Word: sealing
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...Seventh Seal...
Despite the success of his comedy, Bergman didn't dally long in the realms of the humorous. In "The Seventh Seal," which was made after "Smiles of a Summer Night," Bergman turns fuly to the exploration of despair. In this medieval allegory, Antonius Block (Max von Sydow), a Knight, returns with his squire Jons (Gunnar Bjornstrand) to Sweden after ten years in the Crusades. Death, played inndibly by Bengt Ekerot, comes to take the Knight, but the Knight, Seeking to win a respite, challenges Death to a game of chess. The Knight and Jons travel the contryside, which is ravaged...
...almsot seems to play itself out in a medieval present. At first there is a temptation to mock the seriousness of the film and the self-importance of the Knight's quest, which at times appears like a remnant of 1950s existentialist philosophy; but the images in "The Seventh Seal" are so hypnotically charged that one is pulled in and held fast...
...plot synopsis in the notes for the retrospective concludes with the sentence, "Film ends as Jof, Mia and their child walk off towards a new day." That is as cliched a sentence as one can find, but the ending of "The Seventh Seal" is far from cliched. Just as the ending of "Smiles of a Summer Night" was in many rspects a false ending belied by the content of the film, the optimistic ending of "The Seventh Seal" is ironical. Mia and Jof walking into the sunrise cannot erase the previous images; Death will come for them...
...anyone uncaquainted with Bergman's work, "Smiles of a Summer Night" and, "The Seventh Seal" make excellent introductions. For those already familiar with Bergmar, the retrospective at the Harvard Film Arc provides an opportunity to rediscer Bergman's greatness. The retrospective continues with "Wild Strawberris," Persona," "Cries and Whispers" and "Fanny and Alexander...