Those are coming up soon in my Bergman box. I haven't seen them in about 15 years, but I remember them all being brutally bleak.
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Friday, 20 September 2019 02:28 (four years ago) link
they all seem to be focused on the acknowledgement of the silence of god, and the choices that the characters then have about how to live their lives: Through a Glass Darkly ultimately concluding that god is love amid the scenes of hopelessness; Winter Light, in which rational discussions of love for and belief in god and belief in human relationships reveal them to be problematic, with some hope ultimately offered for faith; The Silence, even further diminishing our confidence in faith but also maybe elevating it, offering of a huge ray of light with the character of Johan1
― Dan S, Friday, 20 September 2019 02:45 (four years ago) link
Ended up skipping over Persona, Hour of the Wolf, The Passion of Anna, and Cries and Whispers for the moment and watching Scenes from a Marriage, the theatrical version. The first time I saw it was as a teenager. It feels now like it was of its time, in a good way
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 October 2019 00:47 (four years ago) link
Gotta do the long version, it's so good
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Saturday, 5 October 2019 00:49 (four years ago) link
thinking I should, maybe will wait until I work my way through the rest of his films though. It does bring up for me the question of whether to watch the mini-series version or theatrical version of Fanny and Alexander
seeing this again a lot of its appeal is in the attractiveness of the two main characters, and I can now better relate to their worry about the reality of love, about the possibility of not having loved or been loved enough
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 October 2019 00:57 (four years ago) link
It definitely hit me harder on my recent viewing than the previous one some 15 years ago. A big part of it is just their wonderful acting and all the long, long takes.
I prefer the theatrical F&A, it flows better, but both are worth watching.
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Saturday, 5 October 2019 01:13 (four years ago) link
I probably say it a couple times a year on this board, but you NEED to watch the full cut of F&A.
― Maria Edgelord (cryptosicko), Saturday, 5 October 2019 01:46 (four years ago) link
criterion channel does have both
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 October 2019 01:52 (four years ago) link
really looking forward to seeing Persona again
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 October 2019 02:24 (four years ago) link
Cries and Whisper is intense, it feels like a culmination of his surreal psychosexual dramas
― Dan S, Tuesday, 29 October 2019 01:10 (four years ago) link
I like Ebert’s description that the camera darts and falls back as if stunned, then in other scenes doesn’t look away when you want it to, focusing on the close-up with extreme impassivity
― Dan S, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 04:27 (four years ago) link
not sure what I think of Face to Face as a film, but Liv Ullmann is an incredible force in it
“love surrounds everything, even death” is a good resolution
― Dan S, Thursday, 7 November 2019 01:21 (four years ago) link
it is kind of amazing that he allows dream scenes to take over big segments of his films
― Dan S, Thursday, 7 November 2019 02:07 (four years ago) link
Face to Face is second tier Bergman. I have trouble remembering it beyond Ullmann reaction shots (as ever).
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 7 November 2019 02:20 (four years ago) link
it feels like a lot of his characters even if they are tragic are willing/trying to support others
I love that about his films
― Dan S, Thursday, 7 November 2019 02:29 (four years ago) link
The Serpent's Egg definitely seems like lesser Bergman
― Dan S, Tuesday, 19 November 2019 00:07 (four years ago) link
It's the one film of his I couldn't be bothered to finish.
― Cornelius Fondue (Matt #2), Tuesday, 19 November 2019 01:09 (four years ago) link
Wild Strawberries is still my favorite of all of Bergman’s films. It is expansive and kind-hearted. It worries about the regrets we all have over the instances of rejection and distance that take place in the course of our lives but in the end it understands that compassion overrides everything. It is amazing that he made this when he was 39 years old
― Dan S, Tuesday, 19 November 2019 02:28 (four years ago) link
I've realized I've been wrong about Autumn Sonata because I've denied how closely it cuts to the bone. I know way too many mothers and daughters in this same cycle of rage and affection.
― recriminations from the nitpicking woke (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, June 4, 2019
There has always been praise for Ingrid Bergman in Autumn Sonata, but seeing it now Liv Ullmann’s performance seems as great. They are both particularly good in their scenes with each other
― Dan S, Monday, 25 November 2019 00:25 (four years ago) link
Pretty surprised by Dreams, a masterpiece by anyone else. I know Godard was a big fan (he either reviewed it in full or in passing, but he cited it a lot in his early criticism), anyway I'm pretty sure he lifted the opening shot of Alphaville from the train sequence in Dreams. Solidly second tier Bergman imo—a movie that lingers like a dream and feels just as elusive and emotionally obscure.
