Rating: 
Summary: The summation of a major cinematic (and cultural) career.
Review: 'Fanny and Alexander' is what a crowning work should be - it is a prism through which all Bergman's work is refracted; the great unifying work to which his films were leading: it is impossible to look now at older Bergmans without seeing intimations of 'Fanny'. It is a tribute to the theatre, dreams, labyrinths, childhood family reunions, costume dramas, old mansions, bric-a-brac, toys; a hymn to Scandanvian cinema, literature and art; a rethinking of 'Wild Strawberries'. Many Bergman films dramatise the torment of the artist, his struggles with himself, his art, his family, his society, his (if there is such a thing) God. 'Fanny' is a portrait of the artist as a young boy, as he struggles with himself, his art, his family, his society, his (if there is such a thing), God. Even Death. We characteristically see Alexander as a putative artist - fibbing, dreaming, playing with his magic lantern, mirrors and miniature theatre - in this way, the unavoidable pains of life can be transcended and subverted, but never defeated, by the labyrinth of Art. Every type of Bergman film is here - sexual comedy, sumptuous period drama, social melodrama, metaphysical allegory, passion of the artist, marital conflict, dream narrative etc. Narrative registers become fluid in an attempt to defeat the rigid, violent dogma of the Bishop. 'Fanny and Alexander' is dense, rich and inexhaustible.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite films
Review: Although nothing can compare to the sense of discovery and utter shock that went with my first viewing of "Fanny and Alexander," this is a perennial pleasure for me; one of the best films I've ever seen. Just one thing...how about a DVD release? If any Bergman films deserved the DVD treatment, it's this one.
Rating:
Summary: This is a stew, not a hot dog.
Review: As is clear from the reviews, this movie isn't for everyone. Much more like reading a novel or seeing a play, the pleasure of the thing is in the dedication of the viewer to the story. That it is on video (vs. a theater screen) probably doesn't help and I think I too might have fallen asleep on the couch if my first viewing had been on a 19" window. However, if you are patient and are willing to listen to the story, it may just be the best movie telling of a story ever. If you are reader of great novels you will love this, if you enjoy the lushness and humanity of Shakespeare, you will love this. If you find pleasure in the desolation of most Northern and Eastern European art...you'll love this. I'll stop.
Rating:
Summary: The absolute masterpiece
Review: Bergman marked my film-watching career with this outstanding film .... He reveals the hypocricy of the upper social classes by presenting it through the child's innocent eyes . He makes a sharp comment on the "religious" ones by showing how they treat their children. He condemns the conservatism of the society by telling us how it is leading two children into a tragic situation . All that given with lyricism and cynicism , poetry and motion , emptyness and emotion , love and hate. Excelent photography, magnificent performances , a sadistic plot which wont let you take your eyes of the screen . Film direction by a true artist, one of the greatest. The art of filmmaking, on your screen.
Rating:
Summary: Optimistic
Review: Bergman wrote in The Magic Lantern that this was his dispensation--he allowed himself one movie to express all the optimism that he had suppressed in his earlier works. The result, from the very first frames of the movie, is a richly-textured, lavishly-colored, extraordinarily long (it was 8+ hours in the original) story of suffering and salvation. In all of his movies, women have been the source of hope and redemption, but they are especially so in this one. As in the rest of the Bergman oeuvre, there is no God to save the characters, but here, he is replaced by the bonds of familial affection. The uncle's toast at the end of the movie is a beautiful and optimistic summary of Bergman's philosophy. He put everything into this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Fanny and Alexander - Too Long.
Review: Fanny and Alexander should be rated "TL" for too long! It seemed to just drag along, with more emphasis placed on costumes than a decent story line. The plots involving supernatural stuff could also have been done without.
Rating:
Summary: The grand storyteller's epic final Masterpiece....
Review: Fanny and Alexander will transport you through time to the stark contrasts of early twentieth century Sweden. The story of a young boy and his sister living amongst a wealthy, extended theatrical family. Only Bergman could delight us with his clever wit and dialogue mixed with tragedy and triumph. The film explores the never ending moral battle of good versus evil with rich alagorical touches. The sheer complexity and detail this film exudes make all other movies seem like poorly produced toothpaste commercials. Only the great master and his magic lantern can spin a story that can't help but involve even the most cynical filmgoers. Great photography, world class actors and a script worthy of the ages make this film a must see. Don't miss the last full glimpse of Ingmar Bergman's dark and magnificent genius.
Rating:
Summary: It's out on DVD in Europe!
Review: God bless region-free DVD players. Tired of waiting for American media corporations to get with the program? Go to amazon.co.uk (or amazon.de, they have it too) and you can order "Fanny och Alexander" on DVD. Big bonus: it's the complete five hour version!!! Be forwarned though, it will not be compatible with a Region-1 player. Bergman's swan song is a masterpiece, and is probably my favourite film of all time. Americans deserve to have a chance at getting it on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: True 20th Century Art!
Review: Having very little basis for comparison (since my only prior exposure to Bergman has been The Seventh Seal), I don't feel qualified to judge this film against a "Bergman standard," but I do, however, doubt that he has directed another movie as perfect as Fanny and Alexander (F&A). It is more than worthy of the 4 Oscars, Golden Globe, Guldbagge and BAFTA awards it has received. Classic movies that are great on the whole may suffer from bad acting, directing, or even whole scenes that briefly go out of focus. That, however, is not the case with this film. It draws one in and keeps one alert and interested throughout. The directing and acting is surprisingly good. Mostly superb.
The story revolves around a wealthy Swedish family who run the local theater in Uppsala, and the severe upbringing of siblings F&A in the early 1900's (the story begins on Christmas, 1907).
Bergman seems to have a unique talent of combining drama with horror, fantasy, and comedy--this I also found to be the case with The Seventh Seal, but in F&A, this talent is more strongly presented; one minute you can find yourself laughing at humorous --sometimes obscene-- acts and remarks, and the next you may find yourself feeling choked up or horrified. The film is very strong, very real, and strongly recommended to anyone who wants to experience looking at film on a whole new level.
I cannot complete this review without giving affectionate appreciation to my friend Karen for recommending The Seventh Seal, thus inspiring me to watch this film--thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Alexander's nanny's fanny is a many splendored thing
Review: Hortense Briulle, notoriously scandalous French cinema verite star, simultaneously beguiles and repels the viewer with her stream-of-consciousness ad-libbing in several romance languages while often puncutating her commentary with gutteral howls, shrieks, grunts, moans, jabs and lurches toward the camera. Critics have called it "...reminiscent of early John Waters," who, interestingly, has a cameo role here as Professor Geronimo Huit, the elderly music teacher. A must see, but not on a full stomach.
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