The Seventh Seal

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Han R Apr 21, 2019 The Seventh Seal is a riveting, expertly-filmed, beautifully-written, and wildly intelligent exploration of Catholic and apocalyptic anxiety. Its existential dread and its haunting questions of purpose and the presence of God still feel real and as relevant today. The misogyny demonstrated throughout the film, however does not age well, and is an unfortunate product of both the time of the film's release and the age it seeks to portray. One could argue that the misogyny is intended to show the savagery of men, their sinful nature, and that Bergman was calling out this cruel reality. See more

Harry S Mar 13, 2019 Even with the movies overtones of humor. It may just be the most deeply empowering movie ever made.

Ron S Feb 27, 2019 A classic, and a classic allegory.

Poe P Jan 12, 2019 one of the few movies that will still be watched in a hundred years.

Draco S Jan 10, 2019 A morbid contemplation on death and faith. The Seventh Seal (1957) is perhaps director Ingmar Bergman's most influential work. It is a slow burn, but pays off in its thoughtful meditations on the reality of God and the value of life. The pacing matches the feudal Swedish setting of the countryside scourged by The Black Plague. As dismal and hopeless as things seem, there is more to Bergman's nightmarish Sweden than appears on the surface. It may seem depressing and nihilistic, but it exudes with a charming contentment for the joys of living. Bergman's script is actually very funny with his existential ruminations offset with hilarious black humor. The more serious scenes with the conversations with Death are fascinating portraits of man's wish for a confirmation of God's existence. I think that The Seventh Seal offers a simple truth: that man can only be happy alongside their friends, family, and acquaintances. Rather than seeking paradise in Heaven, we should find solace and enjoyment in the revelries in life. In regards to Bergman's direction, The Seventh Seal is a masterclass in lighting dreary black and white rooms. Bergman illuminates the faces with a tender affection for their painful moments and pensive solitude. His eyes for wide shots of the Swedish countryside are as stunning and memorable as the dance with Death or the chess game on the beach with Death. I think Bergman particularly shined his directorial prowess in the confessional with the knight confessing his disbelief to Death. That entire sequence in the church pits the knight begging and feeling behind bars while the passive Death listens on to trick the knight in a genius stroke of cinematic intrigue and careful technique. Speaking of the knight, Max von Sydow delivers a moving and subtle performance as Antonius Block. His empathetic face for the women being burned alive or the unhappy wife of the joker proves Sydow's mastery of expressive facial acting. Sydow acts with a confidence and thoughtful care well beyond his years in The Seventh Seal. I was impressed with every scene that focuses on him. I especially loved the chess sequences and his calm playful attitude next to Death. Then Death himself, Bengt Ekerot, kills it as the grim reaper. His Death is pale white, but displays a colorful character of delightful measure. His watchful observations of the living as well as his grim forbearance all speak volumes while his character just stands there. His clever wordplay and mirthless banter with Sydow make the chess scenes all the more bitter and entertaining. I loved Ekerot all the more by the end of The Seventh Seal. I simply must mention the stunning Swedish actress Bibi Andersson as Mia. Her affectionate performance as the wife of the fool is very captivating. Her conversation with Sydow and the wild strawberries was particularly mesmerizing. You could feel how much sadness and hopefulness her character Mia contains. I should also like to give commendations to Nils Poppe as Jof. His foolish actor is a miserable jester of meager talent and you pity his simplistic wishes all the more for it. Poppe makes you feel for the fool, while laughing at his dismay and visions. I thought he played the part to perfection. Similarly, Gunnar Bjornstrand is excellent as the nihilistic squire Jons. His allegiance to Sydow's knight is interesting, but his dire interjections into the film are both funny and sorrowful. His critique of The Crusades is as astonishing as his performance protecting those around him. Bjornstrand is a fascinating actor to watch. Lastly, Erik Nordgren's score to The Seventh Seal is magnificent Gothic classical music that is frightening when it chimes in a few times. The silence sounds so scary and deadly on its own merits for the majority of The Seventh Seal, but the occasional blaring sounds of an orchestra do a great deal for unnerving the audience. The Seventh Seal sounds wonderful. I just really left The Seventh Seal respecting Ingmar Bergman's craftsmanship as a director. He certainly earned the title of auteur with his uniquely depressing and beautiful direction. I think you should enter The Seventh Seal ready to think and feel about life and death. It is an experience altogether unlike any other movie viewing I have undergone. I am still thinking about it now. See more

Finn S Dec 11, 2018 "The Seventh Seal" is powerful and beautifully shot, and it is not difficult to understand why it is considered a classic and why so many scenes were familiar to me even before watching it. Alas, I also I have to say that in present times loses much of its original power, and I personally found it a bit boring. In other words I did admire it, but I will not watching it again any time soon. See more

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The Seventh Seal

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