Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site tekecs.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!orca!tekecs!waltt From: waltt@tekecs.UUCP (Walt Tucker) Newsgroups: net.movies Subject: Re: The Seventh Seal Message-ID: <4159@tekecs.UUCP> Date: Sat, 10-Nov-84 16:22:29 EST Article-I.D.: tekecs.4159 Posted: Sat Nov 10 16:22:29 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 11-Nov-84 21:00:50 EST Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR Lines: 54 ---------------------- Ah, yes. A classic. One of the few Bergman films I've seen and actually liked. There are many layers of symbolism in "The Seventh Seal." Here are a few I caught the last time I saw the movie: The only people of Block's party that escape Death happen to be Mary, Joseph, and a baby (note the biblical implications). This symbolism is tied into earlier in the film when Joseph has a vision of the Virgin Mary, whom he tells his wife about. Throughout the film, Bergman seems to be poking fun at religion. Besides the satirical part just mentioned, Bergman has Block's main obsession in the film as the doubting of religion as a quest to find the truth. In the same vien, Death becomes a priest as he listens to Block's confession. Another similar poke at religion is when the Squire Jons catches a priest stealing a bracelet and about to rape a girl. Or, the squire's discussion with the painter when he talks of "laying with women" and a few other unrighteous things they did while in the holy land. As we know historically, the actual crusades were not performed according to the ideals they represented, but Bergman never gives religion much of a chance in this film, and never presents it favorably. Other symbolism: The film begins and ends near a sea (the sea representing the beginning and end of life). The scenes of Mary and Joseph outside the wagon are always brillantly lit (symbolizing new hope?) Here's some more stuff. What about the various representations of death: Death personified, death depicted in paintings, skulls on posts, skulls as masks, funerals, speeches about death, etc? What's with the preoccupation with death (beyond the story line)? It all boils down to Bergman makes some pretty weird and off the wall films. He usually loads these films with so many layers of symbolism that you can find about any hidden meaning in the film you like. For example, I've heard some people say that "The Seventh Seal" was a statement about nuclear war, and they have gone ahead and backed it up with examples from the film. I happen to like "Seventh Seal", but if you really want to see a strange Bergman film, try "Persona." Try and figure that one out. ----------------------------------------------- You may be right, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for, -- Walt Tucker Tektronix, Inc.