This Bergman film could easily have been a filmed play. Three pregnant ladies in a hospital room in various stages of childbirth. It deserved the Cannes best actress award for the lady ensemble--as it captures the moods of a mom doesn't want to bring the child to this world, another who is eager to do so and a third who is insecure to do so. Bergman won the Best Director award at Cannes that year beating Martin Ritt for his "The long, hot summer,' Satyajit Ray for his "Paras Pathar (The Philosopher's Stone)" and Michael Cacoyannis for his "A Matter of Dignity." I am an admirer of Bergman's body of work but this decision I feel was out of place. The film was ably directed but not worthy of the Best Director honor considering the three competing films.