The seventh seal [video recording]

by Ingmar Bergman (Director)

DVD, 1998

Publication

Imprint: [Irvington, N.Y.] : Criterion Collection, ©1998. Context: Based on the play: Trämålning = Painting on wood / by Ingmar Bergman. Originally released as a motion picture in 1957. Responsibility: A.B. Svensk Filmindustri ; director and scenarist, Ingmar Bergman. Credits: Photography, Gunnar Fischer ; editor, Lennart Wallén ; music, Erik Nordgren ; producer, Allan Ekelund. Performer(s): Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe, Max Von Sydow, Bibi Andersson, Inga Gill, Maud Hansson, Inga Landgré, Gunnel Lindblom, Bertil Anderberg, Anders Ek, Åke Fridell, Gunnar Olsson, Erik Strandmark. Language: In Swedish with English subtitles). Physical: 1 videodisc (96 min.) : sound, black & white ; 4 3/4 in. Features: Special features: optional audio commentary by film historian Peter Cowie; "Ingmar Bergman : an illustrated filmography" (written by Peter Cowie); original theatrical trailer (with English subtitles); restoration demonstration (3 min.); color bars. Program notes on container insert include an essay by Peter Cowie. DVD ; widescreen presentation ; stereo.

Call number

DVD / Front Desk

Barcode

DVD-0618

ISBN

0780020952 / 9780780020955

UPC

037429124529

Original publication date

1957-02-16

CSS Library Notes

Description: After a decade of battling in the Crusades, a knight challenges Death to a fateful game of chess. More than forty years after its initial release, Ingmar Bergman's stunning allegory of man's apocalyptic search for meaning remains a textbook on the art of filmmaking and an essential building block in any collection. Criterion is proud to present The Seventh Seal in a pristine new transfer.

FY2012 / jvsn

Physical description

4.75 inches

Description

In medieval Sweden a knight returns from war only to find a ravaged homeland. He meets up with a group of travelling players and eventually confronts the embodiment of death with whom he engages in a game of chess for his life. The knight and Death play as the cultural turmoil envelopes the people around them as they try, in different ways, to deal with the upheaval the plague has caused.

Language

Original language

Swedish

User reviews

LibraryThing member comfypants
A 14th-Century Nihilist/Crusader stalls Death with a game of chess.

Maybe worth seeing once due to its cultural contributions. The concept is good enough to carry the story most of the way, but it doesn't live up to its potential.

Concept: A
Story: C
Characters: B
Dialog: C
Pacing: C
Cinematography:
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B
Special effects/design: B
Acting: A
Music: B

Enjoyment: C plus

GPA: 2.8/4
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Rating

½ (31 ratings; 4.6)
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