The Seventh Seal (1958)

Maybe, a parable. dark, bitter, fascinating. but, from childhood, when I saw it for the first time, to present, I discovered it as a sort of revelation of the roots of life. remembering the traits of Middle Age , the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch and Peter Bruegel, the themes of Bergman's cinema. and the right perspective about life, choices, expectations and the true answer to the near reality. for long time, the scene of chess play was the only who I considered significant. not exactly as a game between Death and Knight but as the build of the fundamental answer of old fears. a film who could be reduced at a long chain of symbols, cultural references, myths, legends. in fact, only a question. about life and faith and fear and happiness and decisions.

Ingmar Bergman is a director of unparalleled brilliance. Since his first script, 1944's Torment, Bergman has always delivered thoughtful and engaging films that delve deep into humanity. Be it relations between one another, our consciousness and subconsciousness, or any number of various facets of our existence, Bergman cuts to the very core of humanity and bring to light these many layers and elements in exceedingly artful ways. And one of the great tales told by the Swedish titan that demonstrates this well is his cherished and revered classic, The Seventh Seal.The Seventh Seal is a masterful piece of filmmaking that explores man's relationship with religion in medieval times, a time when the Church had a stranglehold on feudal Europe. The story of disillusioned knight Antonius Block, played by the impeccable Max von Sydow, returning from the grueling Crusades to lands ravaged by the Great Plague and taking on Death itself, portrayed by the chilling Bengt Ekerot, in a chess match for his life is one of the most simple yet complex tales captured on celluloid. Alongside this central battle is a colorful cast of side characters, including he blissful pair of actors Jof & Mia, played by Nils Poppe & Bibi Andersson respectively, and Block's squire Jöns, brought to life with delightfully dry wit by Gunnar Björnstrand, who flesh out the dark world of medieval Sweden and provide levity and even humor in the midst of the grim conflict and existential inquires made by Block.Bergman's script, adapted from a play of his titled Wood Painting, is somewhat on the nose in its mulling over of faith, death, and existence. But to a degree, what Bergman crafted was an adult fairy tale. The Seventh Seal is a story you could tell a child as it is simple in its narrative and its developments, but is rich in imagery and allusion, taking its title from and quoting at the outset from the eighth chapter of the Book of Revelations. Block's passionate search for knowledge and constant crisis of faith is engaging on a philosophical and personal level, aided by the impassioned performance provided by Sydow. The premise is a simple piece of high fantasy, but it delves into it themes openly and in depth. British author Melvyn Bragg put it best when he described the film as having an argumentative structure and being "told as a sermon might be delivered: an allegory." Adding to these inquiries and the sharp discussions between Block and Death in the midst of their match are characters such as Jof & Mia that bring a certain level of hope to the piece, as both are pleasant and optimistic for a fair portion of the film, with Jof being almost prophetic in a way, being able to see visions of both Mary and a young Jesus, and ominous premonitions of the effects of the Great Plague. And then there is the squire Jöns, an unadulterated cynic who, as described by American author and film historian Gerald Mast in his book A Short History of the Movies, "treats death as a bitter and hopeless joke." These supporting roles help to build the world and the themes of death and faith through their interactions with Block. All in all, the script, in spite of its bluntness, is exceptionally articulate and works wonders with its straightforward but fantastic premise.On the technical side, The Seventh Seal is a low-budget marvel, knowing that it was made on a pauper's budget of $150,000. Bergman's direction is inspired in its bleak tone that pairs well with the equally dark concepts presented in the script. He approaches the film rather intellectually, showing chilling images of an ill woman writhing in pain being looked over by a monk, and depicting Death as incredibly callous in a famous scene involving the felling of a tree. Every actor and actress is clearly invested. Sydow, Ekerot, Björnstrand, Andersson, throw a dart, and the name you hit is giving his or her all in the role. The chemistry between the characters is spectacular, with Sydow and Ekerot boasting one of the most impressive dichotomies in committed to celluloid. Gunnar Fischer's expressionistic cinematography was universally lauded upon release, and rightfully so. The gothic and pastoral medieval imagery is elegantly captured with impressive lighting schemes and excellent framing, with the introduction of Death and the "Danse Macabre" being the two iconic shots that bookend the film. P.A. Lundgren's production design and Manne Lindholm's costume design go hand in hand in creating the lived-in world of medieval Sweden, with big props going to Lindholm in draping Death with the iconic black cloak. Also of note is the inspired score by regular collaborator Erik Nordgren, whose liberal use of the Latin chant Dies Irae, general implementation of choral passages, and orchestral mannerisms reminiscent of celebrated American composer Bernard Herrmann enrich the film through heightening the grimness and further enveloping the audience in the atmosphere of the period.At the end of the day, The Seventh Seal is deservedly a classic. It is a film that blatantly ponders the nature of faith and death, but does so in an engaging and personal way. Through a combination of Bergman's well-crafted characters and each actor's pitch-perfect execution, you become invested in all facets of this world. You are there with Block in taking on Death, and you too want to know the answers, you want the knowledge he seeks, you too want "God to stretch out His hand." The production values are top notch, especially knowing that the budget afforded to Bergman was so small. But at the end of the day, it is a film that has to be seen to truly appreciate. So in closing, go and watch this film. If you consider yourself a fan of cinema, or are an aspiring filmmaker, simply take some time to watch this masterclass of medieval fantasy and world cinema.

The Seventh Seal is a masterpiece of storytelling with film making. It creates the setting perfectly, the realistic and believable medieval story full of common beliefs of its time. The whole aspect of death is a powerful theme. The characters are memorable and mostly likable. The ending was perfect for the film. Amazing performances from everyone involved. The film did bore me at times, but that didn't last long and was most likely because I had to read subtitles. Overall an amazing film, I will have to watch more Bergman films in the future. This deserves a 10/10 without a doubt.

Ingmar Bergman is one of the favorite directors of serious movie lovers. All his films have been discussed over years by the film students. Analyzing his films will open up a new world of imagination and cinematic freedom.The Seventh Seal, is an intellectual film. But, unlike other serious films, this movie is coated with slight humor. This provides more relaxation to the non-competitive audience. The story is about life and death. The movie makes fun of the humanity, religion etc. There are not of things to be thought in depth. Thought provoking films are hard to write about. You need to watch them over and over again, think about it and get the inner meanings and find a conclusion yourself.A highly recommend for serious film lovers. A Must watch.#KiduMovie