Feb. 16, 1957|Sweden|96 Min.|n/A
Genre: Drama;Fantasy
Description: The Seventh Seal, released in 1957, is a Swedish film that tells the story of a disillusioned knight, Antonius Block, and his cynical squire, Jöns, who return from the Crusades to find their homeland devastated by the plague. The knight encounters Death and challenges him to a chess match, believing that as long as the game continues, he can avoid his fate. The chess game becomes a recurring theme throughout the narrative.
During their journey, they meet a group of actors, including Jof, his wife Mia, their infant son Mikael, and the actor-manager Jonas Skat. Jof experiences a vision of Mary and the infant Jesus, which he shares with a skeptical Mia.
Antonius and Jöns visit a church where a fresco of the Danse Macabre is being painted. In the confessional, the knight expresses his desire to perform a meaningful act after leading what he now sees as a purposeless life. He shares a chess strategy that could save his life, only to realize he has been speaking to Death in disguise. Later, Block converses with a young woman condemned to die for allegedly consorting with the devil, but he discovers she is mentally unstable.
In a deserted village, Jöns rescues a mute servant girl from Raval, a theologian turned thief who once persuaded the knight to join the Crusades. The servant girl joins Jöns as they continue their journey. Meanwhile, Skat is lured away by Lisa, the wife of the blacksmith Plog. A performance by the actors is interrupted by a procession of flagellants, led by a preacher who delivers a fiery sermon to the townspeople.
The film explores themes of mortality, faith, and the search for meaning in a world gripped by chaos and despair.
Cast director: Ingmar Bergman
Cast actor: Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe, Bibi Andersson, Erik Strandmark, Maud Hansson, Gunnel Lindblom, Inga Landgré, Bertil Anderberg
Original name: Det sjunde inseglet