The Seventh Seal -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 104)

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Ingmar Bergman's classic The Seventh Seal stars Max Von Sydow as a Swedish knight who is returning home from the Crusades. Famously, this character plays chess with Death, for his life.
However, this ensemble movie full of character types discusses nearly everything. This video analyzes and discusses The Seventh Seal for a few of the many subjects it brings up, including acting and art.
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Disclaimer: All reasonable comments are welcome, including reasoned disagreements. You will be banned for foolish talk, harassment, and hate speech on sight; it's a tremendous waste of life. I believe in freedom of association and, by extension, freedom of dissociation from you.

[@gregmatic2861]

The ting that struck me from this movie is that the Knight spent his adult life fighting for his faith but comes home looking for God yet is unable to find Him or any proof of Him. Then you have Jof who isn't looking for anything but has these visions yet never once does this serious knight ask Jof anything but the time they spend together is some of the knight's most peaceful. It's ironic. Jof is the only one who could answer his questions but nobody would believe him.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

that's great stuff. thank you.

[@hankworden3850]

ting! 🔔

[@shanenolan085]

Good analysis

[@kleinosim-asu7428]

Bruhhhh... My brain didn't even go there.... Goddamn

[@rosediamond39]

I wanted to like your comment but it was at 444 so I didn't want to ruin it ❤❤❤

[@bookerbooker6317]

I thought the ending was about how the way to 'beat death' is to live your life joyfully and not spend all your time thinking about death

[@giorgiaptsiauri8815]

thats written in bibel.

[@Dan-ch8kv]

@@giorgiaptsiauri8815 where?

[@giorgiaptsiauri8815]

logikally if mathusalles lived nine hundred yaears.there was the imortality.

[@TheCyberianWonder]

Was struck by the part where Death answers Block's petitions about the secret answers the meaning of life with the confeesion, "I know nothing." There is no bargaining or reasoning with Death. Just love life, your horse, your wife, your family, and fellow travelers like Jof does.

[@reallivebluescat]

Bible ​@@Dan-ch8kv

[@JLaSalle19]

This was the first Bergman movie i ever watched. Went into it completely blind. Incredible film.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent!

[@The_Mimewar]

Same! To be honest, I saw the date it was made, and black and white, AND not in English, I wasn’t looking forward to it. I was quickly drawn in

[@idoflow_7996]

Me too and then I started to watch all of his movie I think I'm at 5 movies now. Shame was a very disturbing one at first it was love between a couple and I was looking forward to a love story that shows how real love looks like between two persons but then the movie took a real devastating shocking and surprising detour I was very disappointed and sad.

[@JRBeast-nw3xg]

Same

[@Klingstrom.N]

I am from Sweden and I still can’t fathom that this is a swedish film. Such an amazing piece. Nothing else like it in sweden

[@YhigalMeshuach]

Sluta det finns mycket bra i sverige va stålt förfan

[@redbrixanimations]

I wish I understood Swedish so I could get the original experience. How does the Swedish dialogue compare to the English subtitles?

[@Klingstrom.N]

@ Watched it without subtitles since I understand what they’re saying lol. But I would say that the way we say things are different from the way the english language phrases things. Especially with the way they talk in this movie. It is very old swedish. The language has changed a ton from back then. So they might say here ”Inte faller trädet emot backens lutning” Which would be translated to ”the tree doesn’t fall against the hills slope, no?” But the full translation would be ”not falls the tree against the hills slope” which sounds wrong and we would’t even say it now as they did then. So there are some differences, especially with the time difference. But other than that it’s pretty much the same meaning. You just don’t get the same almost formality as we hear and understand. It is like the difference between an english person now and an english person 100 years ago. How they were more formal back then

[@redbrixanimations]

@@Klingstrom.N At least we non-Swedish speakers can still see facial expressions and tone of voice while not being able to pick up on word and phrase choice. I’ve also noticed that even the English subtitles seemed very formal at times, dissimilar to how an English speaker talks nowadays.

[@Th3BigBoy]

I remember death telling the one actor in the forest that their isn't a loophole for actors "in your case"

[@LearningaboutMovies]

hmmm, I don't remember that.

[@Th3BigBoy]

@@LearningaboutMovies when he saws down the tree and the actor is trying to reason with him. The actor is going on about loopholes and "isn't there a clause for actors" and Death says "not in your case".

