Rating of
3.5/4
Is it really that good? Hmm, we'll see about that.
Indyfreak - wrote on 12/04/14
Admittedly, I can see why this oft-touted example of world cinema is so highly acclaimed. The cinematography, the symbolic imagery, the atmosphere, the acting is all top-notch stuff. Is it so worthy of its reputation? Well I've only seen it once thus far and I was pleased to have found it accessible for me to comprehend and surprisingly humorous despite the macabre subject matter of death and pestilence affecting a medieval community. Max Von Sydow gives a great performance as his weary protagonist interacts with characters like the worldly squire Jof, the oafish blacksmith Plog, the sly actor Skat, and the cunning figure of Death itself. The grimy and dank setting is effective at conveying the characters' collectively dismal prospects. Despite having so much going for it and usually delivering what it promises, it does lag from time to time and there are a couple scenes which I suppose were supposed to have a dramatic impact but fall flat instead. Overall, Ingmar Bergman's celebrated "The Seventh Seal" is a very good movie though it does have its disappointing moments.
