---
name: "Sven Nykvist"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sven-nykvist"
fi1m_id: "sven-nykvist"
imdb_id: "nm0005815"
tmdb_id: 11905
wikidata_id: "Q312290"
roles: ["Cinematographer"]
born: "3 December 1922"
died: "20 September 2006"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 84
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-23T04:06:54.667377+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sven Nykvist

## Identity

Sven Nykvist

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sven-nykvist
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sven-nykvist
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005815
- **TMDB ID:** 11905
- **Wikidata ID:** Q312290
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sven_Nykvist, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312290, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005815/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11905

Cinematographer. Born 3 December 1922 in Moheda, Kronobergs län, Sweden. Died 20 September 2006.

## Details

- **Work:** Cinematographer
- **Born:** 3 December 1922, Moheda, Kronobergs län, Sweden
- **Died:** 20 September 2006
- **Active:** 1961–1993
- **Frequently works with:** [Ingmar Bergman](https://film.one/person/ingmar-bergman.md), [Liv Ullmann](https://film.one/person/liv-ullmann.md), [Erland Josephson](https://film.one/person/erland-josephson.md), [Gunnar Björnstrand](https://film.one/person/gunnar-bjornstrand.md), [Lars-Owe Carlberg](https://film.one/person/lars-owe-carlberg.md), [Max von Sydow](https://film.one/person/max-von-sydow.md), [Allan Edwall](https://film.one/person/allan-edwall.md), [Allan Ekelund](https://film.one/person/allan-ekelund.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 2 Oscars (2 won · 1 nominated)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 83 (4), 1970s 88 (2), 1980s 83 (3), 1990s 78 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 85 to 79 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Genres:** Drama 10, Romance 3, Comedy 2, Crime 1, Fantasy 1, Horror 1
- **Screen time:** 20 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $263m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sven_Nykvist, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312290, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005815/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11905

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Fanny and Alexander*](https://film.one/film/fanny-and-alexander.md) (92), [*Persona*](https://film.one/film/persona.md) (89), [*Cries and Whispers*](https://film.one/film/cries-and-whispers.md) (87), [*Through a Glass Darkly*](https://film.one/film/through-a-glass-darkly.md) (82)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Scenes from a Marriage*](https://film.one/film/scenes-from-a-marriage-1974.md) (88)
- **Tubi:** [*Crimes and Misdemeanors*](https://film.one/film/crimes-and-misdemeanors.md) (84)
- **Netflix:** [*Sleepless in Seattle*](https://film.one/film/sleepless-in-seattle.md) (78)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Sven Nykvist (3 December 1922 – 20 September 2006) was a Swedish cinematographer. He was born in Moheda, Kronobergs län. He worked extensively with director Ingmar Bergman from the 1950s onwards.

Nykvist received Academy Awards for best cinematography for Bergman's *Cries and Whispers* (1972) and *Fanny and Alexander* (1982). His other credits include *The Virgin Spring* (1960), *Persona* (1966), *The Tenant* (1976), *Autumn Sonata* (1978), *Crimes and Misdemeanors* (1989), *Chaplin* (1992), *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993) and *What's Eating Gilbert Grape* (1993). He also directed the feature *The Ox* (1991), which was nominated for the Academy Award for best foreign language film.

*Sources: latimes.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, nytimes.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993), Fi1m 78, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/sleepless-in-seattle.md)
- *Crimes and Misdemeanors* (1989), Fi1m 84, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/crimes-and-misdemeanors.md)
- *The Unbearable Lightness of Being* (1988), Fi1m 74, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-unbearable-lightness-of-being.md)
- *Fanny and Alexander* (1982), Fi1m 92, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/fanny-and-alexander.md)
- *Scenes from a Marriage* (1974), Fi1m 88, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/scenes-from-a-marriage-1974.md)
- *Cries and Whispers* (1972), Fi1m 87, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/cries-and-whispers.md)
- *Hour of the Wolf* (1968), Fi1m 74, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/hour-of-the-wolf.md)
- *Persona* (1966), Fi1m 89, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/persona.md)
- *Winter Light* (1963), Fi1m 88, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/winter-light.md)
- *Through a Glass Darkly* (1961), Fi1m 82, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/through-a-glass-darkly.md)