[@rthomasrex]

wow, fantastic catch! you're right he does mention that.

[@_ILB_angadgiri]

What does that actually meant? Why did he mention "in your case"?

[@EgoEroTergum]

​@@_ILB_angadgiri Because, Death lets the joyful actor and his wife get away, while he is "distracted". So, not all actors. But some.

[@redpenink12]

I like the little flourishes in the film like the squirrel who nibbles the sawdust on the tree stump or the ray of light that appears after the hypocrite dies from the plague. Also it uses a minimalist approach to put us into the Middle Ages. That one shot of the flying crow really establishes the setting better than a big CGI set piece could.

[@ronaldmilner8932]

The Seventh Seal is a masterpiece and has been on my top 10 foreign film list for more than 30 years!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent!

[@anosikelight3084]

how can i see it? 🥺 is there a download link?

[@medusaspupil]

@@anosikelight3084 HBO max

[@tomtinley3262]

@@anosikelight3084 it’s actually on KZbin for free now

[@anosikelight3084]

@@tomtinley3262 i don't think so. can you drop a link to the actual movie you claim is on youtube? cos i've been searching as soon as i saw this, just replying now cos i've given up my search

[@Dr.AuMădoare]

art, art escapes death. Its all we got. None of the nobleman questions are answered. But the actor, he sees beyond the phisical. Bergman got it right . What an great movie!

[@AdurianJ]

The movie was filmed at Filmstaden (film town)in Solna a town suburb of Stockholm. It's funny seeing the witch burning scene knowing there are funktionalist high rises just out of frame because it's so close to the town. Today the Filmstaden area has been re-developed into condominiums.

[@fatimachanoufi]

I have been struggling with an existential crisis for almost a year now , I am 24. It is the hardest thing I have ever and pretty sure, will ever experience in my life. As Jean- paul Sartre likes to call it , the absurdity of the world. I have had episodes where I am terrified by the simplest of things in life ( human behavior , speech, feelings, even my loved ones. So during my look for an answer to what I am going through( because I had no idea at first) , I stumbled upon this movie , and let me tell you , it made me cry for no absolute reason but it felt nice, because I knew I wasn't alone going through this . I thought I was going mad. To whoever is going through this or can relate to any of this , keep up , you're not alone friend.

[@MarkLewis...]

I mean this with complete respect... if you are questioning the meaning of life at only 24, then you need professional help. As someone in my 50's, a Nihilist, and who battles/suffers from MDD and severe social anxiety, please get the help you need. Nothing matters.... except you.

[@fatimachanoufi]

@@MarkLewis... I appreciate your concern , I've never thought that it would ever be this serious but now I really am considering getting therapy because it is becoming very heavy and feel like i'm wasting my life...Thank you for your words and I hope you are taking care of yourself!

[@MarkLewis...]

@@fatimachanoufi I'll give you the warning no one else will... Therapy will be hard at first... Your therapist needs to get to know you. But in time, it gets better... and so do you. 👍😎❤️

[@lauterunvollkommenheit4344]

Forget about the pedophile Sartre. Of course he found the normal world absurd. Play with dogs, listen to Bach cantatas and Haydn symphonies, read The Master and Margarita. Be patient. "I don't need to know my goal, since my goal knows me".

[@sandrosxila]

Don't seek the meaning of life, because it's meaningless. It is you who gives your life meaning. The knight is the happiest when he enjoys the present moment, eating strawberries and knowing death is near, he has no worries of the past or future anymore. A person lives here and now, so he can feel alive without overthinking. You might be doing a simple thing and be the happiest without burdening yourself with different thoughts.

[@hectoronatejr.9041]

If I could give you a recommendation which shares similar themes (that is of death) to The Seventh Seal is a Mexican film called Macario (1960). It’s set during Día de Los Muertos, the main character Macario, is a poor woodcutter who barely has enough to feed his family let alone himself because of this he is left with much hunger. His only desire is to have a meal all to himself without sharing and vows not to eat until he gets it,he eventually gets his wish which as his wife steals a turkey and prepares for him. Just as he about to consume his long awaited meal he is approached (one by one) by three persons who represent Satan, God, and Death. Each asking for a piece of turkey but he eventually shares it with death and makes a pact with him what follows it something that he was not expecting. Hopefully you can give this a watch it’s considered to be one of Mexico’s greatest films and its a personal favorite.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

Compare it to Kurosawa's IKIRU: both are about a man facing death who wants to find some meaning before he goes. (Both are characteristic of postwar existentialism.) The great stories about death are really about life!

