Editing The Virgin Spring (section)

===Development===
[[File:Ulla Isaksson.jpg|thumb|Novelist [[Ulla Isaksson]] wrote the screenplay, particularly interested in questions of faith.]]
Director [[Ingmar Bergman]] first read about the legend of Per Töre, who had seven daughters who fell victim to seven rapists, as a student, and felt it was ideal for adaptation. He had proposed it as a ballet for the [[Royal Swedish Opera]] or as a play, but decided a film would be most suitable while making ''[[Wild Strawberries (film)|Wild Strawberries]]''.{{sfn|Gado|1986|p=242}} For adaptation, Bergman chose "[[Töres döttrar i Wänge]]" as among the simplest of the ballads about Töre.{{sfn|Gado|1986|pp=242–243}}

New influences came from [[Cinema of Japan|Japanese cinema]], with Bergman particularly being a fan of ''[[Rashomon]]'' (1950). He later referred to ''The Virgin Spring'' as "a wretched imitation of [[Akira Kurosawa|Kurosawa]]".{{sfn|Gado|1986|p=241}} For a screenwriter, Bergman chose novelist [[Ulla Isaksson]]. Isaksson had written a novel set in medieval times and was acclaimed for its realism, which Bergman felt might prevent repeat of some criticisms of his 1957 film ''[[The Seventh Seal]]''.{{sfn|Gado|1986|p=242}} In writing the screenplay, Isaksson was most interested in exploring conflicts between Christianity and paganism, while Bergman wanted to dissect guilt.{{sfn|Gado|1986|p=243}}

[[SF Studios]] required Bergman to make a comedy before agreeing to produce ''The Virgin Spring''. The comedy became ''[[The Devil's Eye]]''.{{sfn|Gado|1986|p=253}}