Fanny and Alexander (The Theatrical Version) - Criterion Collection

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Summary: Bergman's most revealing film!
Review: 'Fanny and Alexander' is a film that really reveals a lot about its creator, Ingmar Bergman. Bergman's personality can be seen in a number of characters in the film - and the film itself is kind of a summary of his existance to that point (if I may be bold in my interpretation). One thing that comes out in all of his films is his own struggle with religon. On the one hand he is drawn to it and fascinated by it - on the other hand it defies his way of life and disagrees with his science. This struggle is clearly shown in the character of the Bishop - and to our joy it is a struggle he overcomes. Other sides of the Bergman personality are most clearly shown in the sexual encounters that take place in the film. Bergman has always chosen cinema to express his guilt, it seems, in his own sexual affairs - which there were a great number sometimes with the actresses he worked with. Many other things can be said about the film and Bergman - the constant references to the stage, for example - but I will not give away anything else. This film is Bergman - if you like Bergman - you will like the film.

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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.

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Summary: Order the 5-disc release instead.
Review: As a longtime student of Bergman's works, my advice is to avoid this release and instead get the 5-disc Criterion Collection release that includes the 5+ hour cut that best represents what Bergman wanted to show us with this film.
In an interview published in Sweden, Bergman called the 3 hour cut "terrible" and implored viewers to forget about it and watch the full cut instead. With the 5-disc set, you have the choice to watch either version. With this 2-disc release, you're stuck with the one Bergman has long considered a disaster.
In his book Images, he explains that cutting the film down to a 3 hour cut was the only way it could be released but that to do so was "devastating to the film." "I now had to cut into the vital parts of the film" he wrote, "I knew that with each cut I reduced the quality of my work."
In the above-mentioned interview, Bergman said that instead of watching the "terrible" 3 hour version, viewers should experience the the "true Fanny and Alexander," which is more than 5 hours long and should be viewed in a single day, with a lunch or dinner break. Indeed, it has been shown that way, at the Venice Film Festival and elsewhere.
Criterion meant well when they decided to release this cheaper 2-disc release. But it was a terrible error in judgment for them to market a release for the first time in the company's history that does not include the director's preferred cut.
Go for the 5-disc release, which is going to be outstanding. It's a great value for all that's included.

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Summary: Elaborting a simple dicotomy.
Review: Claude Levi-Strauss wrote that the human mind naturally divides complex realities into simple binary oppositions. Great works of art sometimes start from there and explore, elaborate, make simple dichotomies more explict, more meaningful. "One Hundred Years of Solitute" saw in generation after generation a split and conflict between those who chained to the tree of life go with the flow and those who instead knock heads against the hard trunk of the world ...

"Fanny and Alexander" compares, contrasts the "theatrical" approach to life -- pluralistic, tolerant, unabashed, irreverent often, wide-open, sometimes crazily playful, creative, etc. -- to that of "The Church" -- monomonaical, dogmatic, guilt and spite-ridden, closed, intolerant, tyrannical, masochistic, etc. ...

It need not be a conflict between art and religion: compare for example Zefferelli's "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" to Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and you'll see the same contrast ...

"Fanny and Alexander" presents the dichotomy through two extended families and the two children who have to navigate between ...

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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.

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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.

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Summary: Criterion review
Review: I *LOVE* this film.
I just *HATE* Criterion refuses to include spanish subtitles in their products. Why deny spanish-speaking people the option of viewing the best films of history in the best format available?

Hey, Criterion people... could you change your mind?

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Summary: A Universe of Humanity
Review: I agree ... that Fanny and Alexander is not just a great film, but that it is a career retrospective of Bergman's art encompassing a universe of humanity and the artist's concerns and feelings for all of life.
As such, it is imperative that the US DVD release should not only come soon, but that it should be the complete five hour version released in Europe, but never seen here in the US.
With the Oscar winning art direction, costumes and cinematography, this is Bergman's most luxuriant film that sucks you in with a sweep that never drags. In repeated viewings in theaters and on VHS, I never had a moment of distraction, but always wanted more. Now we can have it, in one of the greatest films of all time.

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Summary: From a Swedish point of view
Review: I have seen Fanny and Alexander (the three hour version) several times (and can't wait to see the five hour version).
What the film conveys, is a very realistic portrait of life in Sweden in grandmother's time.
The Christmas Eve celebration (part of background to the story) it authentic and wonderful, the way it would have been celebrated in a wealthy family's large apartment in Stockholm on Christmas Eve. Only a master could present it the way Ingmar Bergman has.
These Christmas traditions still prevail in Sweden on a lesser scale - candles everywhere, an abundance of special Chistmas dishes on the "smörgåsbord" buffet, the decorating, the dancing - and getting a little tipsy with all the aquavit. My eyes filled with tears, as I thought about long ago Christmases in Sweden.
The Christmas celebration is part of a sweeping, magnificent, and dramatic movie.
An Ingmar Bergman Masterpiece not to be missed.




Rating:
Summary: An Expanded Masterpiece
Review: I was advised by a friend that the five-hour televised version of this masterpiece was available on DVD. I immediately got a copy of this wonderful set and watched the 'Prelude' and 'Act I' of this series. This expanded version (happily available in the US as part of the Criterion film series), sheds more light and detail on the themes that Bergman showed in his movie version. As the well-crafted commentary booklet indicates, Bergman was not thrilled about sacrificing those details. In Act I, I loved Oskar's colorful story of an old chair in the nursery and the more detailed depictions of the other characters of this act. I am looking forward to seeing the subsequent acts, including those scenes at the stark and bare Bishop's home and Alexander's attempts to excape from those realities.

This box set does contain the original movie as well as a disk that has various commentaries on the film and TV series. For those who have not seen Fanny and Alexander (The film was shown over twenty years ago and the TV series was not yet available in the US), this set is a must; the film, alhough good, does not give Bergman's story full justice as the TV series does. Bravo to Criterion for its foresight in getting this set out to a new generation of film lovers. The transfer to DVD is superb.