I persuaded the veteran director and actor, Victor Sjostrom, to take on the main role in Wild Strawberries. We had worked together before in To Joy without feeling any irresistible need to do so again. Victor was tired and ill, and his work had to be fenced round with various considerations. Among other things, I had to promise he would be back home with his habitual whisky punctually every day at half-past four.

Our collaboration began appallingly. Victor was nervous and I was tense. He overacted and I drew his attention to the fact that he was playing to the gallery. He at once shrouded himself in surly withdrawal, then said there was sure to be someone else who could play the part according to my wishes, and that his doctor would give him a sick note any day.

When the girls put in an appearance, the situation brightened. The old charmer delighted in the affectionate bantering attentions of the ladies, flirted with them and bought them flowers and small presents. Unnoticed and privately, I had filmed Bibi Andersson in a slightly decollete turn-of-thecentury dress sitting on a meadow bank feeding Victor with wild strawberries. He snapped at her ringers and both of them laughed, the young woman clearly flattered, the old lion obviously delighted.