The Criterion Collection

[GunRanger]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

I finally watchd my Criterion The Seventh Seal. While the picture and audio were fantastic, does anyone else find the movie to be an insufferable bore. I cannot understand what is so special about it other than the exquisite cinematography.

I agree with you. The only scene that I thought was great was the march with the chants. It wasted a great concept.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Why on earth did you buy it, then?

it was maybe a blind buy?

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

I finally watched my Criterion The Seventh Seal. While the picture and audio were fantastic, does anyone else find the movie to be an insufferable bore. I cannot understand what is so special about it other than the exquisite cinematography.

I sure hope that "The Seventh Seal" wasn't the first Bergman film that you've watched. I would never suggest it as a first foray into Ingmar Bergman territory. I've watched 28 of Bergman's films and "The Seventh Seal" is far from my favorite. I'd say it's an "important" film in the realm of cinema, but not one of Bergman's best. If you're restricted to US releases, I would say watch "Sawdust & Tinsel" first.

CC

[Strevlac]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

I finally watchd my Criterion The Seventh Seal. While the picture and audio were fantastic, does anyone else find the movie to be an insufferable bore. I cannot understand what is so special about it other than the exquisite cinematography.

I think it's a great movie but I also think Bergman went on to do much better work. I hope it doesn't stop you from delving further. The Virgin Spring is probably a good one for the uninitiated.

[majorkonig41]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Why on earth did you buy it, then?

I'll give you $10 for it, seeing as it's used.

It was a blind buy after all the raves that I read about it. I have seen others and didn't like them but didn't hate them either. Merely indifferent. Seventh Seal however was just boring and uninteresting.

[CheapChildren]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

I finally watchd my Criterion The Seventh Seal. While the picture and audio were fantastic, does anyone else find the movie to be an insufferable bore. I cannot understand what is so special about it other than the exquisite cinematography.

Try Fanny & Alexander, not on blu yet but I feel similar about The Seventh Seal but LOVE Fanny & Alexander.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

It was a blind buy after all the raves that I read about it. I have seen others and didn't like them but didn't hate them either. Merely indifferent. Seventh Seal however was just boring and uninteresting.

From your above statement, it sounds to me that the films of Ingmar Bergman aren't for you, then.

CC

[majorkonig41]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

From your above statement, it sounds to me that the films of Ingmar Bergman aren't for you, then.

CC

Yeah I think so as well. I was just curious to see if I was the only one who didn't like it since I haven't seen any negative reviews or comments about it. Oh well. You can't like them all.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

I finally watchd my Criterion The Seventh Seal. While the picture and audio were fantastic, does anyone else find the movie to be an insufferable bore. I cannot understand what is so special about it other than the exquisite cinematography.

I appreciate The Seventh Seal. But ya, I can certainly see why many would find it incredibly boring.

[captveg]

Bergman has grown on my over the years, but other than Wild Strawberries the films I saw at first in my early 20s didn't quite engage me the way I expected. Many of his films still don't when I get around to them, but I appreciate the experience anyway. I recently watched The Magician and while I didn't love it I certainly thought there were some fascinating aspects to it. The Seventh Seal is one that I was indifferent to 10 years ago, but now I quite love it. But it did take me until my third viewing to feel that way.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Time! always time. I have Black Narcissus on DVR but last week PBS went with a re-broadcast of The Civil War, this put me so much behind

I am watching Black Narcissus on BD right now. It is one of my favorite Criterion Blu rays. The Story is timeless, and the cinematography may be some of the best ever done. I actually prefer BN to the Red Shoes. (a fantastic film as well)

PS How could you find the Seventh Seal boring?

[Der Spieler]

It was a pleasure to revisit The Seventh Seal on Blu. When I first saw it years ago, I thought it was boring, tiresome, fastidious. But seeing it a couple of months ago was a revelation. I was completely moved by this wonderfully executed visual poem.

The theme of the absurdity of a world where God offers no answers is treated magnificently. Antonius Block himself sums it up perfectly: " Faith is a torment. It is like loving someone who is out there in the darkness but never appears, no matter how loudly you call." The movie is stuffed with this dark prose so brilliantly delivered by Max von Sydow.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Like that justifies it?

whoa. just saying it was maybe a blind buy. and if so (which it was) then he didn't know what type of film it was or what to expect and thought he would like it? so thus, he was disappointed / let down by it, because it was... a blind buy.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Like that justifies it?

What does he need to justify, exactly? Finding it boring or saying so?

[bthoma]

Originally Posted by Der Spieler

It was a pleasure to revisit The Seventh Seal on Blu. When I first saw it years ago, I thought it was boring, tiresome, fastidious. But seeing it a couple of months ago was a revelation. I was completely moved by this wonderfully executed visual poem.

Agreed. I was indifferent about it during my first viewing but have grown to love it.

Bergman, like art film in general, is not for everyone. But The Seventh Seal is brilliant. The script is one of the most beautiful and poetic I've ever encountered in a film. Calling it a "visual poem" seems entirely appropriate. I'd encourage you to give it a second chance and wholly devote all of your attention to it while watching. I bet you'll find lots of things to appreciate.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by GunRanger

I agree with you. The only scene that I thought was great was the march with the chants. It wasted a great concept.

What could Bergman do better with the concept? Put Bill and Ted in it?

[Yankees0222]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

What could Bergman do better with the concept? Put Bill and Ted in it?

While I prefer Bergmans "Persona" and "Fanny and Alexander", "The Seventh Seal" is definitely one of the most beautiful (Both visually and conceptually) films I've ever seen. I admire the amazing and thought provoking script everytime I watch it.

And while it certainly takes it's time, I wouldn't say it's boring. I'm always drawn into the story and never mind the slow pace of the film.

[GunRanger]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

What could Bergman do better with the concept? Put Bill and Ted in it?

Have more scenes between Death and Block. The game alone, with just them talking, could have been its own movie. No other scenario was as interesting, yet it was only a minor part of the film.

[SpiderBaby]

Does anybody here ever have a director's type day dream about directing fav actors and such?

[buffetfroid]

rock on, Joe!