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The Seventh Seal Reviews

1957

70
from 10,532 members

Antonius Block (Max Von Sydow), a knight, returns from a 10-year crusade with his squire, Jons (Gunnar Bjornstrand), to find his homeland ravaged by the plague. When the black-cloaked figure of Death (Bengt Ekerot) appears to claim them, Block, whose war experiences have left him cynical about the existence of God and the .. Read more

Starring	Max von Sydow, Bibi Andersson, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Gunnel Lindblom
Director	Ingmar Bergman, Ingmar Bergman
Genres	Drama, World Cinema

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Critic's review of The Seventh Seal
View all critics' reviews (4)
- A modestly budgeted minor classic which, because of its international success and its famous shots, is seldom analysed in detail. It is kept going by its splendid cinematic feel and its atmosphere is that of a dark world irrationally sustained by religion
- 30875
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
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Most helpful member's review of The Seventh Seal
View all members' reviews (96)
- - 49
  - 4
  A true classic and a ripping yarn to boot
  
  If you've ever thought that Bergman wasn't for you - too intellectual, too grim, too miserable, too.... whatever- think again!
  
  This film ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 303262
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - simonautomatic
  - London
  - 05 May 2004 at 17:31
Most recent members' reviews of The Seventh Seal
View all members' reviews (96)
- - 0
  - 0
  Great film about Death!
  
  Ingemar Bergman captures the essence of life, death, religion and purpose of life in a deep but yet entertaining movie.
  
  Report this review
- 1093241
- - a customer
  - 16 Feb 2012 at 22:00
- - 0
  - 0
  A Must Watch!
  
  This is stunning, makes modern films look cheap and badly thought out. The lighting is beautiful and the direction is first class.
  
  Report this review
- 1090291
- - GraysterChuck
  - 2 reviews
  - 08 Feb 2012 at 22:17
- - 0
  - 0
  Stupendous imagery, dark but enthralling
  
  The iconic image of Bergman's: Death playing chess against a Knight. A Knight recently returned from the crusades. Hell, why not make a film about the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1088337
- - RichPickings
  - 150 reviews
  - 'kin Bruges
  - 03 Feb 2012 at 14:18
- - 0
  - 0
  Surreal and engaging.
  
  A most unusual film. Surreal landscapes and surreal characters. I found this film truely weird and wonderful. A little dated but the message is there.
  
  Report this review
- 1018794
- - a customer
  - 18 Jul 2011 at 14:18
- - 0
  - 0
  A quest for the meaning of life
  
  Holy war and the black death bring Christianity's promises and warnings down to earth. Humanity's follies mingle with the divine.
  
  The ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1018684
- - a customer
  - Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England
  - 18 Jul 2011 at 10:36
- - 1
  - 0
  not for the faint-minded
  
  The greatness of this movie is 'exaggerated' not by the storyline or dialogue, but what it incites the viewer to wonder about. Something not found in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1017897
- - a2ed
  - 30 reviews
  - UK
  - 16 Jul 2011 at 14:12
- - 0
  - 0
  It's Just Human Nature
  
  This is the first Ingmar Bergman film and like many from my generation grew up with Bill and Ted!! Best 3 out of 5!!
  
  It takes a while to get going ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1011725
- - a customer
  - 30 Jun 2011 at 23:33
- - 0
  - 1
  The Seventh Snail
  
  The scenes with Antonious Block playing chess with Death were no doubt groundbreaking in the film's day, and remain iconic in the history of cinema, but the... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1000310
- - Robinski
  - 142 reviews
  - Glasgow
  - 04 Jun 2011 at 11:30
- - 0
  - 0
  Silence in Heaven
  
  'The Seventh Seal' is a multi-layered film about a journey from Life to Death. There is much of the mummers' play about it which suits its medieval ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 996640
- - droog
  - 25 reviews
  - Lingfield,Surrey
  - 24 May 2011 at 22:54
- - 0
  - 0
  Don't fear the reaper
  
  A knight and his squire return from the crusades to find the land ravaged by plague, fear and cruelty. They end up escorting a small group of people through the... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 982666
- - Oldbloke
  - 239 reviews
  - Sidmouth
  - 15 Apr 2011 at 00:43
View all members' reviews (96)

- - 49
  - 4
  A true classic and a ripping yarn to boot
  
  If you've ever thought that Bergman wasn't for you - too intellectual, too grim, too miserable, too.... whatever- think again!
  