## Complete filmography (137)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Kärlekens mirakel* (2003), Director of Photography
- *Light Keeps Me Company* (2000), Director of Photography
- *Curtain Call* (1998), Director of Photography
- *Celebrity* (1998), Director of Photography
- *Private Confessions* (1996), Director of Photography
- *Lumière & Company* (1995), as (segment "Liv Ullman") · Director of Photography
- *Kristin Lavransdatter* (1995), Director of Photography
- *Something to Talk About* (1995), Director of Photography
- *Mixed Nuts* (1994), Director of Photography
- *With Honors* (1994), Director of Photography
- *Only You* (1994), Director of Photography
- *What's Eating Gilbert Grape* (1993), Director of Photography
- *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993), Director of Photography — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/sleepless-in-seattle.md)
- *Chaplin* (1992), Director of Photography
- *The Ox* (1991), as Shop Owner (voice) (uncredited) · Director, Director of Photography, Writer
- *Buster's Bedroom* (1991), Director of Photography
- *Crimes and Misdemeanors* (1989), Director of Photography — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/crimes-and-misdemeanors.md)
- *New York Stories* (1989), Director of Photography
- *Another Woman* (1988), Director of Photography
- *Katinka* (1988), Director of Photography
- *The Unbearable Lightness of Being* (1988), Director of Photography — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-unbearable-lightness-of-being.md)
- *The Sacrifice* (1986), Director of Photography
- *Nobody's Child* (1986), Director of Photography
- *Dream Lover* (1986), Director of Photography
- *Agnes of God* (1985), Director of Photography
- *Fanny and Alexander* (1984), series, Director of Photography
- *After the Rehearsal* (1984), Director of Photography
- *Swann in Love* (1984), Director of Photography
- *Star 80* (1983), Director of Photography
- *The Tragedy of Carmen* (1983), Director of Photography
- *Fanny and Alexander* (1982), Director of Photography — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/fanny-and-alexander.md)
- *Cannery Row* (1982), Director of Photography
- *The Postman Always Rings Twice* (1981), Director of Photography
- *From the Life of the Marionettes* (1980), Director of Photography
- *Willie & Phil* (1980), Director of Photography
- *Marmalade Revolution* (1980), Director of Photography, Producer
- *Starting Over* (1979), Director of Photography
- *Hurricane* (1979), Director of Photography
- *King of the Gypsies* (1978), Director of Photography
- *Autumn Sonata* (1978), Director of Photography
- *Pretty Baby* (1978), Director of Photography
- *One on One* (1978), Director, Director of Photography
- *The Serpent's Egg* (1977), Director of Photography
- *The Dance of the Damned Women* (1976), Director of Photography
- *The Tenant* (1976), Director of Photography
- *Face to Face* (1976), series, Director of Photography
- *Face to Face* (1976), Director of Photography
- *The Magic Flute* (1975), as Man in Audience (uncredited) · Director of Photography
- *Black Moon* (1975), Director of Photography
- *Monismanien 1995* (1975), Director of Photography
- *Georginas Gründe* (1975), Director of Photography
- *Ransom* (1974), Director of Photography
- *Scenes from a Marriage* (1974), Director of Photography — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/scenes-from-a-marriage-1974.md)
- *The Dove* (1974), Director of Photography
- *The Vocation* (1974), Director, Writer, Director of Photography
- *NOVA* (1974), series, Director of Photography
- *Scenes from a Marriage* (1973), series, Director of Photography
- *Cries and Whispers* (1972), Director of Photography — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/cries-and-whispers.md)
- *A Free Woman* (1972), Director of Photography
- *Siddhartha* (1972), Director of Photography
- *Lockfågeln* (1971), Director of Photography
- *The Touch* (1971), Director of Photography
- *The Last Run* (1971), Director of Photography
- *Karpfs Karriere* (1971), Director of Photography
- *One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich* (1970), Director of Photography
- *First Love* (1970), Director of Photography
- *Fårö Document* (1970), Director of Photography
- *The Passion of Anna* (1969), Director of Photography
- *The Rite* (1969), Director of Photography
- *An-Magritt* (1969), Director of Photography
- *Shame* (1968), Director of Photography
- *Hour of the Wolf* (1968), Director of Photography — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/hour-of-the-wolf.md)
- *Bränt barn* (1967), Director of Photography
- *Roseanna* (1967), Director of Photography
- *Persona* (1966), Director of Photography — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/persona.md)
- *Lianbron* (1965), Director
- *Loving Couples* (1964), Director of Photography
- *To Love* (1964), Director of Photography
- *The Dress* (1964), Director of Photography
- *All These Women* (1964), Director of Photography
- *Prins hatt under jorden* (1963), Director of Photography
- *The Silence* (1963), Director of Photography
- *Winter Light* (1963), Director of Photography — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/winter-light.md)
- *Snow White and the Seven Jugglers* (1962), Director of Photography
- *Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates* (1962), Director of Photography
- *Lita på mej, älskling!* (1961), Director of Photography
- *Murder Party* (1961), Director of Photography
- *Through a Glass Darkly* (1961), Director of Photography — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/through-a-glass-darkly.md)
- *The Marriage of Mr. Mississippi* (1961), Director of Photography
- *A Matter of Morals* (1961), Director of Photography
- *Africa and Schweitzer* (1961), Director of Photography
- *The Judge* (1960), Director of Photography
- *Lampenfieber* (1960), Director of Photography
- *The Virgin Spring* (1960), Director of Photography
- *Får jag låna din fru?* (1959), Director of Photography
- *Der Engel, der seine Harfe versetzte* (1959), Director of Photography
- *Laila* (1958), Director of Photography
- *The Lady in Black* (1958), Director of Photography
- *A Girl of Solbakken* (1957), Director of Photography
- *Guest at One's Own Home* (1957), Director of Photography
- *A Dreamer's Journey* (1957), Director of Photography
- *Den tappre soldaten Jönsson* (1956), Director of Photography
- *Girl in Tails* (1956), Director of Photography
- *Gorilla* (1956), Director of Photography, Director
- *Children of the Night* (1956), Director of Photography
- *Laughing in the Sunshine* (1956), Director of Photography
- *A Short Film About a Dachshund* (1956), Writer, Director
- *Den underbara lögnen* (1955), Director of Photography
- *Sista ringen* (1955), Director of Photography
- *Darling of Mine* (1955), Director of Photography
- *Salka Valka* (1954), Director of Photography
- *Karin Månsdotter* (1954), Director of Photography
- *Storm over Tjurö* (1954), Director of Photography
- *Sawdust and Tinsel* (1953), Director of Photography
- *The Road to Klockrike* (1953), Director of Photography
- *Barabbas* (1953), Director of Photography
- *Under Södra korset* (1952), Director, Writer, Producer, Director of Photography
- *När syrenerna blomma* (1952), Director of Photography
- *Reverence for Life* (1952), Writer, Director, Director of Photography
- *Rågens rike* (1950), Director of Photography
- *Loffe blir polis* (1950), Director of Photography
- *The Land Below the Equator* (1950), Director, Director of Photography
- *Lång-Lasse i Delsbo* (1949), Director of Photography
- *Sjösalavår* (1949), Director of Photography
- *Maj på Malö* (1947), Director of Photography
- *A City with Tradition: A Film about Lund* (1947), Director of Photography
- *Lazy Lena* (1947), Director of Photography
- *Saltstänk och krutgubbar* (1946), Director of Photography
- *13 Chairs* (1945), Director of Photography
- *Gomorron Bill!* (1945), Director of Photography
- *The Children* (1945), Director of Photography
- *I mörkaste Småland* (1943), Director of Photography
- *A Stockholm Silhouette* (1943), Director of Photography
- *The Key to the Baltic Sea* (1943), Director of Photography
- *General von Döbeln* (1942), Camera Technician
- *En fattig miljonär* (1941), "B" Camera Operator
- *En kvinna ombord* (1941), Still Photographer

