Ansiktet (1958)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman (writer)

Release Date:

27 August 1959 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Into the Nether-World! You'll Gasp At This Occult Hypnotic Experience Into the Supernatural!

Plot:

When 'Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater' comes to town, there's bound to be a spectacle. Reading reports...

Plot Keywords:

Parable | 1800s | Illusion | Magician

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Max von Sydow	...	Albert Emanuel Vogler
Ingrid Thulin	...	Manda Vogler (alias Mr. Aman)
Gunnar Björnstrand	...	Dr. Vergerus, Minister of Health
Naima Wifstrand	...	Granny Vogler
Bengt Ekerot	...	Johan Spegel
Bibi Andersson	...	Sara Lindqvist
Gertrud Fridh	...	Ottilia Egerman
Lars Ekborg	...	Simson, the coach driver
Toivo Pawlo	...	Police Superintendant Starbeck
Erland Josephson	...	Consul Egerman
Åke Fridell	...	Tubal
Sif Ruud	...	Sofia Garp
Oscar Ljung	...	Antonsson, burly stableman
Ulla Sjöblom	...	Henrietta Starbeck
Axel Düberg	...	Rustan, young manservant

Also Known As:

The Face (UK)
The Magician (USA)

Runtime:

100 min | UK:107 min

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

AGA Sound System

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | UK:PG (video rating) (2001) | UK:X

Filming Locations:

Djurgardsslaten 49-51, Skansen, Djurgården, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Company:

Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Trivia:

Max von Sydow's character Vogler doesn't utter his first word until one hour and three minutes into the film.

Quotes:

Johan Spegel: I've prayed one prayer in my life: Use me, O God! But He never understood what a devoted slave I'd have been. So I was never used... But that too is a lie. Step by step you go into the dark. The movement itself is the only truth.

"The Tortured Soul of an Artist or Smiles of a Summer Night meets Hour of the Wolf."

With the exception for the abrupt and somehow rushed and unsatisfying ending, "Magician" is a typical (in a good sense of the word) Bergman's film that I liked a lot. I would call it "The Tortured Soul of an Artist or Smiles of a Summer Night meets Hour of the Wolf." I did not know what to expect from the film and was pleasantly surprised by an interesting story; impressive (especially in the earlier scenes in the woods) black and white cinematography; perfect blend of humor, intense drama, and mystery. Acting was perfect - not a big surprise with the cast like that: Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bibi Andersson, and Erland Josephson. I'd like to mention Naima Wifstrand as Granny Vogler - what a great actress and what a character - she stepped out from the pages of the fairy tales, the old witch, wise and powerful; she also provides many comical scenes.

7.5/10