The Seventh Seal

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Overview

The sight of Death playing chess with a weary knight on a deserted beach is one of the most indelible images to emerge from the world cinema in the 1950s, and this scene from Ingmar Bergman's Det Sjunde Inseglet (aka The Seventh Seal) is still the moment most closely associated with the great Swedish filmmaker. The fact that Death was a walking, talking character in the film also cemented Bergman's reputation as cinema's leading Gloomy Gus, but seen five decades after its initial release, The Seventh Seal reveals a tremendous compassion and flashes of humor as it contemplates the eternal balance between belief and doubt. The Seventh Seal is the sort of classic more often talked about that actually seen these days, but the Criterion Collection are doing their best to change that with new and definitive DVD release. The Seventh Seal has been transferred to disc in its original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and the striking range of grey tones in Gunnar Fischer's cinematography is preserved with remarkable accuracy; this is one of Bergman's most visually beautiful works, and it has never looked better in a home video release than it does here. The audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Mono, and the fidelity is superb, making this movie almost as impressive to hear as to see. The dialogue is presented in the original Swedish as well as in an alternate dubbed English soundtrack; optional English subtitles are also on board. A full compliment of relevant bonus materials have been included, among them a commentary track by film scholar Peter Cowie and an illustrated postscript on the film and its impact; an introduction featuring Ingmar Bergman that was created for a Swedish television broadcast of the film in 2003; a tribute to Bergman from noted fan Woody Allen that was produced for Turner Classic Movies in 1989 and an audio recording of an interview with leading man and frequent Bergman collaborator Max von Sydow. A second disc includes Marie Nyrerod's acclaimed documentary Bergman Island, which features extensive interviews with the filmmaker as he discusses his life and work, as well as Bergman 101, an essay by Peter Cowie on the essentials of the great director's work illustrated with still and clips from his films. (Bergman's Island has also been released as a stand-alone disc by Criterion.) And the accompanying booklet features an appreciation of The Seventh Seal by Gary Giddins as well as some superb photos from the picture. Short of the Blu-Ray edition of The Seventh Seal released simultaneously by Criterion, there is no better way to see this film in your home theater, and the quality and care that's gone into this release is to be commended by anyone who loves classic cinema.

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Special Features

Introduction by Ingmar Bergman, Recorded in 2003; ; Audio Commentary by Bergman expert Peter Cowie, with a New Afterword; Archival Audio Interview with Max von Sydow; A 1989 Tribute to Bergman by Filmmaker Woody Allen; Theatrical Trailer; Optional English-Dubbed soundtrack

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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Tom Wiener

For filmgoers of a certain age baby boomers who attended college between the late '50s and late '60s, The Seventh Seal was their first exposure to the films of Ingmar Bergman. And indeed, the film has been referenced by other directors, from Woody Allen to Barry Levinson, as well as becoming the subject of a popular parody short, Dove. Although other filmmakers, such as Jean Cocteau in Orpheus, had dealt with similar concerns, Bergman made them more accessible. The Seventh Seal is a skillful blend of realistic drama the disillusioned knight returning from the Crusades in a land wracked by plague and madness and the allegorical most famously, the chess game and further encounters with a black-robed figure representing Death. The historical setting provides a convenient vehicle for Bergman to deal with issues of death and spirituality that are ultimately timeless. The film also gave major exposure to actors Max von Sydow and Bibi Andersson, who both had small roles in Bergman's Wild Strawberries.

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Product Details

Release Date: 6/16/2009
UPC: 715515044516
Original Release: 1957

Rating:

Source: Criterion
Region Code: 1
Presentation: Special Edition / B&W / Pan & Scan
Language: Swedish
Time: 1:37:00
Format: DVD
Sales rank: 8,568

