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:

Netherlands:18 (original rating) (1960) | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Finland:K-16 | UK:PG (video rating) (2001) | UK:X

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Trivia:

The character name Vergerus is one that recurs throughout Bergman's work and is generally associated with lack of emotion and heartlessness.

Quotes:

Granny Vogler:Why the tears, little lizard?
Sanna:Are you a witch?
Granny Vogler:Maybe I am.
Sanna:I'm so scared of everything tonight. And you're so old and ugly.
Granny Vogler:So will you be, little lizard, when you reach two hundred.
Sanna:Are you that old?
Granny Vogler:Oh yes, I am.

Movie Connections:

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

My brief review of the film

An appropriately mysterious Gothic tale with fascinating characters, who may or may not actually possess certain powers, the material is envisioned well by Ingmar Bergman, with careful attention to lighting design, and the acting is superb. Max Von Sydow is given the most intriguing part to play, and he pulls it off well, but Ingrid Thulin and Naima Wifstrand both deserve mentions for breathing life into their fey characters too. The film is about illusions ultimately, and those who are too critical to suspend their disbelief. It is a bit hard though interpreting exactly what Bergman intended by some of the oddities that he has placed in, such as dispersing poison to a young man. Are these attempts to add humour to the tale? Even with these odd inclusions and rushed ending that is a let down, it is quite a satisfying film overall. The music is great, the acting is excellent, and the interesting characters help make this film one of Bergman's most intriguing pieces.