Rating: 
Summary: Perfect
Review: I can't say enough good things about this 'Criterion' DVD of 'The Seventh Seal', so I'll keep my comments short. Firstly, the movie itself is a dark and brooding masterful view of humanity at it's worst and most tragic moments. Yet at the same time it does not overlook the beauty of life. I will say nothing more on this point, except WATCH IT. Secondly, the restoration done on the image by 'Criterion' is SUPERB. They have salvaged what was a terribly aged masterpiece, and literally given it new life.
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Summary: Compelling Meditation On Faith And Mortality
Review: A compelling contemplation of death and the nature of Man's existence, Ingmar Bergman's "The Seventh Seal" is uncompromising, riveting drama that is every bit as striking conceptually as it is philosophically. In the Fourteenth Century a knight, Antonius Block (Max von Sydow), and his squire, Jons (Gunnar Bjornstrand), have returned after ten years away at the Crusades to their native Sweden, and are beginning their journey home. For Block, it is a pensive time; he is troubled by what he perceives as God's silence, and thirsts for knowledge and some meaning to his life, as well as a resolution of faith, which has deserted him. Jons, meanwhile, is a study in jaded indifference, who believes in nothing beyond the present and whatever his senses and current circumstances dictate. Shortly after their arrival on the coast of Sweden, Death (Bengt Ekerot) comes for Block. But Block strikes a bargain with him, challenging him to a game of chess, to be played as they continue on with their journey. As long as Block prevails, they will go on; if he wins, he will be released. And though Block knows what the outcome must inevitably be, he welcomes Death's acceptance of his challenge, for the game affords him perhaps enough time to fulfill his quest, while adding purpose to what promises to be an arduous trek through a land being ravaged by the Black Plague. Von Sydow brings a commanding presence to the screen as Block, his very countenance bespeaking strength and poise. His subtle, stoic approach to this enigmatic character is captivating, and lends a depth and dignity that makes Block truly memorable. By contrast, Jons' strength seems born of his indifference; he takes things as they come, and is governed by a somewhat fatalistic philosophy. Bjornstrand, a gifted, eloquent actor (and veteran of numerous Bergman films), invests an earthy, gritty quality to Jons that plays effectively opposite von Sydow's more ethereal portrayal of Block. It is significant that in the closing scene the final speech, in the presence of Death, is accorded to Jons; for it elevates the character to a station equal to, if not surpassing, that of the protagonist, Block. The supporting cast includes Nils Poppe (Jof), Bibi Andersson (Mia), Inga Gill (Lisa), Gunnel Lindblom (Girl), Anders Ek (The Monk), Ake Fridell (Plog) and Erik Strandmark (Skat). Written and directed by Bergman, "The Seventh Seal" is a thought provoking, earnest meditation on faith and mortality that is filled with stunning metaphoric and visual images that will forever be indelibly inscribed in your memory. One scene in particular, in which the players link hands and, silhouetted against a twilight sky are led by Death in a dance across the crest of a distant hill, is breathtaking in it's simplicity. It stands (as does this entire film) as an example of why Ingmar Bergman is one of the greatest directors in the history of the cinema.
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Summary: One of the best films ever made.
Review: This movie is a masterpiece of cinematography. While watching this movie hit the pause button at any time and you will have a beautifully composed still photograph. I can't help but think that each frame of this movie is a well thought out still photo put together to creae a brilliant movie. A must have for any serious movie collector.
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Summary: A Life-Changing Film
Review: I first saw The Seventh Seal in a class I was taking called Tragedy and the Absurd. I wasn't sure what the connection was between the film and the other material we were studying, but nonetheless, I walked out of the projection room a different person than when I walked in. The acting (especially by Max Von Sydow and Nils Poppe), cinematography, and the overall feel of the film grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. It started my ongoing love affair with the films of Ingmar Bergman. I still seek out any film with his name attached to it. Yes, Bergman has done some films that don't quite rank with The Seventh Seal. On the other hand, he has done some that rank very near it. To me, however, none of that really matters. If a filmmaker can make one truly great film -- one that leaves an indelible spiritual mark on its viewer -- he has somehow made some sense of a chaotic world. How? Perhaps by just addressing the chaos and mystery of living. Not resolving the chaos and mystery, necessarily, but addressing it, and addressing it beautifully and poignantly. If Ingmar Bergman never made another film in his life, The Seventh Seal alone would justify his place in film history. One of the very few films I would call perfect.
Rating:
Summary: A One of a Kind Experience
Review: Bergman's breakthrough film is one of my all time favorites. If you've never seen it before, do so. It's extraordinary viewing and Criterion DVD's are topnotch. A must have for any serious cinephile.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless
Review: Bergman manages to tame such heavy themes in a way that only a genius could. A real stand out in the already great , golden age of film making.
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Summary: Start Your Adventure Here
Review: If you are a serious fan of movies and have not seen this film, you cannot call yourself a serious fan. It's a great place to start any foreign movie collection. Max von Sydow and Gunnar Bjornstrand are equally wonderful as the noble knight and his cynical squire. What has been lost in all of the cliche that surrounds this movie is the tremendous performance of Bengt Ekerot as Death. It seems some people have overlooked how witty and terrorfying Death is with Ekerot playing the part.
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Summary: fast made filmhistory made quality suffer?
Review: A great film, made by IB between other more moneymaking films ( they were made to finance this one).All though the movie is great the image quality is not that great. IB used B&W film and pushed it to make a harder more contrast expression. Not to succesfully, I think. The image quality is jumpy. The filmstrips appears not to been developed all in same way. Never the less; Great filmhistory but with poor picture quality.
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Summary: TRANSLATION ALERT!
Review: Earlier versions of this video included much truer translation of the Swedish dialogue. For some reason, for example, this translation chooses to change the names of Jof and Mia to "Joseph and Mary," imposing some oddball Christian connection that makes very little sense in the context of the film. Also, there are entire passages that don't get translated at all. Maybe the "improved English translation" on the DVD release restores the straighter interpretation of the script. In the meantime, if you want to see the more accurate translation in the subtitles, try auctions for the earlier release.
Rating:
Summary: Stark and yet endearing
Review: One of the grimmest and most oft-parodied of "serious" movies, but also one of the most rewarding and compelling. A knight-errant during the Black Plague years plays chess with Death himself with his life as the stakes. Film is rich in symbolism, of course, but even richer in basic human dramas that have the directness of a spare-set stage play. Younger audiences may not connect to it as readily, given that its oft-inflated reputation precedes it, but like "Psycho" (another movie which has almost become denatured through parody and reference), it still stands on its own very well. Bergman's "silence of God" theme comes through most magically in this movie; his most starkly realistic treatment would be in "Cries and Whispers".
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