eduardo@dartvax.UUCP (Eduardo Hernandez) (11/07/84)
I saw this movie last winter here at the college. I think it was directed by Ingar Bergman but then again i'm pretty naive. I was hoping someone out there could help me figure out the deeper meanings of the movie (BTW I really loved the chess plot w/ Death and the knight) Thanks. -- Eduardo Hernandez '87 eduardo@dartvax.UUCP Hinman Box 1038 Hanover, NH 03755 (603)643-7229
waltt@tekecs.UUCP (Walt Tucker) (11/11/84)
----------------------
Ah, yes. A classic. One of the few Bergman films I've seen and actually
liked.
There are many layers of symbolism in "The Seventh Seal." Here are a few
I caught the last time I saw the movie:
The only people of Block's party that escape Death happen to be Mary, Joseph,
and a baby (note the biblical implications). This symbolism is tied into
earlier in the film when Joseph has a vision of the Virgin Mary, whom he
tells his wife about.
Throughout the film, Bergman seems to be poking fun at religion. Besides
the satirical part just mentioned, Bergman has Block's main obsession in the
film as the doubting of religion as a quest to find the truth. In the same
vien, Death becomes a priest as he listens to Block's confession. Another
similar poke at religion is when the Squire Jons catches a priest stealing a
bracelet and about to rape a girl. Or, the squire's discussion with the
painter when he talks of "laying with women" and a few other unrighteous things
they did while in the holy land. As we know historically, the actual crusades
were not performed according to the ideals they represented, but Bergman never
gives religion much of a chance in this film, and never presents it favorably.
Other symbolism:
The film begins and ends near a sea (the sea representing the beginning and
end of life).
The scenes of Mary and Joseph outside the wagon are always brillantly lit
(symbolizing new hope?)
Here's some more stuff. What about the various representations of death:
Death personified, death depicted in paintings, skulls on posts, skulls as
masks, funerals, speeches about death, etc? What's with the preoccupation
with death (beyond the story line)?
It all boils down to Bergman makes some pretty weird and off the wall films.
He usually loads these films with so many layers of symbolism that you can
find about any hidden meaning in the film you like. For example, I've heard
some people say that "The Seventh Seal" was a statement about nuclear war,
and they have gone ahead and backed it up with examples from the film.
I happen to like "Seventh Seal", but if you really want to see a strange
Bergman film, try "Persona." Try and figure that one out.
-----------------------------------------------
You may be right,
but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for,
-- Walt Tucker
Tektronix, Inc.rwl@uvacs.UUCP (Ray Lubinsky) (11/13/84)
> Ah, yes. A classic. One of the few Bergman films I've seen and actually > liked. > ... > -- Walt Tucker > Tektronix, Inc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Which of Bergman's films have you not seen and liked? :-)