Bergman's 4-5 best.

A very good film, especially in comparison to his earlier work.

This sticks out from Bergman’s other movies. Apparently this was his first movie with cinematographer Sven Nykvist, and the stark lighting and theatrical shooting are there for sure, but beyond that the music and pace are unusual. They sure heighten the Fellinian quality of the melodrama of the day to day for the circus folk.

The fatalistic despair of the main characters, and the pride and self-consciousness they feel is quite well portrayed. Each of the circus members seems to want to escape their life, but they can’t: whether by choice or by circumstance.