## Gallery

- ![Sven Nykvist](https://film.one/media/person/83214/gallery-6c627d9eade4.jpg) Sven Nykvist — AnonymousUnknown author / Original uploader was Camptown at English Wikipedia (photographer unknown), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Ingmar_Bergman_%26_Sven_Nykvist.jpg/1280px-Ingmar_Bergman_%26_Sven_Nykvist.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photograph of the Swedish cinematographer Sven Nykvist, film director Ingmar Bergman and actress Liv Ullman on the set of the TV series production Scener ur ett (1972)](https://film.one/media/person/83214/gallery-0433f037f073.jpg) Photograph of the Swedish cinematographer Sven Nykvist, film director Ingmar Bergman and actress Liv Ullman on the set of the TV series production Scener ur ett (1972) — AnonymousUnknown author / Pressens Bild, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Nykvist-Bergman-Ullman-on-set-1972.jpg/1280px-Nykvist-Bergman-Ullman-on-set-1972.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 2 won, 1 nominated

- 1989: Best Cinematography (nominated), for *The Unbearable Lightness of Being*
- 1984: Best Cinematography (won), for *Fanny and Alexander*
- 1974: Best Cinematography (won), for *Cries and Whispers*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 1984: Best Cinematography (won), for *Fanny and Alexander*

### Other awards — 2 won

- The KTH Great Prize 2003: The KTH Great Prize (won)
- César Award for Best Cinematography 1976: César Award for Best Cinematography (won), for *Black Moon*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sven-nykvist