Bengt Ekerot as Death plays a deadly game of chess with Max von Sydow, a returning Crusader in Ingmar Bergman's 1958 masterpiece. Watch the trailer: http://videodetective.com/TitleDetails.aspx?publishedid=00590573
Another Xmas Criterion DVD of superior quality with a restored print and informative extras, especially the audio commentary. For those who hate subtitles there's an optional English soundtrack that's acceptable. This movie's details makes you feel you're living in medieval Sweden as we meet a disillusioned Crusader and his faithful squire returning home to their country ravaged by the Black Plague that destroyed a third of the population. The trailer tells you the rest of the plot. Death personified follows them on their journey where they meet a family of traveling actors. The knight searches for the meaning of life & death while the others just want to survive during these difficult times including religious persection and burning supposed witches at the stake. Philosophical questions about faith abound but are presented in a dramatic way as that's consistent of Bergman's style. Ingmar, not Ingrid the actress and no relation although they did make one film together.
Like Mizoguchi, Bergman was a perfectionist surrounded by loyal cast & crews who worked with him all the time. When you displeased these men, they turned you away. There's a story on the commentary about how von Sydow who made several movies with Bergman declined a role in the early '70's and never again worked with him. Here's a short interview about his working methods: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehu72LK17z8
I've seen this one years ago and it's another film you won't forget because of its haunting imagery. Again it was better than I thought which was good at the time. A true classic in every sense of the word as each viewing offers more insight. For more info, check out this link and the customers' comments: http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Seal-Criterion-Collection/dp/6305174083/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1230827710&sr=1-1
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