Elisabeth Vogler is an actress, now being cared for in an institution. She has not spoken for several years, traumatised by something in her past, and the doctors seem unable to do anything about her mute state. Visiting her every day is Nurse Alma, who keeps up a monologue as she cares for Elisabeth. Through gauging Elisabeth's reactions to what she says, Alma slowly starts to piece together the event's of her charge's past. A typically labyrinthine Ingmar Bergman tale, and obviously not an action-packed story. Liv Ullmann has the hardest role, to relay her character's feelings and anguish without any lines. Bergman adds to the psychological dimensions by having lead actresses Ullmann and Andersson physically resemble each other. One for Bergman's dedicated fans, but rewarding for those who will stick with it.