[@junglebells8885]

"İn vino veritas, İn aqua sanitas." It means In wine there is truth, in the water there is health. I think that's why the sea is that important in this movie.

[@irobius74]

This was such a great film to run across late at night while fighting off a cold. So good I had to rewatch again the next morning.

[@joebrown5016]

Funnily enough I have Covid and it is 01:46

[@TrueSonOfOdin]

It is ironic ... and tragic ... that Max von Sydow died at the very start of the COVID pandemic. He could have recommended this film as inspiration to deal with what confronted us. We are all playing for time against Death.

[@pariahlord3540]

Comparing this film and the messages within, specifically relating the black plague to the joke that is covid, is probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard. If anything it's a miracle he died at the start of the covid pandemic so he wouldn't have to see the world devolve into lunacy over the nothing that was covid. If you ever thought for a second that coronavirus was anything but a joke, you were watching way too much "news"

[@TrueSonOfOdin]

@@pariahlord3540 COVID was no joke in early 2020, if you can remember back that far.

[@pariahlord3540]

@@TrueSonOfOdin covid was always a joke. Everyone's response to it was serious, but covid itself was a joke. Stop being a child

[@robbilp5465]

@@pariahlord3540 6,8 Million People died with/ due to covid. It was no joke.

[@daehed6079]

​@@robbilp5465there are 8 billion people in the world... Ultimately your number is relatively nothing, and what else does old and frail people die from if not that last kick to push them over the edge, their deaths would in the absence of covid19 been attributed to influenza and alike

[@nathanrich4441]

Fantastic film. This is my second Bergman film (Persona was the first I saw), and both are fantastic. I love how both films leave so much up for interpretation. I don't think they're supposed to make you feel one certain way. This film especially says different things to different people, which is incredible and shows his true talent. Great analysis!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you, Nathan.

[@clumsydad7158]

some ambiguity is the hallmark of much great work, and an art in itself, as are the questions in life about what is right and true ... many perspectives

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

The symbolism is so heavy you have a scene with death personified. You could do it for shits and giggles, but imagine the Chutzpah of going for the real? In any other hand, it would've come off as banal or heavy handed, not even Woody Allen dared doing anything heavier than a spoof. But going in for real, that takes balls.

[@GoldwaterB]

5:40 Correction: "Distracted [not 'distraction'] from distraction by distraction." It makes sense that way.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@cruddddddddddddddd]

I love this film. Perhaps my favorite film? If I had to choose just one. A lot of things hit for me: the cinematography, the themes, writing, acting... just a brilliant film. Good stuff

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent! thank you.

[@AnthonyFlack]

I thought this film was going to be a difficult watch, but it's not at all; it's tight and punchy and constantly entertaining.

[@joshsalwen]

Same. I started watching because “it is a classic.” But it is awesome. Serious, funny, poignant. I just loved it.

[@psynque]

I don't think you two understood it at all

[@shanenolan085]

Just finished it yesterday and thought it was interesting like you stated. After I watched, I did minor research on it but I loved the story and cinematography. The film is summed up like he said when he went to confession and Death was there... one good act and also searching for answers before he transcends. Also, when before death checkmate him, he says something about his next move (foreshadowing), then checkmate him and once they all see each other again... takes them away.

[@clumsydad7158]

I was thinking that as he's told by Death he'll take away everyone he's with next time, that the Knight maybe would stay solitary after that. But I guess that artificially would avoid the inevitability the film emphasized; no escaping death, nor where nor when.

[@polymathpark]

Death cheats the knight, and the knight cheats death as well

[@clumsydad7158]

no rules in love and war and death i guess

[@Imalrightma]

A magnificent existential film with a terrific amount of fart jokes. The Seventh Seal was my first Bergman film and i gave it a whole hearted 5 stars. I love how surreal and fantastical it is and the use of the camera and shot framing is nothing short of stunning like nothing i had ever seen before. Genius.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

amen.

[@colfury100]

Just watched the film and came looking to learn more, glad I found this video very insightful presentation no fluff just content very good thank you!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome. Thanks for watching and for the comment.

