Ingmar Bergman -- What are His Best Early Movies?

[@iakona23]

Crisis is much better than most people realize. It’s very touching. The aunt who had raised her niece as her adoptive mother was the emotional core of the film. I found some of the ideas in the film to be quite profound.

[@BaronMichaelDeBlone1066]

First of all I have to say very accurate succinct appreciation of Bergman and not just his movies but his thinking and motivations. I came to Bergman somewhat accidentally via The Seventh Seal (1957) through my favourite genre; Horror which imho this movie is on the outer fringes of. Overall I have seen several of Ingmar's films. I have just recently completed a chronology of bookmarks and the good news is that all but a few of the legendary Swede's films are currently available on KZbin. The Criterion collection is of course something worth having but for those lacking its considerable cash layout nil desperandum (impoverished students - hey been there folks, even homeless so I do know what I am talking about in that respect at least LOL). Anyway I have now begun my chronological journey through the films of Ingmar Bergman so far in order. I will be retreading the ones already viewed as part of checking out ongoing development, themes etc. Of course this video fits nicely into my plans. I am presently up to and including Port of Call (1948). From memory but appreciating the recap: nothing from this first decade has so far quite topped Sawdust and Tinsel yet for me either. Very briefly I would include Bergman's influence on Torment (1944) then Crisis and It Rains Upon Our Love (both 1946) as all excellent. The entries after that up to and including Port of Call have all felt like a bit of a lull. Whilst still being enjoyable they are somewhat harder to sit through in places. Whilst also not being a violent person I find the highlight for me is the theme of punch ups which are built up to and set very realistically in their ugliness rather than glory - it really just is how some people are and others get drawn into through circumstances. Back to looking positively though I feel that was going on with Bergman in this period was a broadening and deepening exploration building up to his later classics. A formative part of the directorial and writing career (obviously, yes I know). Just to add to your brief points re: Sawdust and Tinsel (without as yet having seen your related video review): this is also key in that it forms part of Bergman's own artistic heritage through an earlier form of performing entertainers. Going back in time to direct a bunch of medieval travellers - if any body else picked up on that tangent. I aren't known for appreciating repeats, including happily no longer for over 10 years possessing a TV set which became cluttered with them, but I am seriously looking forward to viewing that film for a second time.

[@leoalesis]

After seeing all the Bergman´s classics, I was researching about his early films. I had already seen Dreams and Waiting Women. it's incredible how he maintains such a high level having so many films. This video has been a great help. I really like your way of explaining and I have discovered many other great movies thanks to your channel , so thank you very much. Greetings from Argentina.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. Many more Bergman movies are on the way here. Viva Argentina!

[@markvegar33]

I want that collection. Blown away by the relatability of Summer with Monika. He is a film maker that wears his heart on his sleeve, not afraid to explore death, loss, faith and the human condition. Summer Interlude has memorable images, that simple shot of her balancing on the tips of her feet to kiss. I liked "Rains on Love" and Gunnar Bjornstrand is hilarious in "A Lesson In Love". Great cast, also Eva Dahlbeck and Ake Gronberg. Regrettably i haven't managed to watch Sawdust and Tinsel.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thanks, yes given what you like here, you would probably appreciate Sawdust.

[@aramys2790]

Love your videos. Keep going on. What an incredible director that is Bergman, I've only seen Summer with Monika and now I plan on seeing the ones you talked about. I feel Bergman's films are all interesting and worth watching.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you very much.

[@johnsharman7930]

Thanks for this: my favourite early Bergman is Sawdust and Tinsel, Summer with Monika, Summer Interlude, though I'm sending for a collection of earlier Bergman like Crisis, To Joy, Prison, Music in Darkness, Port of Call, Thirst and Torment: so I'll probably revise some. I have also seen Smiles of a Summer Night, A lesson in Love and Waiting Women. Wild Strawberries takes a bit of beating! But working from his earlier films gives you a slow sense of his developing these and mastery for the later masterpieces.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. yes, I worked through all of his chronologically, and I highly recommend that for the interested viewer, instead of say the order recommended in the Criterion anthology, which mixes up his filmography and groups his movies according to thematic concerns.