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 3 December 2019 05:15 (four years ago) link
Dreams is one of the Bergman films I’ve missed, along with Sawdust and Tinsel
― Dan S, Monday, 9 December 2019 23:50 (four years ago) link
The first half of Fanny and Alexander is lovely and heartwarming, even when the events progress into sadness. The increasing cruelty of life in the Vergérus household in the second half is distressing but is made endurable because of Alexander’s optimism and bravery, and because the story is eventually overtaken by mystical events and by the return of Emilie, Fanny, and Alexander to the family
― Dan S, Tuesday, 10 December 2019 00:58 (four years ago) link
Dreams doesn't appear to be streaming or on US disc
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 10 December 2019 02:17 (four years ago) link
It's in the big ol' box
― Simon H., Tuesday, 10 December 2019 02:21 (four years ago) link
(aside from a massive Criterion IB collection, that is -- no stand-alone) xp
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 10 December 2019 02:25 (four years ago) link
Dreams is on the Criterion Channel, as is Sawdust and Tinsel, I'm looking forward to seeing them
― Dan S, Tuesday, 10 December 2019 02:31 (four years ago) link
The Devil's Eye is much better than his later attempt at comedy All These Women. not great, but very good
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 10 December 2019 02:33 (four years ago) link
I wonder what he made of his daughter Anna's acting career?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bergman
Bergman mostly appeared as a performer in several British sex comedies during the late 1970s including the title role in Penelope Pulls It Off (1975), Adventures of a Taxi Driver (1976), Intimate Games (1976), Come Play with Me (1977) and What's Up Superdoc! (1978)
― AMM stands for Axe-Murdering Motherfuckers (Matt #2), Saturday, 14 December 2019 12:05 (four years ago) link
"Anna Bergman's films utterly depressing" -- Ingmar Bergman
― I've Got A Ron Wood Solo Album To Listen To (Tom D.), Saturday, 14 December 2019 12:06 (four years ago) link
"as told to an ILX reporter."
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 14 December 2019 12:08 (four years ago) link
"Shut UP, dad!"
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81bTOhaRUZL._SL1500_.jpg
― AMM stands for Axe-Murdering Motherfuckers (Matt #2), Saturday, 14 December 2019 12:18 (four years ago) link
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
So I finally knuckled down and watched The Seventh Seal. This film is such a piece of world cultural heritage it's really beyond criticism. But the above quote couldn't be more poignant, given the fires in Australia and Brazil, and other prominent climate changes. I suppose I really ought to take this to a politics thread.
― Life is a banquet and my invitation was lost in the mail (j.lu), Wednesday, 8 January 2020 15:11 (four years ago) link
Starting scenes from a marriage , my first bergman
― calstars, Sunday, 12 September 2021 02:05 (two years ago) link
was my first bergman too
― Dan S, Sunday, 12 September 2021 02:14 (two years ago) link
Theatrical or mini-series version?
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Sunday, 12 September 2021 03:35 (two years ago) link
TV version of course
― calstars, Sunday, 12 September 2021 08:25 (two years ago) link
Are you watching his films in descending order of length? Fanny and Alexander next then.
― john landis as man being smashed into window (uncredited) (Matt #2), Sunday, 12 September 2021 08:27 (two years ago) link
I was going to ask what to watch next …
― calstars, Sunday, 12 September 2021 12:12 (two years ago) link
Here’s my review 2/3 way throughFirst third strong, delicious writing Second third weaker. Where are the daughters?
― calstars, Sunday, 12 September 2021 21:38 (two years ago) link
I watched The Magic Flute today, found it hard to stay engaged with but was pleasant background
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Sunday, 12 September 2021 23:15 (two years ago) link
Second third weaker. Where are the daughters?
Otm.
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 12 September 2021 23:22 (two years ago) link
i'm three episodes into the HBO scenes from a marriage remake, and i like how the daughter is actually a presence in the story, as opposed to being completely ignored in the original. not finding much interesting about it beyond that, though
― nobody like my rap (One Eye Open), Wednesday, 20 October 2021 17:31 (two years ago) link
Bergman Island begins as a droll, faintly precious Hong Sang-soo flick before going in an unexpected, delightful direction. Mia Hansen-Løve wrote and directed.
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 20 October 2021 21:04 (two years ago) link
Pulled Dreams out of the box last night and really enjoyed it, as good as his early/"second tier" stuff gets. But I will always remember it for the little button at the end of Eva Dahlbeck's last scene with her lover, which got a huge LOL from me, maybe the single best joke in his filmography imho.
― nobody like my rap (One Eye Open), Wednesday, 2 February 2022 13:50 (two years ago) link
I like the film a lot, can't remember the joke
― Josefa, Wednesday, 2 February 2022 16:01 (two years ago) link
Just a perfectly staged & timed black-comic gag after an intense dramatic scene. (Hope I got the spoiler tag right bc I dont want to ruin it for folks.)
http://i.imgur.com/cAIEp5U.jpg
― nobody like my rap (One Eye Open), Wednesday, 2 February 2022 16:15 (two years ago) link
Ah, thanks!
― Josefa, Wednesday, 2 February 2022 16:18 (two years ago) link
to me the miniseries is just the guy from Star Wars and the lady from zero dark thirty having relationship problems no thanks
― calstars, Sunday, 6 February 2022 15:48 (two years ago) link
Damn I do want to catch the reissue of Cries and Whispers.
― xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 13 April 2022 13:00 (two years ago) link
The new BFI trailer for it is excellent, but really pushes the horror movie angle (which of course it is and isn't, like so many Bergmans):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pbh0oTQXmE
― Ward Fowler, Wednesday, 13 April 2022 13:05 (two years ago) link