[@hnorrstrom]

I don't remember the movie it self but after seeing these random clips, I felt like Monty Python's Holy Grail movie took some inspiration from it. With the knight riding around searching and everything, meeting all these strange characters and all. But might just by my imagination.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, I would think so, though someone else should confirm that. Certainly, the second Bill and Ted movie is directly based on this film.

[@ÖrjanGrahn-i6h]

Sir Terry Pratchett have developed the black robed image of Death a bit in Disc-world books.

[@jonharrison9222]

They parodied the film in the opening credits of Holy Grail.

[@darkhumour2210]

I think both Monty python and seventh seal's knight theme is from don Quixote the knight novel where Quixote travel around world to face new challenges

[@OutOnALimb9199]

I watched The Seventh Seal probably almost a year ago by this point. I have a habit of stumbling onto great films without knowing it. I think this one appeared on my HBO max recommendations and have been forever grateful I watched it. I think about this movie a LOT. It's denseness, the ambiguous representation of Death (both there to do a job, but willing to offer mercy/participate in some frivolity). The line of "I will be silent, but in protest" is something I need tattooed on me. Right next to "'So you know nothing?' 'I have nothing to tell.'" I always find myself smiling so much during this film. Especially as Block distracts death long enough to allow Mary & Joseph (to use your words) to escape. I could yap for hours about this film & I'll continue to watch it again and again.

[@prashunpcchakraborty70]

This was my first Bergman film and while I liked it, it was slightly underwhelming for me (given all the hype). I would recommend first time Bergman watchers to go for Persona instead (lives up to the hype and then some). However as the years have passed on I feel my mind goes more to Seventh Seal than it does to Persona, I keep analyzing and over analyzing Seventh Seal and with time my appreciation and respect for it has grown. Josh, what's your take on the Knight taking special interest in the safety of the family, he lost his match but then cockily said to death "nothing gets past you right?" When he was able to achieve the escape of the family. Dunno why he eventually led Death to the castle he could have spared his wife.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. I've been thinking about what the entry Bergman movie is, and quite honestly I don't think there is one. "Autumn Sonata" or Wild Strawberries for the middle-aged, maybe Persona for the younger, though Persona is kind of an aberration in the filmography. the Knight leads everybody to death through ... his attempted deceit? trying to prolong his own life? you are right to notice that he leads Death to his own home, which takes out everybody (presumably). There's a subtle comment there on bringing the war back home, WW2 at that time for example.

[@prashunpcchakraborty70]

@@LearningaboutMovies interesting take on the end, makes me think that if the knight was kind of an egoist, he lost the chess game but did get one over him in the end when he helped the family escape.

[@irobius74]

I assumed that Antonius Bloc was unknowingly carrying the plague with him and that’s how everyone around him dies in the end.

[@prashunpcchakraborty70]

@@irobius74 interesting take

[@janedoe5229]

I thought that when he got to the castle, they all died of the Black Death, from the rats in the castle. But the acting troupe stayed in the forest, away from the town, so they were able to avoid the rats.

[@phantom213]

I truly consider it one of the greatest movies ever made.

[@sandrosxila]

Jof and his family went through the storm and survived. When others went to the building, there was a fireplace and warmth. It might mean that if you want to be alive, you must go out of your comfort zone, be cunning and discerning like a fox to see death coming, and bold like a lion to go through the storm.

[@pdcasablanca]

Great video! Hope you are planning to discuss some more Bergman movies. I am a huge fan! I'm actually from his hometown of Uppsala, Sweden.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

wow, feel free to give us your hometown insights! Videos on many Bergman movies are scheduled over this summer (in the north). Winter Light, Persona, etc.

[@pdcasablanca]

@@LearningaboutMovies Looking forward to that! Well, before the pandemic, I used to pass his street every day on my way to Uppsala University. The street is of course named after Bergman, it's called "Ingman Bergmansgatan".

[@sandramorey2529]

I've seen this movie multiple times and I see no reason to study it deeply. It stands by itself among films. It is a historical telling of the middle ages and it had all the elements. I loved it when I was 17 and I love it now.

[@starlight_garden]

2:38 The Seventh Sail is based on a play that Bergman wrote (Wood Painting). For a play, it doesn't strike me as odd to have "types" of characters, but it is a little odd for a film. In my mind.

