odj@pyuxhh.UUCP (07/24/83)
I saw "Fanny and Alexander" with a group of people in NYC. The movie, which is subtitled, is a superbly photographed work which expands on reality and dwells into the mystical and the magical. The performances in this film where outstanding and even though it runs for 3 hours and 10 minutes it keeps its audience enthralled. I highly recommend that this movie be seen.
welsch@houxu.UUCP (Larry Welsch) (02/25/84)
(To the eater of first lines) I saw Fanny and Alexander last night. The film is in my don't miss category. The film is long and there is not a whole lot of plot, yet it is so rich in photography, imagery, mysticism, contrasts and life, all beautifully directed that one wonders how Bergman packed it into 3 hours. The film, while focussed on Alexander, is about the Eckland family, whose oppulent, though loving lifestyle borders on the decadent. For example we have Uncle Carl, who shows the children some "fire works" by dropping his pants, running up and down the stairs to get some gas, and then blowing the lowdest farts that he can. The kids love it. The oppulence is contrasted against the starkness of the Bishop, who believes love can be demanded, that truth may be gotten by beating, and that deprivation is holy. And then we have Ishmael, who must be kept locked up, because he flows through all of us and though loved, must be kept under control lest he loose a pandora's box from within. The photography is beautiful. Bergman captures the joy of life. Yet it is the simples joys; an old woman with her old lover who will never marry, yet enjoy each other's company; the amours of a middle aged satyr, whose wife loves him including his cocksmanship despite his wandering lusts. She even loves and cares for his mistress, who receives a Christmas box. If you enjoy film, then see Fanny and Alexander. Larry Welsch houxu!welsch
skef@cmu-cs-spice.ARPA (Skef Wholey) (04/27/85)
From saab@abnji.UUCP (d. wilmot) Tue Apr 23 16:17:03 1985
Subject: fanny and alexander
I knew nothing about this film when I rented it, except the box said
it was by Bergmann (sp?). What a great film it was, but I got a couple
of questions. 1) I heard some rumors that alex was suppose to be a young
Bergmann, is it true? 2) What do you think the story was on the crazy(?)
kid in the locked room? (the son of the person who kidnapped kids back)
It seemed like these two kids used mind power to kill the bishop. or
do you think the wife and the sister (the mountain of flesh that had to be
fed) set up the bishop. 3) finally did the bishop cause the death of
first wife and kids in the cold water or did alex make it all up. Sorry
I cann't describe film more, but it was pretty bizarre for one time
though. But, boy was it a great film.
One "n" in Bergman. Yes, "Fanny and Alexander" is a great film. Answers to
your questions:
1. Bergman has denied again and again that this story is in any way
autobiographical. A minor character (an actor in the theater) is named
Bergman, according to the screenplay, but it's doubtful that means anything.
2. The screenplay (great reading -- I highly recommend it) makes it clear that
all of the supernatural events but one might be happening only in Alexander's
imagination. The one that is clearly a real life miracle occurs when the Jew
comes to take the kids away, and they appear as if they're still in their room.
3. The screenplay also makes it clear that Alexander made that story up, and
Fanny is smart enough to play along with him.
There are some big differences in the published screenplay and the final film,
but it's worth reading, and helps in understanding a number of points like
the above. And it's nice to get translation of all the dialog -- not just the
fraction that makes it into the subtitles. Of course, the film stands on its
own very well. I just saw it for the second time a few nights ago, and loved
every minute of it. I was surprised to see that the movie was 182 minutes
long!
--Skef
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