The Phantom Carriage (1921) poster5

Sweden10 Essential Swedish FilmsStop 5 of 10

The Phantom Carriage

Körkarlen

1921

On New Year's Eve, a dying drunkard is confronted by the legend that the last soul to die each year must drive Death's cart and collect the dead, forcing him to reckon with the ruin he has made of his life. Victor Sjöström's pioneering, ghostly silent classic.

Why it’s here

Victor Sjöström's Swedish silent classic and a foundational work of Swedish cinema.

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Part of 10 Essential Swedish Films

This film is stop 5 of 10 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through Sweden. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

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