[@JC-yr5by]

I love Bergman's early movies!! I loved them all, i thinks there's still 5 movies to go, and even though the heavy topics are still there, it feels so lightweight and somewhat comforting, like a summer breeze... My favorite director. Thanks for this amazing video. My favorites are: Summer interlude Sawdust and tinsel Smiles of a summer night Waiting woman To Joy

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@iakona23]

Very good choices, especially Summer Interlude and Sawdust and Tinsel. I would add A Lesson in Love, and Dreams. I really like those 2.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. I agree with you.

[@alanwatson4249]

Great stuff. I have only really looked at 'The Seventh Seal' properly. I'll now be trying to see as many of his other films as I can. I started taking an interest in film in London in the 70's when there were hundreds more cinemas. Many would put on late shows or all-nighters at the weekend featuring then little known foreign and American B films. Sadly missed. The up side with video and digital technology is that the 'prints' are so much better - those of Bergman's films you used are really amazingly good. Keep it up, greatly appreciated.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. Missed indeed. All of these films are in the massive Criterion Bergman set, which I don't know if that is available in the UK or not. however, if you have the channel, the films should be on there.

[@leinerjesusdiaz8502]

Wowwww, I feel very happy for it. I was waiting this review for a long time. Thank you for show me a great analysis about one of the best cinematographers of all time.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome.

[@laBichon999]

The plot for crisis kind of reminds me a little bit of Through the Back Door (1921) a silent Mary Pickford film although not exactly. I wonder if he had seen it.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

very interesting connection and you've given an undergraduate or graduate a lead for a paper or more. (Bergman and silent Hollywood movies would be a good doctorate topic.)

[@rohitpawar2195]

One of all time greats.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, we've got about seven Bergman videos lined up here, over the next few months. Probably more than that will be made, eventually.

[@BloodBrothers87]

Great video, will definitely be checking out all of the ones you've mentioned that I've yet to see. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the rest of Bergman's career!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. I'm up to 1971, 30 movies in, and have made perhaps 7-9 videos so far!

[@BloodBrothers87]

@@LearningaboutMovies really looking forward to seeing them. Out of curiosity, when you reach Scenes From A Marriage and Fanny & Alexander, do you plan to watch the film adaptations or the television versions?

[@LearningaboutMovies]

TV.

[@cleocatra9324]

I want to see all these! Ive only seen The Seventh Seal and The Virgin Spring. Anybody know if these have subtitles?

[@Dante_2023]

The Seventh Seal (1957) - amazing Movie.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

we are getting there on this channel, but not quite there. That video comes out next month.

[@Space-nb7dr]

My favorite movie of all time 🥰

[@abrahamchen8627]

I loved Port Of Call and Crisis!

[@NostalgiNorden]

Here are som "Early" favourites of mine; Summer with Monica Sawdust & Tinsel A Lesson In Love Smiles of a summernight

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@NostalgiNorden]

Also: Everyone should watch "Torment". Written by Bergman and directed by Alf Sjöberg(Except for the last scene that was directed by Bergman).

[@satyarthsingh2276]

Great video, Mr. Matthews

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you, Satyarth.

[@cleocatra9324]

Yes I am!

[@mateuszdzieniszewski6714]

I trully Love Ingmar. What about some Fellini's staff? :P

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes. I will finish Bergman, perhaps go to Malick or Fellini next, and then to the other one.

[@Space-nb7dr]

Ingmar Bergam is Genius, the Bach of Cinema

[@LearningaboutMovies]

hmmm, maybe Brahms?

[@Space-nb7dr]

@@LearningaboutMovies Brahms is great, but Bergman makes so many movies like Bach

[@Space-nb7dr]

@AtR Agree

[@abrahamchen8627]

Ecclesiastes? Is there a good version to read? Is it in the Bible? I’m not Christian so I have no idea.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Yes, in the Bible.

[@brauliolamusic]

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