This post is named for the opening track on Scott Walker's magnificent 1969 album, Scott 4. It was inspired by the 1958 film of the same name directed by Ingmar Bergman, who has died today at the age of 89. Of his 60-or-so films, The Seventh Seal, currently on re-release in British cinemas, is the only one I've yet to see. It will not be the last.
The film follows a knight, played by a pre-Jesus, pre-Ming the Merciless Max von Sydow, travelling across a medieval countryside ravaged by plague. It is best known for, and most powerful during, the scenes in which the knight plays chess with Death, gambling his life upon the outcome of the match. Shot in inky black-and-white, the film captures the sense of loneliness and disorientation felt by characters facing death, and who find no deity to turn to for help.
Written by Bergman, the film examines notions of death more closely associated with then-current existentialism rather than medieval folklore, and for me there's a dash of surrealism thrown into the mix. Its powerful and unnerving; the final image haunts long after the film has finished.
Hopefully it won't be too long before the BBC show a series of films celebrating Bergman's long and prolific career. I will be watching; until then, I may have to make do with catching The Seventh Seal on it's current re-release. I'd advise anyone reading to do the same.
The film follows a knight, played by a pre-Jesus, pre-Ming the Merciless Max von Sydow, travelling across a medieval countryside ravaged by plague. It is best known for, and most powerful during, the scenes in which the knight plays chess with Death, gambling his life upon the outcome of the match. Shot in inky black-and-white, the film captures the sense of loneliness and disorientation felt by characters facing death, and who find no deity to turn to for help.
Written by Bergman, the film examines notions of death more closely associated with then-current existentialism rather than medieval folklore, and for me there's a dash of surrealism thrown into the mix. Its powerful and unnerving; the final image haunts long after the film has finished.
Hopefully it won't be too long before the BBC show a series of films celebrating Bergman's long and prolific career. I will be watching; until then, I may have to make do with catching The Seventh Seal on it's current re-release. I'd advise anyone reading to do the same.
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