The Seventh Seal was the most visually impressive movie we have watched so far (Yea I said it!). The camera work is flawless because, as Mr. Bennett mentioned, Bergman manages to make the camera "disappear" so that the audience is no longer focused on it. The plot is also easy to follow yet full of symbolism and deeper meanings. The entire chess game is not to be taken literally of course; it is showing the struggle of preventing ones inevitable death, which is quite hopeless in the end, as Bergman makes clear. I think my only criticism of the film would be Bergman's view of not thinking to much about God and existence in general (as shown through the character of Jof). I feel that it is only natural for everyone to be curious about their being. I know that personally I ponder these things quite frequently so maybe I just personally can't see how someone could be able to keep it out of their mind regardless of their personal beliefs.
I also wanted to mention a parallel between The Seventh Seal and All Quite On the Western Front (Mr. B had told us to watch for them early in the film and unfortunately I forgot to bring it up). In one of the earlier scenes Block is shown growing more and more excited about his game with death. He is depressed when that particular scene starts and he is confessing to death who he mistakes for a priest. After his short encounter with death, he fells fully alive and with a smile on his face he declares, "I, Antonius Block, am playing chess with death!" A similar scene happens in A.Q.O.T.W.F. when Paul visits his dying friend in the hospital. Paul runs from the hospital and is also filled with a sort of artificial joy and energy. He can't seem to understand why he feels so full of life after his encounter with death. Both of the characters share this same odd experience in two very different movies.
I also had just one question about the movie. Block helps Jof and his wife escape while he distracts death by knocking the pieces over. Death is only after Block's life right? So after Block helps these people escape he then rejoins his other friends as they have dinner at their house. So if Block knew death was following him why would he help people escape death only to lead death back to his other friends. Maybe this is not meant to be questioned and is not really important but it just seems odd to me. I also was absent Monday and missed a significant middle part of the movie so its possible I missed something that would answer my question. Ideas please...
Good question. I can think of two answers. The first is that Block advises Jof to travel through the forest with him. So, maybe he felt responsible. The others came uninvited. Second, they are innocent, while the other characters, somehow, are not. Third, he sees that Jof has detected Death and is trying to flee. Perhaps he was just trying to save anyone he could save. But, finally, you have answered it best. There is no answer. The film is metaphorical. And this is the way it played out.
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