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Max von Sydow	The Knight, Antonius Block
Gunnar Björnstrand	Jons
Bengt Ekerot	Death
Nils Poppe	Jof
Bibi Andersson	Mia
Åke Fridell	Blacksmith Plog
Inga Gill	Lisa
Inga Landgre	Block's Wife
Bertil Anderberg	Raval
Benkt-Ake Benktsson	The landlord
Tor Borong	Farmer at inn
Gudrun Brost	Woman at inn
Anders Ek	The Monk
Maud Hansson	The Witch, Tyan
Ulf Johansson	Knight leader
Lars Lind	Young Monk
Gunnel Lindblom	The Girl
Gunnar Olsson	Church Painter
Erik Strandmark	Jonas Skat

Technical Credits

Ingmar Bergman	Director, Screenwriter
Evald Andersson	Special Effects
Sixten Ehrling	Musical Direction/Supervision
Allan Ekeland	Producer
Allan Ekelund	Producer
Gunnar Fischer	Cinematographer
Else Fischer	Choreography
Manne Lindholm	Costumes/Costume Designer
P.A. Lundgren	Production Designer, Set Decoration/Design
Carl M. Lundh	Makeup
Nila Nittle	Makeup
Erik Nordgren	Score Composer
Lennart Wallen	Editor

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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Seventh Seal: The Film
1. Logos/Opening Credits [1:31]
2. On the Beach [7:02]
3. Jof's Vision [7:54]
4. At The Church [11:07]
5. The Deserted Village [5:01]
6. The Seduction Of Skat [4:05]
7. The Procession Of Flagellants [6:28]
8. Torture At the Tavern [5:45]
9. Strawberries and Milk at Dusk [9:48]
10. 'Love Is the Blackfest of All Plagues" [3:46]
11. "The Deadest Actor I've Ever Seen" [7:31]
12. The Burning of the Witch [8:50]
13. "Mate at the Next Move" [7:21]
14. The Last Supper [7:59]
15. The Dance of Death [3:18]
1. Color Bars [:00]
1. Famous Names of Swedish Cinema [1:31]
2. Establishing The Middle Ages [7:02]
3. The Film's Holy Family [7:54]
4. Imaginative Lighting, Witty Repartee [11:07]
5. Gloom and Doom [5:01]
6. The Gallery of Personalities [4:05]
7. Bergman's Religious Upbringing [6:28]
8. The Vilification Of Actors [5:45]
9. Communion Interlude [9:48]
10. The Most Appealing Character [3:46]
11. Bergman And Comedy [7:31]
12. Bergman "The Sorcerer" [8:50]
13. Revenge on the Church [7:21]
14. The $150,000 Budget [7:59]
15. The Procession's Missing Characters [3:18]
1. Color Bars [:00]
Disc #2 -- Seventh Seal
1. The Silence [5:40]
2. Childhood [14:30]
3. The Seventh Seal [11:20]
4. Strawberries/Through A Glass Darkly [8:00]
5. Faro/Persona [7:01]
6. Family/Saraband [3:46]
7. Scenes From a Marriage [5:35]
8. Creativity [3:45]
9. The Theater And Munichi [5:59]
10. Music [6:38]
11. Death And Demons [11:03]

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Disc #1 -- Seventh Seal: The Film
Ingmar Bergman Introduction
   Play
   Movie
Play The Movie
Chapters
Commentary
   Commentary: Off/On
   Index
Supplements
   Afterword
      Play
   Max Von Sydow Audio Interview
      Play
   Woody Allen On Bergman
      Play
   Trailer
Audio Options
   Original Swedish Soundtrack
   Commentary
   English Dub Track
Subtitles
   Subtitles: On
   Subtitles: Off
Disc #2 -- Seventh Seal
Bergman Island
   Play
   Index
Bergman 101
   Play
Subtitles
   Subtitles: On
   Subtitles: Off

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Overview

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More About This Product

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All Movie Guide - Tom Wiener

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The Seventh Seal

Overview

Pick Up In Store

All Available Formats & Editions

Customers Who Bought This Also Bought

More About This Product

Overview

Special Features

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Tom Wiener

Product Details

Related Categories

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Technical Credits

Scene Index

Menu

Customer Reviews

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4 Star

3 Star

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1 Star

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Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

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One of the best films made

Best Beach Scene with clothes on

Great Blu Ray of a great film.

Beautiful film transfer.