[@masterklaw4527]

I had my first kiss while watching this film. That was today!

[@lil_truth]

Awww I hope your sister enjoyed it 😊

[@masterklaw4527]

@@lil_truth first of all, I was on a date. Second of all, jokes about incest aren’t funny. When I was 11, my sister literally tried to rape me.

[@skippyskippy7687]

Did she succeed?​@@masterklaw4527

[@skoogadoo]

@@masterklaw4527😟

[@jerritkramer4810]

Wtf is this exchange

[@Me-gs1mp]

You need to check out Scott Walker's song The Seventh Seal. Wonderful.

[@dr.saliniv.s8902]

Exactly fantastic movie I watched for ever ... I watch this movie atleast twice a year

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent!

[@cpt.blainesmotie6068]

I saw this movie on late night TV 50 years ago because it was the only thing to watch back then. It always stuck in my head for some reason. Made me a von Sydow fan.

[@johnburlinson6697]

I first saw this film about ten years after it was made. I viewed it in a university auditorium, and some idiot had programmed a short film called De Düva (1968) just before 7th Seal. De Düva is a comic short making fun of Bergman and includes a number of references to the Seventh Seal. One scene, in particular, showed the sea bird (the titular Dove) that features so prominently at the beginning of Bergman's film taking a crap on the head of one of the characters. So, when Seventh Seal started there was a huge laugh from the audience at the sight of the bird. The hilarity continued throughout whenever a reference to De Düva occurred. One of the stupidest programming decisions ever.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

good story, thank you.

[@ragepage1596]

You sunk my battleship!

[@joshdesko6760]

It’s been a number of years since I’ve seen this movie, but I remember admiring it a lot. Another Max von Sydow film that I’ve had on my list to watch for years is The Emigrants and the New Land. I’m hoping the Criterion Channel has it available one of these days.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

probably will, hopefully.

[@palten88]

Those are Great movies, but im might be a bit biased also as a swede who learned about the struggles during the 1800

[@1superloki]

This is one of those movies that everytime I watch it I am seeing for first time. I love it. I wich it was longer.

[@Annausagi2]

Like you mentioned in the video; Bergman apparently did struggle with his fears about death, faith and the afterlife (very understandable and relatable, tbf... x,D) and I can't remember where I read this, but he said that these fears were one reason why he made this film. Apparently, it felt very cathartic. :,)

[@BunkerWise215]

Bergman is a woman 👠💄 not a man Lol

[@clumsydad7158]

@@BunkerWise215 Bergwoman? 🙂

[@patrickblack6080]

I think you touched on something with the starting and ending at the sea with the final scene of course including most of the group walking with death (presumably to the afterlife) the beginning and end of the film taking place both by the sea or "same spot" essentially could also be a loose allusion to Genesis 3:19 "Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from the ground, and to the ground you will return." Essentially your end will be the same way your beginning.

[@ÖrjanGrahn-i6h]

Bergman and the sea: After a vaccation in 1960 he got a house and filmed Persona and a few others at Fårö with i short ferry trip fron north part of Swedens biggest island Gotland (famous for a wellpreserved hanseatic town). "...white shores". brittish writer + new zealand director.

[@andrewaustin9536]

Thanks for the review. You made excellent points. I like the movie very much, myself, and I think it's a masterpiece.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome.

[@ts05pro]

I hiked through the place were they shot the chess scene a few days ago, it looks almost exactly the same still.

[@mr.sand7899]

The Seventh Seal is a cheerful movie about death. It says we're all going to die one day but it's ok because it happens to everyone.

[@tomasjonsson7141]

Its a classic for a reason =)

[@simonadumascu]

I don't know if you're aware, sir, but you're a gold mine of information for a student looking to dig the purpose of Bergman's movie, you'll be first in my bibliography, cheers!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

glad to be of help!

[@kali3665]

Nope - you can't beat Death playing chess. You have to play Twister. 🤣🤣🤣

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I thought they beat him at Battleship?

[@kali3665]

@@LearningaboutMovies I just remember Twister. Been a while since I've seen Bill & Ted.

[@shelbyg8837]

EXCELLENT! (air guitar solo intensifies)

[@AN_AN_100_]

few days ago I watched Kurosava's Ikiru,I thing those movies are quit similar,since both of the main actors are searching for the meaning of life.i think the main character here realised everything in the moment when he was drinking milk and eating strawberry,he saw the simplicity of life and happiness,after 10 years of searching he realised that it was all within small detailes.I also liked the seminarist character which later dies in the movie,because he represents that in life you should not depend on others faith you should search for your own.

