I'm not crazy about conceptual/abstract art in general. My problem with that is that it always feels like what you'd be doing for yourself, not the audience, so you can make sure the story is told in a new and interesting way. But every once in a while something like that really works, and here is one of them.

The weird jumps for characters in this actually helps tell the story like what you might go through in that death phase. Your mind is not controlled by logic and physical limitations all the time. If you think about it like a dream, this is very similar. You never question how you suddenly got to some totally different location. You just go with it and live the moment you're in.

That's why I love this movie. As a depiction of what going through death might be like, this film does it so well. I'll admit, the beginning starts just ok, but I love the second half a lot. That's where we see differences in embracing our 'main' character.

Certainly check it out if you haven't seen it, but just make sure you're in the right mood. I don't think this is a 'chill out after a hard day's work' movie.

There's really no sense in pretending that I liked this film in order to try and impress others. I know, "The Seventh Seal" is praised as a masterwork and I'm not about to try to argue that it's not. If it truly is, I'll just admit that its brilliance escapes me.

The imagery at times is striking but not for example..."2001: A Space Odyssey"-striking. Max Von Sydow expresses much emotion in simple looks and glances, especially towards Jof, Mia and their son. The portrayal of Death has become iconic. I get it. But that doesn't mean that this film is anything other than boring to me. The characters may be accurately portrayed given the time that the film is set in, but that doesn't mean that I have to like them or their uncomfortable strangeness. The veiled commentary on Life and Death is hardly disturbing or enlightening to me.

When I type up these little reviews, my goal is to communicate my enjoyment of a film, not to try and rate a film on its importance or craft. I can't do that. I can't explain why I rate "Godzilla" or "Star Trek" movies higher than this one. I'm not a filmmaker, nor have I ever attempted to be. So what it all boils down to is this; did it entertain me? My answer to that would be no, not really. Now where's my "Caddyshack" DVD?

**The universality and invincibility of Death, the fear of dying, the importance of faith and its use by the Church in a timeless film, but not suitable for everyone.**

The film, set in the late Middle Ages, begins with a knight returning to his homeland in Sweden after participating in the crusades. When he spots the figure of Death, who has come to get him, he decides to try to gain time by inviting her to play chess: if he wins the game, Death will not take him.

What follows is a huge film essay around the themes of death, beliefs, faith, religion and the role of spirituality in human experience. While the plague is raging and claiming victims, we see people increasingly scared, and blindly resorting to faith to protect themselves from what looks like the end of times. We see people's daily lives, with their mistakes, virtues, sins and difficulties. We see the knight himself, with a growing fear of dying and struggling with deeper and deeper doubts about faith, the existence of God. Furthermore, we also see how the Church exploited the fear of death to reinforce its power, influence and relevance within uneducated communities shaken by the epidemic. The ending is simple, but there is a deep meaning in it.

Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman's masterpiece seems to have its origins in his own fear of death. Max von Sydow, who gave life to the knight, is the greatest actor present in the film and gives us a strong and impactful performance. The film has gained notoriety over the decades and has become one of the most timeless and culturally significant classics of European cinema. However, it is not a film for everyone. Its simplicity, the way it approaches very complicated and philosophical themes and the ending that is difficult to understand at first glance are more than enough reasons why many people do not like this film, and I have to admit that there is a reason. For me personally, it wasn't a success, it's not a movie you want to see regularly, but I recognize its value.