Bergman’s classic about humans facing death/Death. An earnest, but disillusioned Knight (Antonius, played by Max von Sydow) is returning from the Crusades with his witty cynical squire (Jons played by Gunnar Bjornstrand) when they join up with a wagon of decent, ordinary travelling entertainers for their return trip home to the Knight’s castle.
Death (memorably played by Bengt Ekerot), as a character, intervenes along the way with the Knight, having singled him out for death. They play a chess game that symbolizes the journey through life with all its challenges and conflicts.
In the memorable 97 min. black and white film, we see many examples of human weaknesses, sins, and self-inflicted corruption, though the Knight and squire end up helping and supporting others.
The movie is very powerful visually, beautifully and hauntingly photographed by Gunnar Fischer with frequent well-timed natural sound effects as well as appropriate music by Erik Nordgren. There is also a fair bit of humor, slapstick, and wit.
The movie’s ending becomes more than the plight of one individual as seen in the castle scene and the iconic dance of Death scene, but Bergman is not entirely pessimistic in his views of the flawed human condition; for some anyway, there will be happy endings. The director does not hide his understandings and appreciations of artists and honest, simple folk.
This classic was one of Bergman’s top 10 personal favorites he “could stand behind” and an entertaining, truth-full meditation with astute observations on human nature and shortcomings, in addition to mortality.