The Magician (1958)

The Magician (Ansiktet)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Written by Ingmar Bergman
1958/Sweden
Svensk Filmindustri
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Granny Vogler: I see what I see, and I know what I know. But nobody believes me.[/box]

It probably would take a lifetime to parse out all that’s going on in the story but Bergman’s images are immediately accessible and gorgeous.

It is somewhere in Sweden during the 19th Century.  Dr. Vogler (Max Von Sydow) is a magician and hypnotist who heads Vogler’s Magnetic Health Theater troupe.  Among it’s members are his grandmother, an ancient witch and potion seller, his young “ward” Mr Aman – actually his wife (Ingrid Thulin) – and his randy MC and promoter Tubal.  Vogler is supposedly mute and wears a false beard and wig.  Along the country road, the troupe picks up a sick and drunken actor who promptly expires.

The party is waylaid by police who take them to a country estate where they are forced to perform.  Minister of Health Dr. Vergerus (Gunnar Bjornstrand) and Consul Egerman (Erland Josephson) have a bet on whether the good Dr. Vogler in fact has supernatural powers or is a charlatan.  The many odd things that subsequently occur leave the issue still up for debate by the time the traveling theater hits the road again.  With Bibi Andersson as a bawdy servant girl.

Much of this beautiful film went over my head on this, my first, viewing.  I just sat back and enjoyed Gunnar Fischer’s stunning cinematography and the brilliant acting.  Some of my questions were cleared up by the film historian’s visual essay included on the Blu-Ray I rented.  This is evidently at least in part a response to Bergman’s critics who disliked what they could not understand.  It was one of those movies I feel I should see again sooner rather than later.  Recommended.

Clip – opening sequence