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Summary: The truth about life...
Review: There is no god, there is only man.THE SEVENTH SEAL (1957) remains to this day one of the most profound and enigmatic explorations through man's eternal yearning for the meaning of life. Directed by acclaimed Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, THE SEVENTH SEAL tells the story of Antonius Block (Max von Sydow) a knight on his way back to Sweden after having spent 10 years fighting in the crusades. I should make clear that this is only the initial setting of the story, and that in fact the film is populated by a flurry of wonderful characters. Indeed it seems that throughout the film we meet all sorts of beings: Jöns (Gunnar Björnstrand) the just and valiant squire, Jof (Nils Poppe) and Mia (Bibi Andersson) who perfectly capture the innocence and purity of love, a dying young witch (Maud Hansson) who kept remainding me of Joan of Arc, a young girl who follows the squire (Gunnel Lindblom) and who barely says a word throughout the movie, but whose eyes are so alive and expressive; and perhaps the most daunting and chilling performance of all, Death itself (Bengt Ekerot). It is said that war can break a man and drive him into madness and solitude. In the SEVENTH SEAL Antonius seems to have lost all his faith and desperately seeks to find the answer to the one question that haunts him the most: does God exist? Death meets Antonious at the start, Antonious realizes that perhaps the end is near and in an effort to redeem himself he challenges Death to a game of chess. The end result is one the most fulfilling (and awkwardly bizarre) conclusions I have seen in a movie. The Criterion Collection DVD is simply by far the best option for anyone interested in the movie. With a wonderful and insightful commentary by film historian Peter Cowie and a well presented filmography on Bergman, the DVD edition can satisfy even the most rabid Bergman fan, or prove an excellent starting point for those who are not familiar with Bergman's work (like myself). The movie is presented in it's original 1.33:1 (full frame) aspect ratio in black and white, in Swedish (option English) language track and English subtitles. I highly recommend this film.
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Summary: This is a great movie
Review: As many have already written, this is truly a great movie. Not only does it have extraordinary depth and meaning (in my opinioun there's no use even to try to compare it to Hollywood) but it also one of the most beautifully presented movies I have ever saw. Thumbs up to Ingmar Bergman!
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Summary: Which Book?
Review: Just one thing. Amazon's review says this movie was inspired by the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Surely you mean Revelations, the last book of the Bible, which speaks of the seven seals.
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Summary: Possibly the most over-rated film ever.
Review: It's not a bad film, but it's not the profundity that many claim it to be. Subject matter does not automatically make a film deep. I'd rate it in slightly better than middle of the pack as far as Bergman's films go. It's not even the best Bergman film released in 1957.
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Summary: Bergman Has Given Us A Great Gift!
Review: Allow me to express my gratitude to Bergman. Any time I discover something wonderful I'll bug the hell out of everyone around me by carrying on about what I'm into at the moment. 'Seventh Seal' is one of those rare miracles that keeps me going. It has a fine balance of humor, mystery, terror and humanity. The one thing that draws me to 'Seventh Seal' is the questions it asks. I think we all look up to the sky at times and say, "There better be more than this. Otherwise, what's it all here for? Could someone show me some proof?" I have this film in my top five favorite list. The only way to see it is on DVD. You get a great presentation from Criterion.
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Summary: Top of the line!
Review: The plot is simple, the special effects are nil, and it's in black and white. This movie demonstrates the difference between art and artifice, and between essentiality and superficiality. The DVD is also 5-star quality, with excellent rendition, and wonderful commentary. The dubbed version is better than the subtitled one.
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Summary: What hath man wrought!
Review: The unaccountable brilliance of the human race, the subtle transient beauty which manifests itself in those brilliant works of art that eternally earn recognition as classic. That is what is evinced in Bergman's film; intelligent, amazing, powerful, moving. This is the story of man's eternal quest and man's oldest question, how to find meaning in mortality. If you have not seen this classic, you should at whatever cost or means take the necessary steps to procure a copy. No thinking person could be disappointed by this movie.
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Summary: Bergman's Philosophical Triumph
Review: Bergman's reknowned classic exceeded all of my expectations. What the viewer will find is a superbly crafted combination of dark humor, cynical philosophy, sorrow and happiness interposed amongst a desolate, but beautiful, scenery. A striking analysis of a time of great fear and superstition, this splendid film will most definitely appeal to the more discriminating and sensitive connoisseur. My highest recommendations...!
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Summary: Good Film...where are the others?
Review: The Seventh Seal is certainly one of Bergman's better films, if not his most popular. How soon will Svenska Filmindustri release the rest on DVD?
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Summary: Where is English dialogue?
Review: I don't really want to see this movie unless I can get the English dubbed version. How can I get a copy? I know copies exist.
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