The Virgin Spring, released in 1960, depicts the rape and murder of Karin, daughter of Töre and Märeta, by wild goatherds, as she seeks to take the Virgin's candles to Mass on the day of Christ's sacrifice. The film was based on a Swedish thirteenth-century ballad, "The Daughter of Töre in Vange", of which there were many previous versions in countries that spoke Romance languages. ¹ Birgitta Steene points out that the version used in this film had a particularly Swedish identity because only in Sweden was the theme of Christian redemption added to the story. ² Ingmar Bergman had been interested in the story since studying at university, and had even considered writing a ballet based on it, but finally worked with Ulla Isaksson's film script. ³