When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof and his wife, Mia, and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.
Cinematography
Black-and-white imagery so iconic it spawned a thousand parodies.
Direction
Bergman at peak 'God is silent and I'm upset about it' energy.
Acting
Max von Sydow's face is a whole religion collapsing.
Director
Ingmar Bergman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'chess with Death' scene is so embedded in pop culture that most people referencing it have never seen the film.
Bergman filmed the iconic outdoor scenes in two weeks at Hovs Hallar after the entire production was rejected by Denmark for being too depressing.
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