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.

---

Plot Keywords:

crossdresser | drag | transvestite | crossdressing | eastern europe | 

---

Taglines:

Spine-Chilling! Suspenseful! Mind Shattering!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Vergerus was based on critic Harry Schein who disliked Bergman's work.

---

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.

---

Quotes

Simson, the coach driver: One learns not to run around picking every flower by the wayside.
Sara Lindqvist: You can at least smell them.
Simson, the coach driver: I just bend over the fragile petals and then move on.
Sara Lindqvist: Why do you talk so much?

---

Connections

Featured in Premio Donostia a Max Von Sydow (2006)

User Reviews

"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

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