The Magician (1958)

A traveling magician and his assistants are persecuted by authorities in Sweden of the 19th century. Their captures, however, didn't bring victory to those in power.

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman

Stars:

Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

When 'Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater' comes to town, there's bound to be a spectacle. Reading reports of a variety of supernatural disturbances at Vogler's prior performances abroad, the leading townspeople (including the police chief and medical examiner) request that their troupe provide them a sample of their act, before allowing them public audiences. The scientific-minded disbelievers try to expose them as charlatans, but Vogler and his crew prove too clever for them.

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Plot Keywords:

crossdresser | drag | transvestite | crossdressing | eastern europe | 

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Taglines:

A haunting journey into the netherworld between reality and the unknown.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Vogler was based on Bergman himself.

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Goofs

(at about 13 mins) When Tubal gets on in a carriage, a policeman hangs outside the carriage door but in the very next shot, the policeman is again seen to hang on the same door.

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Quotes

Manda Vogler: Remember in Lyon when we earned lots of money, bought a country house, and intended to stop traveling? Then we sold the property and bought the carriage and horses. That's when you started acting mute. Remember the Grand Duke in Köten who was so taken by me that he promised to recommend us to His Majesty in Sweden? You thought I'd been unfaithful, and you gave the duke a thrashing. We sat in prison for two months until he forgave us. He was very magnanimous and promised to recommend us to the ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Siskel & Ebert 500th Anniversary Special (1989)

User Reviews

A Great Duel Between Science and Magic

In 1846, the Albert Emanuel Vogler (Max Von Sydow) and his magnetic health theater is moving in a coach to Stockholm, escaping from the accusation of charlatanism. By the way, they find a very sick drunken man on the road and give a lift to him. The drunk wants to die, to release his spirit from the spoiled body. The man dies along the journey. Near the border, they are forced to present their show to a group of skeptical persons, leaded by the local chief of police, the consul and the scientist Vergérus (Gunnar Björnstrand) and their families. There is a great confrontation between magic and science.

This movie has a great performance of the whole cast and a great black and white photography. The story, about reality x illusion, is very attractive. The VHS released by the Brazilian distributor Continental is a shame. It seems to be filmed from an English projection, having black stripes covering the English subtitles and trembling image. Unfortunately, this is the unique option I have in Brazil to possess such a film in my collection. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): 'O Rosto' ('The Face')

Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

27 August 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Magician

Filming Locations:

Djurgården, Östermalm, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Company Credits

Production Co:

Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

AGA Sound System

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1