7.3
When 'Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater' comes to town, there's bound to be a spectacle. Reading reports of a variety of supernatural disturbances at Vogler's prior performances abroad, the leading townspeople (including the police chief and medical examiner) request that their troupe provide them a sample of their act, before allowing them public audiences. The scientific-minded disbelievers try to expose them as charlatans, but Vogler and his crew prove too clever for them.
Max von Sydow
Albert Emanuel Vogler
Ingrid Thulin
Manda Vogler
Gunnar Björnstrand
Dr. Vergerus / Minister of Health
Naima Wifstrand
Granny Vogler
Bengt Ekerot
Johan Spegel
Bibi Andersson
Sara Lindqvist
Gertrud Fridh
Ottilia
Lars Ekborg
Simson
Toivo Pawlo
Starbeck
Erland Josephson
Consul Egerman
Åke Fridell
Tubal
Sif Ruud
Sofia
Oscar Ljung
Antonsson
Ulla Sjöblom
Henrietta
Axel Düberg
Rustan
Birgitta Pettersson
Sanna
Frithiof Bjärne
Border Officer (uncredited)
Tor Borong
Border Officer (uncredited)
Arne Mårtensson
Customs Officer (uncredited)
Harry Schein
Customs Officer (uncredited)
Director, Writer
Ingmar Bergman
September 6, 2018
7
The three films that Ingmar Bergman produced at the close of the 1950s – <i>Det sjunde inseglet</i>, <i>Smultronstället</i> and <i>Jungfrukällen</i> – tower so high in his output that one might forget that these were not his only productions of the era. <i>Ansiktet</i> ("The Face", released in English-speaking markets as <i>The Magician</i>) from 1958 is one of his lesser-known films.
In mid-19th century Sweden the magician Albert Emanuel Vogler (Max van Sydow) goes from town to town promising people cures for their ailments and performing magic tricks, including what was the sensation of the time, hypnosis. He is joined by his tout (Aake Fridell), his "ward" Mr. Aman (Ingrid Thulin) and his "grandmother" and the troupe's maker of patent medicine (Naima Wifstrand). After fleeing the law after a performance in one town, they pass through the forest and enter another community. Here they are detained by the authorities, so that the physician Vergerus (Gunnar Bjornstrand), the consul Egerman (Erland Josephson) can decide a wager on whether Vogler's tricks are real spiritual powers or scientifically explainable illusions.
While <i>Ansiktet</i> should not be overlooked for fans of Bergman, I think it is fair that the film is not ranked among Bergman's greatest achievements. Characterization is pretty slim – we get no idea of why Vogler and his companion chose this life, and Vergerus is so shallow that Gunnar Bjornstrand seems wasted. And had the film ended three minutes earlier it would have been one of Bergman's more powerful conclusions, but instead we get a completely unexpected happy ending that just seems lame. Much of the middle part of the film depends on sex jokes that are funny at times, but I suspect anyone who knows Bergman's great output will continuously be thinking that he's capable of so much more than this.
Still, <i>Ansiktet</i> does have a generally thought-provoking dramatic arc, and some moments will prove memorable. I especially admired the battle between Vergerus and Vogler and the magician's breakdown (funny how his temperment appropriately changes with his clothes in this scene).
Status:
Released
Original Language:
Swedish
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00