[@tomlyle4991]

As an aside - I am a musician. I've lost count how many times I've heard someone say that I will live for ever because my music is featured in numerous recordings. And so in this film, perhaps Bergman has finally realized that despite his physical death being an absolute, because of his films, at least in that way he will indeed live forever. This is of course in addition to the unproven fact that it's likely that he believed in the Christian forms of the afterlife.

[@napoleonbonaparte45]

i love this film!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent!

[@thebubonicj]

The family survived because they saved themselves and abandoned the rest of them in the woods. The actor saw the knight literally playing with death and said, “We have to get out of here. We have to at least try.” Maybe it’s putting family before strangers, or not giving up even when death looks inevitable, could take a lot of meanings from it I guess

[@ADI-xp4qe]

Total introduction to terror management theory

[@LearningaboutMovies]

in what wya?

[@ThomasHill-g7l]

In the end the knights death was not in vain, he blew the game of chess and let the family escape

[@GH-oi2jf]

The knight and the squire - alter egos. The knight is tormented by angst, trying to find meaning to life amid the horrors of the crusades and the black death. The squire is not tormented. He takes life on its own terms and instinctively knows the difference between right and wrong.

[@natalijadrazovic5104]

He was a thief, look at his scared face 😊

[@gorsargsyan6887]

Do you know what’s truly astonishing in that movie? Notice how at the beginning he was scared of the death and he wanted to live on and finally understand the true meaning of life, but at the end he just accepted his fate and understood that death is unbeatable and you can’t change nothing, even if you have the chance to fight against it.

[@Th3BigBoy]

I just watched it. It's a brilliant film. Highly recommend.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@Xylus.]

This is the 4th Bergman film I've ever seen, and now my favorite. The last one I watched before was Persona, and I didn't really get it I guess. Seventh Seal feels like an incredibly well articulated philosophical essay by comparison. This film had my mind constantly turning, where Persona was inscrutable for me, but not in a fun way.

[@MBAinternetmktg]

Yes, great movie!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes!

[@CeciliaAndersson-x2x]

Thaths my grandfather max . He was a very humbel man.❤

[@LearningaboutMovies]

bless him. thank you.

[@surnoorsembhi]

Great review! Feedback: needs to be fragmented in parts so its easy to follow in an organized manner.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Thanks.

[@Artafact106]

I struggled with this film. I am by no means trying to be a contrarian here, but I don't think I "got" this film. I was very impressed by much of the cinematography, Von Sydow's performance, but honestly not much else. There was not a clear plot, and the characters were underdeveloped to say the least. I am not quite sure what the point of the actors and their child was. What was their meaning? They met up with the knight, and their story arc didn't go anywhere outside of them "escaping" death. I also was confused by the blacksmith and his wife; what was their overall purpose to the story? I guess my ultimate question is, what was the point of the film, outside of the knight and death's chess game? The scene with the thief and his dramatic death did nothing but make me chuckle (which I'm sure I wasn't supposed to be). I love films that do not hold your hand; I love having to think about what I am watching. I can also appreciate The Seventh Seal as a piece of art, a product of its time, but I don't for the life of me get the hype behind this film. It actually kind of makes me feel like I'm missing out, or dumb, or both.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

don't feel dumb. there are plenty of classic/top-200 films that I don't like at all, and there are videos on this channel about that. This film isn't easy, and I don't envy anyone trying it who doesn't know anything about Sweden, the middle ages, Christianity, and 20th century existentialism. even then, it was a struggle for me the first time. My first piece of advice would be to give it a few years and try again. Aging does wonders for opening up certain films, and this might be one of them.

[@cocainejesus65]

to me, as someone else might have mentioned , The Jof family and The Knight were two different type of people - The knight who had spent years in the name of God , bearing all kinds of suffering in His name , yet couldnt find the meaning and any proof of His being other than his faith while the Jof, barely talked of God but He still had visions of Holy Mary and could see things that were veiled from the eyes of others. just a carefree family. Who put The Knight at ease for a while despite being complete opposites. And Antonius wanted respite so he could commit a meaningful act and in the end, he indeed, did trick Death and let the Jof family escape , when Death says that noone can escape me , but Antonious smiles because he knocks off the chess board , keeps Death busy while Jof and his family finally flee. and idk this might sound dumb to you but this film was full of questions we forget to ask ourselves even though they're very significant. not necessarily answered ofc. And i dont think they'll ever be but they were sort of put out into the world to think about.

