Upon receiving Criterion’s brand new special edition of Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal I had just finished watching his film trilogy (Through a Glass Darkly, Winter Light and The Silence) and there couldn’t have been a more appropriate time to do so. Of the three films in Bergman’s trilogy, Winter Light is not only the best, it is a perfect companion piece to The Seventh Seal. Made five years after The Seventh Seal, Winter Light also touches on the “silence of God,” but where these two films differ is in their outcome. While both are asking questions, Winter Light offers far more answers than The Seventh Seal, but where Winter Light finds answers and The Seventh Seal does not is exactly where both films find their charm.
Criterion initially released The Seventh Seal in 1999 with only an audio commentary by Bergman expert Peter Cowie, the theatrical trailer and what was referred to as an “Illustrated Bergman Filmography.” This special edition takes it to the next level along with an absolutely stunning high-definition transfer of the film that is absolutely unparalleled.
The Seventh Seal was released in 1956 and comes as a result of Bergman’s interpretation of Albertus Pictor’s painting of Death playing chess with a knight found in an Uppland church. Returning home from the Crusades a knight, Antonius Block (Max von Sydow), is confronted by Death on a beach inhabited only by him and his squire Jöns (Gunnar Björnstrand). It is here we see the iconic shot of Death and the knight playing chess before we are thrown back into reality as Antonius and Jöns make their way back home with Death always at their side.
Since first seeing Bergman’s Seventh Seal I became an instant fan. Whenever a film questions religious viewpoints while showing both sides of the argument and allowing the possibility of any outcome to come as a result makes for a powerful story. Despite the death march that is The Seventh Seal I believe it is filled with hope and faith, both of which add to the meaning of it all, especially with the ultimate outcome as the final dance of death is seen by Jof (Nils Poppe) on the hillside.
Criterion has outdone themselves with this new special edition, which is being released on single disc Blu-ray as well as a two-disc DVD. As I mentioned earlier, the Peter Cowie audio commentary has been transferred over and while I never watched the original “Illustrated Bergman Filmography” on the original disc when I rented it, I am assuming the 35 minute Cowie led feature titled “Bergman 101” on this latest release is either the same feature or an updated one as descriptions of the original I have seen around the Internet seem to match up. However, this Blu-ray offers much, much more than just that.
First off, this transfer is absolutely immaculate. This is something of a regular statement when it comes to Blu-ray releases, Criterion’s releases in particular, but in this case we are talking about a 42-year-old film that doesn’t appear to have a single flaw. The visual presentation of The Seventh Seal is extraordinarily important and as you see it on this Blu-ray I don’t believe it could be improved upon.
Features that were not included on the original release include an audio-only interview with star Max Von Sydow, a new 10 minute afterword from Cowie, the theatrical trailer and a rather hard-to-hear English-dubbed soundtrack I would recommend you skip outright.
Next comes a great seven minute featurette called “Beneath the Surface” that director and Bergman fan Woody Allen did for Turner Classic Movies in 1989. Along with looking at several of Bergman’s films and talking about each Allen declares Bergman as the “greatest film artist since the invention of the motion picture camera.” Obviously Allen is a fan and it shows in this short, but informative, feature.
From describing Smiles of a Summer Night as the film that marked a turning point in his career to discussing The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, Through a Glass Darkly, Persona, Saraband, Scenes from a Marriage and The Magic Flute, this doc leaves no stone unturned and there are moments you believe he may actually breakdown and start crying. It is touching and masterfully told and comes as a feature on the Criterion Blu-ray edition, but is sold separately on DVD as it is not available on the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD of The Seventh Seal. The only thing Blu-ray owners won’t be getting is the written remembrance by filmmaker Nyreröd that comes with the DVD edition of “Bergman’s Island,” but no worries, you can read it online at Criterion right here.
On top of “Bergman Island” there is also a short introduction to The Seventh Seal by Bergman himself, which was recorded separately for Swedish television by Nyreröd from Bergman’s screening room on FÃ¥rö.
The Blu-ray edition does come with a 24-page booklet of its own, though, featuring an essay by critic Gary Giddins titled “There Go the Clowns,” which is also online at Criterion right here, and comes included with the Blu-ray and DVD editions of The Seventh Seal and it is a great read.
If you couldn’t tell by now, this film is a must buy for any film fan. I can’t imagine anyone not being able to find enjoyment or absolute enthrallment in The Seventh Seal. I believe it is one of Bergman’s most accessible films and is sure to fascinate people and get them interested in more of his work, especially thanks to the fantastic special features Criterion has included here. Bergman is an exquisite filmmaker and this is truly one of his gems.
