Starring Max von Sydow, Bengt Ekerot, Gunnar Björnstrand and Nils Poppe
A knight returning home from ten years of fighting in the crusades is greeted by Death, who has come to take him. He barters with the dark figure to play chess, in order to seek answers about life, death and the existence of God.
With it's dark themes and faith questioning protagonist, this film is definitely not one that could have ever been made in the United States at the time it was produced. Asking questions and seeking the answers that we all struggle with at some point in our lives, "The Seventh Seal" is a film we can all related to.
Arguably the most artistic film to come out of the 50s, this Swedish picture explores existentialism and does not give you a second to believe it's anything other than that. From the beginning, the imagery of a man playing chess on a beach with Death sets the tone for the rest of the movie immediately. And for that, it has become one of the most famous images in cinema history.
With thought provoking dialogue, backed with some of the best performances of it's decade, it is easy to see why "The Seventh Seal" has become such a renowned classic. While the techniques and technology used to make this remarkable film have become outdated, the themes are timeless and will never lose their relevancy. This movie is certainly not for everyone. But if you consider yourself a film buff, you have to see it. You may love it or you may hate it. But at least you will have an educated opinion on such a classic film.
My Rating: 7.3/10
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