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

It's a yin and yang kind of thing. The Jof story arc is an inversion of the Knights fate. In the end, the Knight and all the other doomed people had forfeited their lives so that the others who truly deserved it could live.

[@jgrj52]

I love this movie. It's in my top 5 but I do understand why some people don't or won't like it. It's slow It's in black and white It's surreal but personally I love it

[@lauterunvollkommenheit4344]

"How do you beat death?" The answer to this question is in an interview Bergman gave Melvyn Bragg.

[@dumbhead1698]

Saw this movie back in 2015 when I first started getting into movies, I almost was forcing myself to watch it I was so uninterested. Giving it another shot now great video!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Thank you

[@ommodak2712]

Yes it's masterpiece

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes!

[@julianherrero9056]

At the time of the Black Death (1347-1351) there were no longer Crusades to recover the holy places, nor flagellant processions, nor were witches burned. Popular theater was limited to large religious performances and popular farces. These are some anachronisms of this film, but Bergman's idea is not to adjust to a very specific historical reality.

[@rekoken2911]

I felt like the other sections of the movie were off. Idk, maybe it was just the poor filming quality or the actor's performance but I really only enjoyed the bits with Antonius Block

[@clumsydad7158]

I went back and watched after not seeing in over 20 years, and of course like usual my memory was off and I forgot most of the movie. I did like it better than I recalled, but I too feel it's a bit uneven. However, I think the elements do hold together for a complex and provocative film.

[@paulmikael7955]

Thanks

[@user-mv6he6gl8m]

And still it's an entertaining and sometimes funny movie. That is quite a feat in itself:)

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes indeed!

[@HBxagingxbrain]

Great thank you. Stuff I missed 11:59

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome.

[@Adam-nk6ty]

Reminded me a lot of dostoyevsky. Esp with the actor - found parallels to alyosha from brothers karamazov and dostoyevsky himself in that to only overcome the absurdity is to have faith (ivan in comparison to alyosha, block compared to the actor) - and dostoyevsky who I believe stated in a letter that he would prefer to live in faith despite it being untrue than to live in the truth that we are without God - thus I agree with your comment at the end of illusion prevailing

[@clumsydad7158]

actually i was thinking brothers karamazov when I just watched Wild Strawberries, as the three bickering young people in the back seat of the car seemed like the faith believer, the sensualist, and the intellectual (if those are the 3, i always forget them slightly).

[@Bleep_Bloop_Destroy]

Great video, you mentioned going and doing more research before rewatching the movie, anywhere you would suggest we go?

[@LearningaboutMovies]

whew, a lot. the BFI put out a book in the 1990s on this, and I think it has a bibliography in it. Worth trying to get it through the library: 978-0851703916 Lots of philosophy to work through: Gabriel Marcel, Kierkegaard, Miguel Unamuno, etc. I am suggesting that the early 20th century and into the middle of it fed into "Seventh Seal."

[@psinno]

Should there be a Joseph in the family unit at the end?

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, that's the actor, whose name is Josef.

[@JRBeast-nw3xg]

I loved the religious nature of the story. Did a very amazing job at what it was conveying

[@DmSayr]

movie about dying of the plague. knight took it home and made his friends carry it. like masque of the red death, or possibly the fish?

[@swedishbloke]

As a swede I’m disappointed in myself that I haven’t seen any of Bergmans films, and especially since I’m Gutnish I’m really ashamed that I haven’t seen it since the majority of his films, especially the seventh seal, was recorded on Gotland

[@joakimlundgren7043]

What was the surreal horror movie Hour of the Wolf (Vargtimmen) about? Arty guy Johan Borg is haunted by previous mistress VeronicaVogler & a baron is also involved in the story.

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

Descent into madness.

