Sunday 13 May 2012

Best of Bergman? An Interactive Post

Ingmar Bergman is one of the greatest directors of all time.  How do I know?  Because I've been told it is true on numerous occasions.  Most recently it was this post from Alex at And So It Begins that reminded me to check out the work of Bergman.


Why didn't I figure it out for myself?  Because I haven't seen a single one of his films yet.  But all that stops this week.  After reading and hearing so much about this highly respected director, I finally decided to look up some of his films on Lovefilm.  What did I discover?

Many of Bergman's films are free to stream as part of my Lovefilm subscription package.  So to begin with I've put on my list:
  1. Persona
  2. The Virgin Spring
  3. Wild Strawberries
  4. Autumn Sonata
  5. Cries and Whispers
  6. Scenes from a Marriage
  7. and the seventh title on the list is aptly... The Seventh Seal.


So what I'd like to know from all the Bergman fans out there is where should I start?

What is the most accessible of these?

Could anyone actually give me a suggested order to watch these in?

Are there others that I have missed that should be in my required viewing?

If I don't like the first couple I watch, is it worth continuing or should I just accept I have bad taste?

 For the record, I'm thinking of starting with either The Seventh Seal (because at least I can enjoy the part that influenced Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey) or The Virgin Spring (as I hear The Last House on the Left was based on this story).  But please get involved and persuade me otherwise if you feel I should start elsewhere.  Please comment below...

21 comments:

  1. I'd say tackle films like "Persona" and "The Seventh Seal" a little later into your Bergman viewing. They're not the easiest to grasp immediately. "The Virgin Spring" is not my favorite of his, but it's accessible. If you can find "Smiles of a Summer Night" or "Wild Strawberries" check those out. I think they're good starter films for Bergman and they're both great. Good luck!

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    1. Cool thanks Tim, I think I'll go for Wild Strawberries or maybe Virgin Spring. I'll keep a look out for Smiles of a Summer Night too.

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  2. Start with Wild strawberries or The seventh seal. They are much more accessible than anything else and actually are excellent movies. I will say keep persona for the last, it probably is the heaviest of all. I am dying to see virgin springs, autumn sonata and scenes from marriage myself so can't really recommend anything on them. But, I must say you do have a great line-up. I will be really surprised if you end up not loving bergman after this.
    If there is something missing and is pretty much essential, it is Fanny and Alexander. Otherwise, I think you have it all covered. Happy Watching !! :)

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    1. Thanks SDG! I'll add Fanny and Alexander. Yeah it's looking like Wild Strawberries definitely might be a popular choice for starting out! Thanks!

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  3. I think Wild Strawberries is the most accesibile - it's also my favorite movie of his. The Silence and Persona are also essential viewings. You should add "Through the glass darkly" to the list, it's one of his best.

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    1. Sweet I'll see if The Silence and Through the Glass Darkly are free to stream on Lovefilm and add them to the list if I'm not sick of Bergman after this lot!

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  4. First off, this is so awesome that you're jumping headfirst into the world of Bergman.

    Now, "accessible" and "Bergman" aren't exactly two words that fit well together. With that in mind, the LEAST accessible film on your list is easily Persona, but it's also my favorite, so take that for what you will.

    The Virgin Spring, Autumn Sonata and Scenes from a Marriage are all rather straightforward.

    So, my best advice: start at the beginning and work your way down. What better way to discover a new filmmaker than in the order in which they released their work?

    So for the films you have listed I would go:
    The Seventh Seal
    Wild Strawberries
    The Virgin Spring
    Persona
    Cries and Whispers
    Scenes From a Marriage (the five hour version is best, but take what you can get)
    Autumn Sonata

    Watch those and you'll be deep into Bergmanland.

    Other essentials not on your list (in chronological order):
    Smiles of a Summer Night
    Through a Glass Darkly/Winter Light/The Silence (these three films are a loose trilogy and should be viewed as such, in order)
    Hour of the Wolf
    Face to Face
    Fanny and Alexander
    Saraband

    Watch all of those, and you'll damn near be an expert.

    A recommendation: don't watch more than one of these a day, they are seriously heavy shit that will confound you (for better or worse). It's best to let a Bergman stew.

    Have fun, my friend, your life will never be the same.

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    1. Great advice Alex! I think that's exactly what I'll do. That means I get to watch two of the ones I've heard the most about and Wild Strawberries which seems to be very popular among the comments here. If I'm not loving Bergman by then, I might as well pack up and leave the blogosphere before I embarrass myself further!

      I'll check out which of the others Lovefilm have if I'm still desperate for more later. I will certainly limit my Bergman's to one a day, possible even one a week just to really savour the flavour! Thanks buddy!

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  5. Can't be much help as I haven't seen a single Bergman film either, Pete. So this will be an educational post for both of us :D

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one, thanks for making me feel like less of a loser!

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  6. Make that three of us! Bergman virgin here as well. We should do some sort of fun "Schooling Bergman" blogathon or something! :-)

    Alex, I think I'll go your route. I trust you.

    It's going to be my quest for this summer.

    Good luck to you all!

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    1. Interesting idea Dave. Perhaps a blogathon would be a good idea! Yeah in Alex I trust. It's going to take me a good while to get through these. Thanks for the heads up about the pic too. It wasn't him but it came up on Google images and being a freaking amateur I didn't check it was him! I think that's him now though!

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    2. Haha you guys are too funny. Press on, young pupils. Press on.

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  7. It is OK Pete. I am not the best person at seeing Bergman's work either. I have only seen Seventh Seal. I suck!

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  8. Well that's one more than me so far. Looking forward to getting started.

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  9. I've only seen two (Persona and Cries and Whispers) myself, the latter is the one I preferred, a deep study of a trio of sister’s relationship with one another, profound stuff, often distributing (including a scene of – I’ll let you find out yourself). Luckily Bergman's films are very accessible (they sell a lot in HMV, but they are quite expensive).

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    1. Ok I'm intrigued by that. Sounds like I'm going to save Persona for awhile but I'll be sure to see Cries and Whispers fairly soon!

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  10. Wild Strawberries is the film I enjoyed the most of what I have watched of Bergman up to now, but if I'm brutally honest I often find his films a little cold and slow. I guess that's his style, Bergman's body of work is not for everyone. I admire him more than love him I think.
    Scenes from a Marriage I have seen part of, and want to catch the rest, seems to have great dialogue.

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    1. Cold and slow? Sounds like a criticism of Kubrick. I suspect I may feel similar to you but we'll see. I'm going to start with The Seventh Seal and then go to Wild Strawberries and The Virgin Spring. If I'm not a devoted fan by then, I might pass on the rest!

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  11. I have only seen two Bergman films myself -- Wild Strawberries and The Seventh Seal -- but I really enjoyed both. Out of the two, I prefer The Seventh Seal, but you can't go wrong with either. Looking forward to seeing where this project takes you!

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    1. I just have to get started now! Taking me longer than expected!

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Join me in conversation! Please leave a comment on your own pondering.