Our film was made in just one month during the summer of 1957. I imagine that gorgous sun filled days like the one at the beginning, and again today, during the so-called "wild strawberry" scene, are rare in Sweden. So, Bergman probably had to shoot fast or lose it. The film was shot on a minimal budget, with his ensemble of actors, all of whom would appear in a number of his films.
Max von Sydow, who plays the knight, went on to become a very successful actor in America. Bergman dropped him from his troupe permanently when he said no to appearing in a film because of his Hollywood commitments.
Gunnar Bjornstrum (sp) who plays the squire, Jons, also was a regular. I'm not sure he ever had a better part than this one. His raw masculinity and physicality jump out at the viewer.. Since I am more inclined to admire feminine beauty than the masculine variety, I am on unfamiliar ground here, but my intuition tells me that a female viewer might find him rather alluring. I defer to my female readers to either confirm or deny my intuition here.
His female leads tended to change more swiftly as he moved from one conquest/romance to the next. Live Ullman was his most famous to Americans, and she became very famous here, but the most beautiful was probably Bibi Andersen, who plays Mia. She is quite dazzling in a very simple and innocent way. One can imagine her being quite amazing should she dress her self up for a sexier role. But, Bergman didn't want that here. She is emblematic of the simple feminine ideal.
I forget the name of the guy who plays death. But, he's a famous Swedish actor in one of his last roles. The audience in Sweden recognized him very well.
Tomorrow, we will see a big fire. All the forest scenes were filmed either on a set, or in the small wooded area adjacent to the studio. Turn camera to left or right and you'd see a parking lot. But Bergman succeeds in creating a dark, primordial forest filled with evil spirits and danger. The fire raged out of control and the fire department arrived. Neighbors were furious since their houses and cars were covered with ash. The actors had to flee and he almost failed to finish shooting the scene.
I like Gunnar Bjornstrum's character because unlike Max von Sydow's character, Antonius Block, Squire Jons is active and dynamic. I don't wish to knock on our protagonist, but what he does is mostly brood. Squire Jons, on the other hand, saves a minstrel's life, makes quips about death and religion, gives a criminal his comeuppance, and saves a woman from rape. He has his share of good traits and bad traits - easily one of the best characters in cinema. Then again, I'm probably just biased. I always liked the antihero.
ReplyDeleteI read The Scarlet Letter, and Chillingworth interested me more than Dimmesdale for the reasons mentioned above. All Dimmesdale does throughout the novel is angst. Chillingworth drives the plot along. Once again, it's just my opinion.
I have to agree with Diana on this one. If anything makes me crazy in a film, it's when the main character does nothing but ANGST the entire time. That was the only thing I didn't like in Lord of the Rings -- Frodo is angsting constantly.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I do believe Jons is not only more dynamic and interesting, but simply easier to connect with also. Block is distant, and never really lets us connect with his character. To be honest, I didn't care about Block one bit. He's just some guy who happens to be the protagonist.