The Magician [Criterion Collection]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

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

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Subtitle: Eng
• 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 Bjorkman 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

AWARDS

• British Academy of Film and Television Arts

•     Nominated Best British Film - 1959 (Ingmar Bergman)

• Venice International Film Festival

•     Won Special Jury Prize - 1959 (Ingmar Bergman)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Max von Sydow - Albert Emanuel Vogler
       Ingrid Thulin - Manda Aman Vogler
       Naima Wifstrand - Grandmother
       Bengt Ekerot - Johan Spegel
       Bibi Andersson - Sara Lindquist
       Gertrud Fridh - Ottilia Egerman
       Toivo Pawlo - Chief Superintendent Starbeck
       Erland Josephson - Consul Abraham Egerman
       Ake Fridell - Tubal
       Sif Ruud - Sofia Garp
       Oscar Ljung - Antonsson
       Ulla Sjoblom - Henrietta Starbeck
       Axel Duberg - Rustan
       Birgitta Pettersson - Sanna
       Tor Borong - Customs officer
       Gunnar Bjornstrand - Councillor Vergerus
       Lars Ekborg - Simson

• Director:

  Ingmar Bergman

• Producer:

  Allan Ekelund

• Screenwriter:

  Ingmar Bergman

• Cinematographer:

  Gunnar Fischer

• Composer (Music Score):

  Eric Nordgren

• Editor:

  Oscar Rosander

• Production Designer:

  P.A. Lundgren