The Magician [Criterion Collection]

Director: Ingmar Bergman Ingmar Bergman

Overview

Much better known in the U.S. as The Magician, this award-winning, surreal, evocative drama stars Max von Sydow as the title character and features several of Sweden's top performers. Set in the 1840s in Stockholm, the mystery and enigma of life and death itself are embodied in Vogler, the magician who runs "Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater." When his traveling show arrives in town, the police commissioner, a doctor, and a civil servant are intent on putting his supernatural powers to the test. As the pendulum swings between fearful images and moments of comic relief, the mysterious Mr. Vogler defies analysis. In 1959, Ansiktet was given the "Best Film" prize at the British Academy Awards, the "Best Foreign Film" prize at the New York Film Critics Awards, and two prizes at the Venice Film Festival.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/12/2010
UPC:	0715515063814
Original Release:	1958
Source:	Criterion Collection
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:41:00
Sales rank:	26,772

Special Features

New Visual Essay by Bergman Scholar Peter Cowie; ; Brief 1967 Video Interview with Director Ingmar Bergman about the Film; Rare English-language Audio Interview with Bergman, Conducted by Filmmakers Olivier Assayas and Stig Björkman in 1990; ; Plus: A booklet featuring excerpts from a 1990 tribute to the film by Assayas, a new essay by critic Geoff Andrew, and an excerpt from Bergman's Autobiography Images: My Life in Film

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Max von Sydow	Albert Emanuel Vogler
Ingrid Thulin	Manda Vogler/Mr. Aman
Bibi Andersson	Sara Lindqvist
Bengt Ekerot	Spegel
Gertrud Fridh	Ottilia
Lars Ekborg	Simson
Toivo Pawlo	Starbeck
Erland Josephson	Egerman
Sif Ruud	Sofia
Oscar Ljung	Antonsson
Brigitta Pettersson	Sonna,Sanna
Naima Wifstrand	Grandmother
Gunnar Björnstrand	Dr. Vergerus
Åke Fridell	Tubal
Ulla Sjöblom	Henrietta Starbeck
Axel Düberg	Rustan, young manservant
Frithiof Bjärne	Border Officer
Tor Borong	Border Officer
Harry Schein	Customs officer
Erik Nordgren	Composer

Technical Credits

Ingmar Bergman

Ingmar Bergman	Director,Screenwriter
Allan Ekelund	Producer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Magician
1. Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater [6:12]
2. Johan Spegel [3:08]
3. Truths [2:52]
4. Arrival [4:05]
5. Introductions and Interrogations [4:51]
6. An Experiment [7:25]
7. Charms [6:32]
8. Love Potion [6:23]
9. Seduction in the Laundry [3:01]
10. Grandmother's Wisdom [4:11]
11. Preparation and Confessions [5:51]
12. Visitation [3:45]
13. The Inexplicable [5:03]
14. Husbands and Wives [5:08]
15. A Little Entertainment [3:24]
16. The Invisible Chain [3:32]
17. A Body and the Aftermath [6:38]
18. Confrontation in the Attic [10:25]
19. Explanations and Choices [4:49]
20. His Majesty Calls [4:00]
1. Color Bars [:00]

Menu

Disc #1 -- Magician
   Play The Movie
   Chapters
   Peter Cowie
      Play
   Ingmar Bergman
      Swedish Television Interview
      Assayas-Björkman Interview
   Subtitles
      Subtitles: On
      Subtitles: Off