Edvard Munch Special Edition Part 1 (1976)

Drama Historical Famously described by Ingmar Bergman as a work of genius Peter Watkins multifaceted masterpiece is more than just a biopic of the iconic Norwegian Expressionist painter Focusing initially on Munchs formative years in late 19th Century Oslo Watkins uses his trademark style to create a vivid picture of the emotional political and social upheavals that would have such an effect on his art The young artist Geir Westby has an affair with Mrs Heiberg Gro Fraas a devastating experience that will haunt him for the rest of his life and his work is viciously attacked by the critics and public alike He is forced to leave his home country for Berlin where along with the notorious Swedish playwright August Strindberg he becomes part of the cultural storm that is to sweep Europe