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The Magician

Original title: Ansiktet
  • 1958
  • Approved
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, and Naima Wifstrand in The Magician (1958)
SatireComedyDrama

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

  • Director
    • Ingmar Bergman
  • Writer
    • Ingmar Bergman
  • Stars
    • Max von Sydow
    • Ingrid Thulin
    • Gunnar Björnstrand
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Writer
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Stars
      • Max von Sydow
      • Ingrid Thulin
      • Gunnar Björnstrand
    • 48User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos130

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    Top cast20

    Edit
    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • Albert Emanuel Vogler
    Ingrid Thulin
    Ingrid Thulin
    • Manda Vogler (alias Mr. Aman)
    Gunnar Björnstrand
    Gunnar Björnstrand
    • Dr. Vergerus, Minister of Health
    Naima Wifstrand
    Naima Wifstrand
    • Granny Vogler
    Bengt Ekerot
    Bengt Ekerot
    • Johan Spegel
    Bibi Andersson
    Bibi Andersson
    • Sara Lindqvist
    Gertrud Fridh
    Gertrud Fridh
    • Ottilia Egerman
    Lars Ekborg
    Lars Ekborg
    • Simson, the coach driver
    Toivo Pawlo
    Toivo Pawlo
    • Police Superintendant Starbeck
    Erland Josephson
    Erland Josephson
    • Consul Egerman
    Åke Fridell
    Åke Fridell
    • Tubal
    Sif Ruud
    Sif Ruud
    • Sofia Garp
    Oscar Ljung
    Oscar Ljung
    • Antonsson, burly stableman
    Ulla Sjöblom
    Ulla Sjöblom
    • Henrietta Starbeck
    Axel Düberg
    Axel Düberg
    • Rustan, young manservant
    Birgitta Pettersson
    Birgitta Pettersson
    • Sanna
    Frithiof Bjärne
    • Border Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Tor Borong
    • Border Officer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Writer
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The character of Vogler was based on Bergman himself.
    • 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

      Dr. Vergerus, Minister of Health: Either this is a dream or I'm losing my mind. Since It's inconceivable that I've lost all reason, I'll just wait till I wake up.

    • Connections
      Featured in Premio Donostia a Max Von Sydow (2006)

    User reviews48

    Featured review
    8/10

    Smoke & Mirrors...

    Everybody wants to believe, born into a world that constantly deceives, that magic is real, as we make a deal, with an agent that death's door conceals - or at least that was the case in ages past when such beliefs were seared into you from birth.

    Don't be fooled by what you see, the customs, costumes distract thee, a grand façade to suck you in, from birth, controlled, conditioning.

    The illusions that confuse and abuse perfectly encapsulated in a magical and mesmerising piece of cinema that merits repeated reviewing, and why wouldn't you with several Bergman stalwarts performing to their absolute best, and some.
    • Xstal
    • Feb 4, 2023
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

    • How long is The Magician?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 27, 1959 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Sweden
    • Language
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • The Face
    • Filming locations
      • Svensk Filmindustri, Filmstaden, Råsunda, Stockholms län, Sweden(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Svensk Filmindustri (SF)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • AGA Sound System
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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    Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, and Naima Wifstrand in The Magician (1958)
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