The Films of Ingmar Bergman

[staahsha]

This is a thread for fans or curious only, no haters. Let's talk about your favorite Bergman film and why it's your favorite. Mine is Cries and Whispers. It changed the way I looked at film as an art form. It's about painful, fearful death, jealousy and resentment among sisters, the horrors of some marriages. Each shot is composed like a painting. The lighting and use of the color red is breath-taking. As a friend of mine said, it is '"soul crushing." And, for me, it it life affirming, authentic and true.

[BiffWorld]

I have several favorite Bergman films, but perhaps my favorite film of all time is "Fanny and Alexander". Beautifully shot and realized from beginning to end. I think its one of the best films ever made about what it means to be part of a family, both good and bad. Other favorites are Persona and The Seventh Seal, both really terrific. Loved Cries and Whispers, too. Netflix also carries a very interesting documentary about the making of Fanny and Alexander- actual footage of his directing and blocking scenes from the film. Scenes from a Marriage was technically television, but its Liv Ullman in top form and I found it very intriguing.

[staahsha]

Hi Biffworld, love reading your comments, here. Definitely going to q that doc you mention. Liv Ullman is marvelous, I agree. Bergman's films tend to have great roles for really strong women, one of the things I love about him and was a great discovery once I found him.

[Kristyn]

Hehehehehehe. Well, I still have your list of the ones I should watch. Still thinking about it.

[staahsha]

Hi Kristyn! Chuckle. Well, looking forward to seeing what you think!

[Paul Cracklin]

hi hi hi. Well, Stash, you already know my favorite Bergman film is Winter Light, but I've seen hardly a fraction of his works. Also, not sure if anyone else does, but I enjoy the Criterion Collection extras - usually provides some insight into the symbolism and other interesting tidbits.

[staahsha]

Paul, you are so right, I have learned so much about film from Criterion, I think they are wonderful.

[mighty]

Paul, I would have to say check ou wild strawberries. Definately the movie that made me want to see more Bergman.

Seventh Seal- I gave 4 stars and feel it is an overrated Bergman film. Really there are some cringe worthy moments.

[Paul Cracklin]

yeah, that's another one i have to see.

4 stars is pretty generous for cringe-inducing, overrated film, no?

[mighty]

I do apologize for not responding earlier.

When it transitions from the meeting with death and focuses on the first scene with the traveling side show it goes to comedy and very different from the beginning tone. A distraction for me.

[staahsha]

that is very true, thanks for pointing that out, Mighty. Good to see you! I plan to post here more when I'm feeling better, which will be soon! I understand completely!

[John]

I could blather on and on about Bergman's genius all day long. I started with Seventh Seal and it opened my eyes. Then I caught Wild Strawberries and Winter Light. They knocked me flat.

Put it this way... the only Bergman film that I've seen that I would describe as "bad" is The Serpent's Egg, and even that has a lot more to do with David Carradine than it does with the artistic direction of the movie.

[staahsha]

I've read about the Serpent's Egg in Bergmans' autobiography, it pained him very much but even he knew it was bad. I haven't seen it yet, but will one day just because. Glad you're here, John!