The Seventh Seal

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The Seventh Seal

Released Oct 13, 1956

1h 36m

Drama

Fantasy

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93%

Tomatometer

73 Reviews

93%

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25,000+ Ratings

When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block (Max von Sydow) returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death (Bengt Ekerot) to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof (Nils Poppe) and his wife, Mia (Bibi Andersson), and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.

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Critics Consensus

Narratively bold and visually striking, The Seventh Seal brought Ingmar Bergman to the world stage -- and remains every bit as compelling today.

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Jonas Mekas

Village Voice

Obsessed with the ideas of love, life, death, good and evil, [Bergman] mediates as he goes, taking in symbols, in parables and images that are often of breathtaking beauty.

Apr 20, 2022

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Guardian

You can hunt about in the history of the cinema and bring up a distant cousin or two for Bergman's great work. Yet, when all the delving is done, this film remains something quite distinct, a wonderful film which is not quite like any other.

Mar 21, 2018

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Elliott Stein

Village Voice

Bergman's visually striking medieval morality play [was] the work that gained him an international reputation.

Jul 23, 2013

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Claire Fulton

Loud and Clear Reviews

It’s a masterpiece of filmmaking from a master of the profession, and remains an impactful viewing experience even if you can’t tell a knight from a rook.

Rated: 5/5

Nov 7, 2024

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Like many of his greatest works, Bergman uses The Seventh Seal as an existentialist vehicle, exploring a landscape where God may have turned his back on humanity, leading to disillusionment, conflict and destruction.

Jan 23, 2024

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

A formidable film in which Bergman, with symbols and metaphors, builds a philosophical treatise that points out the impossibility of man to defeat death. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 8/10

Dec 13, 2023

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Pip S

It is considered one of Bergman's best films and not without reason.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

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Julian Rex M

An extremely atmospheric--if perverse--exploration of the consequences of questioning the assumed unquestionable, The Seventh Seal stands as one of the most enthralling and darkly enjoyable films of the twentieth century, guided to success by the masterful--if niché--Ingmar Bergman.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/30/24

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Tom F

This film earns its place on the list of essential viewing for students of film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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Luca D

Very reminiscent of a fairy tale story. Definitely has a more atheist undertone than his other movies as the squire reminds the knight how even if there is a god, he neither protects nor spares humans. Visually stunning and all of the acting is phenomenal. Probably in the top 3 Bergman films, I can see why it's his most famous.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

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Isa B

One of the absolute greatest motion pictures ever made by the maker of masterpieces. Ingmar Bergman was one of the top 2 or 3 greatest filmmakers to ever do it. I think of him as the most complete filmmaker of all time. He had a knack for making great films as he made so many. I have The Seventh Seal at #4 on my list. It is a great concept, well acted, well directed and such a brave piece to do back in the 1950s. The speculation regarding the origin of man and God vs. Atheism. Masterfully crafted. The Seventh Seal is a film that every cinefile must see. Check it out! 100/100 🏆

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

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Mix R

It's a very deep movie, with hidden symbolism, great quotes and capturing scenes of chess duel.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/29/24

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Ingmar Bergman

Director

Max von Sydow

Antonius Block

Gunnar Björnstrand

Jöns, squire

Nils Poppe

Jof

Bibi Andersson

Mia, Jof's wife

Bengt Ekerot

Death

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Synopsis

When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block (Max von Sydow) returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death (Bengt Ekerot) to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof (Nils Poppe) and his wife, Mia (Bibi Andersson), and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.

Director: Ingmar Bergman
Producer: Allan Ekelund
Screenwriter: Ingmar Bergman
Distributor: Janus Films, Criterion Collection, Embassy Pictures
Production Co: Svensk Filmindustri
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: Swedish
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 29, 2011
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Mono

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