Magician

Max von Sydow Actor , Ingrid Thulin Actor , Naima Wifstrand Actor , Bengt Ekerot Actor , Bibi Andersson Actor

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Magician

UPC: 715515063913

Studio: Criterion

Summary: Much better known in the U.S. as The Magician, this award-winning, surreal, evocative drama stars Max von Sydow as the title character and features several of Sweden's top performers. Set in the 1840s in Stockholm, the mystery and enigma of life and death itself are embodied in Vogler, the magician who runs "Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater." When his traveling show arrives in town, the police commissioner, a doctor, and a civil servant are intent on putting his supernatural powers to the test. As the pendulum swings between fearful images and moments of comic relief, the mysterious Mr. Vogler defies analysis. In 1959, Ansiktet was given the "Best Film" prize at the British Academy Awards, the "Best Foreign Film" prize at the New York Film Critics Awards, and two prizes at the Venice Film Festival. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Special Jury Prize – Venice International Film Festival Best British Film – British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Features: New visual essay by Bergman scholar Peter Cowie
Brief 1967 video interview with director Ingmar Bergman about the film
Rare english-language audio interview with Bergman, conducted by filmmakers Olivier Assayas and Stig Bj?rkman in 1990
Plus: a booklet featuring excerpts from a 1990 tribute to the film by assayas, a new essay by critic Geoff Andrew, and an excerpt from Bergman's autobiography images: my life in film