[@scottishfilmhistorian]

Just finished watching this film - and I was surprised - I obviously knew about Death and the game of chess but I was clueless about pretty much everything else. I'm unsure if I am correct but were Jof, Mia and Mikael there to portray a kind of innocence while most of the other characters were guilty and thus deserving of their fate? I'm unsure but this was the feeling I got. However, I definitely felt that the mute girl, the "witch" and the Knight's wife were undeserving of this fate. However, this could be a sign that death is inherently unfair and comes for us all, regardless of our guilt or innocence. All in all, I loved this film but it definitely showed me that I don't know as much about film theory as I thought I did. Will have to watch it again.

[@MajSolo]

All I see in this movie is simple, simple people swept away by their time and by time itself. This movie is not manipulative just raw and .... it leaves the rest to the audience.

[@dondotta8304]

please watch "Pelle the conqueror" danish oscar winning movie from the 80's. Its hardcore and rugged... Masterpiece Also Max Von Sydow was in the leading role together with Pelle.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@hnorrstrom]

Yes that is a great movie!

[@Antrix1]

That is amazing movie, its masterpiecie...

[@ilonabaier6042]

It would be interestng to analyse Bergman's films using Carl Jung's archetypal analysis. Apropos the sea and water: these are femine, shaddowy and symbolise the unconscious. The going on land could be becoming more conscious. Positive developments of the people could be finding the "Self" and putting it above the "Ich". Art and artists would be the balance betweeen the opposing forces and the unconscious and conscious. This is all very bullet-pointed but perhaps it might be a springboard for insights.

[@clumsydad7158]

possibly, yes, and someone said all the characters may represent a Tarot card ... more mythic level stuff, etc.

[@filmscene21]

Another great explanation of a 'classic' film, but I stopped watching when the spoilers kicked in, as I've not seen it yet.😏 Good thing I spotted the 'spoilers' caption - a spoken heads-up for spoilers would be good next time.👍

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thanks, yes I have been inconsistent with how the spoiler alert comes across. Should mention it and flash it on the screen in words!

[@6oldfinch379]

I love this movie

[@JoeBesserfan]

This is required viewing.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

it really is, like it or not.

[@15MinutersFallen]

I can’t manage to wrap my head around the last scene, how does jof see the death dance but his wife can’t

[@janedoe5229]

Jof saw the Virgin and Child. Jof saw Death with the Knight, when the Knight pushed over the chessboard and saved his life. Jof could see the dance of the death. He could see the spiritual things.

[@grahambarton1942]

Exactly, Jof is a visionary and sees things others do not, which is established near the beginning of the film when he sees Mary and Jesus.

[@clk25120]

I watch this movie with a Buddhism perspective. It's spot on, in many of its narrative and theme.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

very interesting.

[@chrisneves1274]

Is this movie basically saying there is no God but death is real so enjoy the small things in life?

[@davgg9621]

@@chrisneves1274 I don't think that the film is saying that there is no god. But yes, death is inevitable so enjoy life while you can. For example Jof got religious visions during the film, but the only time he acts upon them is when he sees death playing with the knight. So now you could argue, "who is sending him those visions". But I don't know. Other thing is that neither the knight who believes in god nor the squire who doesnt believe in god can accept death at the end. Maybe the movie is just about what the painter said in the Church, "folks have to be remembered that they'll die"

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

I am always amused when "Death" is depicted as human. As if no other life dies.🤔 I admit though Sir Terry Pratchatt's depiction of Death is extremely likeable as is his grand daughter.😜

[@steakismeat177]

It is a bit slowly paced, but great overall

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@steakismeat177]

@@LearningaboutMovies and I don’t really need subtitles. Some parts are hard to understand, but not impossible.

[@Danish_Panja]

A journey to find god and beat death at the end our main character knows that if he wants to find god he must die first 😂

[@jericoba]

Which in itself is strange because people find God without dying.

[@artflowerslofi2676]

I subscribed.

[@vaccaphd]

Thousand books of philosophy in this movie.

[@Leverquin]

It is

[@muyholaamigo9928]

Its the most imprisve film I ever seen

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Thanks

[@Dancing-Spirits]

I would consider it one of the greatest if it wasn't one of the last igmar movies I've seen. Doesn't even appear in my top 5

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@Space-nb7dr]

HEYYY, Finally The Video i wait 😘

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you for waiting.

[@yuobuten]

Every character relate to a major arcana tarot card

[@monacojerry]

Let me remind you that the actors are on their way to Elsinore. Perhaps they will perform for Claudius and Hamlet. Not the happiest end for them.