The Seventh Seal
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The Seventh Seal
After hearing so much about Ingmar Bergman, I was really excited to see this. But I couldn't even stay awake through the whole thing. Maybe it's considered such a great film because it was ahead of its time? I'm really hoping that it's different than some of Bergman's later work.
#2
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In my opinion, it's still a gripping, powerful film. Not Bergman's best, but way up there. I would say most of Bergman's stuff is like this, but, in fact, this is more active than a lot of his work. Most of his films are about characters in emotional turmoil. The only film of his with more action would be The Magic Flute, I would say, but then, does that really count?
Thinking over it again, the film is really varied. There's the philosophical musings of the knight, the almost surreal sequence with the religious fanatics who whip themselves, the horror of watching someone burned alive for being a heretic, and it's all counterbalanced with the antics of the jesters. Maybe you should give it another view.
Thinking over it again, the film is really varied. There's the philosophical musings of the knight, the almost surreal sequence with the religious fanatics who whip themselves, the horror of watching someone burned alive for being a heretic, and it's all counterbalanced with the antics of the jesters. Maybe you should give it another view.
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I dont find the film slow or anything...even has a kid I could make it through the film...that was when I originally watched it...at the age of around 11 or 12 I think...and I thought it was great back then and it held a grip on me...still one of the best movies ever made...
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If you can't stay awake for The Seventh Seal, you better steer clear of the rest of Bergman's films. It's one of the most "interesting" in terms of action.
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Re: The Seventh Seal
Originally posted by CUBuffsMike41
After hearing so much about Ingmar Bergman (snip)
After hearing so much about Ingmar Bergman (snip)
Bergman films are more about philosophies and emotions than anything else. If you've never felt like living in a world without a God, then I'm sure The Seventh Seal is sleep inducing.
Reminds me of an anecdote I heard about how Bergman visited a Hollywood set. Bergman had never seen a 'squib' and so when Charles Bronson heard about this he asked, "So how do you use machine guns in your films?"
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Originally posted by bdots48
If you can't stay awake for The Seventh Seal, you better steer clear of the rest of Bergman's films. It's one of the most "interesting" in terms of action.
If you can't stay awake for The Seventh Seal, you better steer clear of the rest of Bergman's films. It's one of the most "interesting" in terms of action.
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From your DVD collection, you have a lot of Woody Allen (good for you). Did you know that Woody Allen’s favorite directors are Bergman and Fellini. This is apparent in September, which is a Bergmanesque film.
IMHO, Seventh Seal is one of the best films ever, and as François Truffaut stated in his film 400 Blows, "The film had depth." Not referring to Seventh Seal, but it is the point that he makes. Seventh Seal has depth, and it is not a film that comes to you. You have to actively participate in the film as if you read a book or view some art at the Louvre. As you peel away the different layers you find something anew and eventually you breathe the film as you view it.
MrN - the Charles Bronson quote was great.
IMHO, Seventh Seal is one of the best films ever, and as François Truffaut stated in his film 400 Blows, "The film had depth." Not referring to Seventh Seal, but it is the point that he makes. Seventh Seal has depth, and it is not a film that comes to you. You have to actively participate in the film as if you read a book or view some art at the Louvre. As you peel away the different layers you find something anew and eventually you breathe the film as you view it.
MrN - the Charles Bronson quote was great.
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Originally posted by DVD Smurf
From your DVD collection, you have a lot of Woody Allen (good for you). Did you know that Woody Allen’s favorite directors are Bergman and Fellini. This is apparent in September, which is a Bergmanesque film.
From your DVD collection, you have a lot of Woody Allen (good for you). Did you know that Woody Allen’s favorite directors are Bergman and Fellini. This is apparent in September, which is a Bergmanesque film.
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My personal favorite is Bergman's 1983 masterpiece "Fanny and Alexander," an almost Dickensian fable about a Swedish family. It's very long. And every minute is just wonderful. I think this is by far his most accessible film. It was nominated for something like six Oscars, winning something like three). Alas, it's not available on DVD yet. You'll have to scrounge-up a VHS copy.
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Originally posted by Grouch094820 & 5/17
I've found Wild Strawberries to be Bergman's most "accessable" film. Although, looking at the plot summary one might never guess it.
I've found Wild Strawberries to be Bergman's most "accessable" film. Although, looking at the plot summary one might never guess it.
If you liked Interiors, perhaps you should try Through A Glass Darkly.
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Originally posted by Suprmallet
If you liked Interiors, perhaps you should try Through A Glass Darkly.
If you liked Interiors, perhaps you should try Through A Glass Darkly.
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Originally posted by CUBuffsMike41
The thing is, September is by far my favorite Woody Allen film. Another similar one I love is Interiors. Each about pretty extensive emotional turmoil, and pretty cerebral.
The thing is, September is by far my favorite Woody Allen film. Another similar one I love is Interiors. Each about pretty extensive emotional turmoil, and pretty cerebral.
Scenes From A Marriage may be more of what you are looking for, but Criterion's dvd set does not come out until March.
http://www.criterionco.com/asp/release.asp?id=229 I am very excited about this release because I have never seen the 5 hour television version before.
Otherwise, I think I would first recommend either the box set containing Through A Glass Darkly/Winter Light/The Silence http://www.criterionco.com/asp/boxed_set.asp?id=208 or Cries and Whispers http://www.criterionco.com/asp/release.asp?id=101
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I thought this film was incredibly boring. The only interesting interactions are between the knight and Death and those are far between and few. Even with the philosophical musings it isn't all that thought-provoking when you consider that any ordinary man has deliberated whether or not god exists, if there is emptiness after death, the terror of that notion, etc...
actually, the musings are quite shallow.
I just don't see how this film is hailed as one of the greatest.
actually, the musings are quite shallow.
I just don't see how this film is hailed as one of the greatest.
#16
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I didn't really like it either. It actually scared me off of Bergman for a while. I haven't seen much by him beside Virgin Spring and the Criterion box set (Through a Glass Darkly, The Silence, Winter Light). I enjoyed the box set very much, particularly Winter Light and Through a Glass...)
I'm looking forward to viewing Virgin Spring again. I saw it during my college years in the late 80's and remember liking it.
I'm looking forward to viewing Virgin Spring again. I saw it during my college years in the late 80's and remember liking it.