The Magician (1958) Ansiktet (original title)

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
Birgitta Pettersson	...	Sanna
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Frithiof Bjärne	...	Border Officer (uncredited)
Tor Borong	...	Border Officer (uncredited)
Arne Martensson	...	Customs Officer (uncredited)
Harry Schein	...	Customs officer (uncredited)

Directed by
Ingmar Bergman

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Ingmar Bergman		writer

Produced by
Allan Ekelund	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Erik Nordgren

Cinematography by
Gunnar Fischer

Film Editing by
Oscar Rosander

Production Design by
P.A. Lundgren

Costume Design by
Greta Johansson
Manne Lindholm

Makeup Department
Börje Lundh	....	makeup artist
Nils Nittel	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Carl-Henry Cagarp	....	studio production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gösta Ekman	....	assistant director

Art Department
Karl-Arne Bergman	....	property master (as Karl Arne Bergman)

Sound Department
Åke Hansson	....	sound
Aaby Wedin	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
Rolf Holmquist	....	assistant camera

Music Department
Eskil Eckert-Lundin	....	conductor (as E. Eckert-Lundin)

Other crew
Katinka Faragó	....	script supervisor (as Katherina Faragó)

Production Companies

• Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Distributors

• DLS Film (1960) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Janus Films (1959) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Continental Home Vídeo (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Criterion Collection, The (19??) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Criterion Collection, The (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• GoodTimes Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1978) (USA) (TV)
• Tartan Video (1993) (UK) (VHS) (subtitled)

Also Known As:

"Ansiktet" - Sweden (original title)

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 | Netherlands:18 (original rating) (1960) | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Djurgardsslaten 49-51, Skansen, Djurgården, Östermalm, 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:

Dr. Vergerus, Minister of Health:The whole evening I've been fighting an unexplainable liking for you and your husband.
Manda Vogler:You surprise me.
Dr. Vergerus, Minister of Health:I took to you at once... your faces, your silence, your natural dignity. I would not admit it if I were not slightly drunk.
Manda Vogler:Then leave us alone.
Dr. Vergerus, Minister of Health:I can't. You represent what I detest most of all... the unexplainable.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Siskel & Ebert: Remembering Gene Siskel" (1999)

"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