As the plague tears through medieval Europe, a knight (Max von Sydow) returning from the Crusades, challenges Death (Bengt Ekerot) to a game of chess. If he wins a game Death will postpone his demise, and allow the knight to perform at least one noble deed.
The mention of Ingmar Bergman can often strike trepidation into the hearts of film lovers. His name is so ubiquitous with existentialism that sitting down to watch one of his films can feel like cinematic homework rather than a pleasure. This might be true of his later work, but before The Seventh Seal, Bergman was known for his sexy comedies. The Seventh Seal was Bergman’s first foray into the allegorical. But that shouldn’t deter newcomers to Bergman’s films, for although The Seventh Seal uncompromisingly questions religion, blind faith and superstition it does so with humour. Death is not the dour, sombre character you might expect. He is really rather amiable in his manner, a bit of a trickster and has more in common with Bill and Ted’s Death than you’d initially think. When he comes to collect a soul the person whose soul he has come for is hiding up a tree. The poor peasant pleads for extra time as he has children. Naturally, Death knows that is a lie and he gleefully saws down the tree.
The first of many stand-out performances is that of Max von Sydow (has that man ever given a duff performance) as the disillusioned knight Antonius Block. After ten years of fighting in the crusades, the atrocities he has witnessed have all but eroded his faith in God and humanity. The man exudes a palpable weary disillusionment, and although he has comparatively few lines compared to other cast members his presence onscreen is magnetic. The Seventh Seal was Sydow’s first collaboration with Bergman.
Gunnar Björnstrand plays Block’s squire Jöns. It’s a wonderfully understated performance full of dry wit and sardonic humour. As a counterpoint to Jöns dry sense of humour, we have Jof (Nils Poppe), an acrobat and performer, and gifted – or cursed – with divine visions.
The Seventh Seal sees the BFI label enter the 4K arena which highlights Gunnar Fischer’s gorgeous black and white cinematography to absolute perfection.
As with BFI releases the extras are both eclectic and informative. The newly recorded audio commentary by film critic and editor-in-chief of Diabolique magazine, Kat Ellinger is of particular interest. She compares a scene of penitents in the act of self-flagellation to something out of a horror film, and it is indeed a disturbing scene full of smoke and off-kilter camera angles.
Behind the scenes footage from The Seventh Seal is rare silent footage with optional audio commentary by film scholar Ian Christie. It shows Bergman and some of the cast exploring locations as well as between takes shenanigans. Despite the short shooting schedule and the subject matter the cast and crew can be seen having a fun time. It also perfectly exemplifies Bergman’s sense of humour and mischievous nature. Karin’s Face is Bergman’s short film based on pictures from his personal photo album, particularly those of his mother, Karin. Naturally, there is the original trailer and a booklet that briefly describes the making of the film.
Ingmar Bergman’s iconic The Seventh Seal remains one of cinema’s most important and influential films and BFI’s release couldn’t be more timely.
The Seventh Seal is out now on 4K Blu-ray.