  This film ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 303262
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - simonautomatic
  - London
  - 05 May 2004 at 17:31
- - 26
  - 9
  trash
  
  utter rubbish in every way, not worth the time to view, stay away in your droves
  
  Report this review
- 479678
- - a customer
  - northampton
  - 26 Sep 2007 at 14:16
- - 21
  - 1
  A great film but now showing its age
  
  A medieval knight returning from the crusades finds a country troubled by the plague and challenges death to a play of chess in this astonishing work of ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 2838
- - ThomasKus
  - 143 reviews
  - Gloucester
  - 04 Mar 2004 at 14:14
- - 16
  - 1
  Moody, dark, and intensely philosophical
  
  This is a visually stunning, moody, dark, and intensely philosophical tale. The theme of the existence of God threads through the sometimes depressing but ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 307929
- - DrDave
  - Cambridgeshire
  - 19 Aug 2004 at 15:16
- - 23
  - 17
  Norweigan Classic
  
  Black & White film, story line may be too slow for some viewers.
  
  Film gives an interesting insight into Norweigan life of that era.
  
  Report this review
- 311642
- - Shazsie
  - London
  - 18 Oct 2004 at 09:27
- - 15
  - 4
  For "Arty-Farty" types only.
  
  Pretentious, switched off after half an hour.
  
  Report this review
- 604564
- - Markkus
  - 15 reviews
  - Glasgow
  - 28 Jul 2008 at 12:16
- - 11
  - 0
  Death in Sweden
  
  The write up for the film on this site is actually rather good, so if you like what you read then go for the rental. What that review fails to mention is that ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 45216
- - Zamy
  - 552 reviews
  - London
  - 27 Aug 2004 at 14:55
- - 12
  - 8
  Not one to raise a smile
  
  If you thought Bergman was too grim and miserable for you, then you'd probably be right.
  
  Death visits a war-weary knight returning from a decade ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 304956
- - YouAreTheOne
  - Hants
  - 14 Jun 2004 at 10:43
- - 10
  - 6
  This was awful
  
  Even for a subtitled movie (no idea why i rented it) it was brutal and nasty and why the producer reckoned 'every human should watch it', is quite ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 572303
- - a customer
  - Maidstone, England
  - 04 Jun 2008 at 09:22
- - 8
  - 1
  Prepare to be surprised
  
  If you have any preconceptions in mind before watching this film then my advice is to get rid of them now. I had plenty, but The Seventh Seal wasn't what I... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 311470
- - pmattt
  - Derbyshire
  - 15 Oct 2004 at 12:34

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Critics' reviews
- A modestly budgeted minor classic which, because of its international success and its famous shots, is seldom analysed in detail. It is kept going by its splendid cinematic feel and its atmosphere is that of a dark world irrationally sustained by religion
- 30875
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
- Bergman's portentous medieval allegory takes its title from the Book of Revelations - 'And when he (the Lamb) opened... read more on Time Out
- 44074
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:14
- Bergman's early masterpiece about a 14th century chess game with Death
- 39200
- - USA Today
  - 08 Oct 2007 at 15:11
- Its metaphysical themes still retain their power
- 39199
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 08 Oct 2007 at 15:11

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- The Seventh Seal - Blu-ray
  
  Antonius Block (Max Von Sydow), a knight, returns from a 10-year crusade with his squire, Jons (Gunnar Bjornstrand), to find his homeland ravaged by the plague. When the black-cloaked figure of Death (Bengt Ekerot) appears to claim them, Block, whose war experiences have left him cynical about the ...

- - Buy
- The Seventh Seal
  
  Antonius Block (Max Von Sydow), a knight, returns from a 10-year crusade with his squire, Jons (Gunnar Bjornstrand), to find his homeland ravaged by the plague. When the black-cloaked figure of Death (Bengt Ekerot) appears to claim them, Block, whose war experiences have left him cynical about the ...