The Seventh Seal
When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof and his wife, Mia, and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.
Critics Sentiment
Jof sees vision of Death leading companions away
Jons slashes Raval's face during tavern bullying incident
The film drops from the transcendent milk and strawberries scene to the cruder tavern violence, then builds steadily toward the universally acclaimed finale.
Critics consistently praise The Seventh Seal as a masterpiece, with particular acclaim for its iconic chess game premise, the terrifying flagellants sequence, and the transcendent milk and strawberries scene. While some find the bawdy humor and secondary characters less compelling, the film builds to a universally celebrated climax with the Dance of Death finale representing cinema at its most profound and unforgettable.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 45
Gunnar Björnstrand
Jöns
Bengt Ekerot
Death
Nils Poppe
Jof
Max von Sydow
Antonius Block
Bibi Andersson
Mia
Inga Gill
Lisa
Maud Hansson
Witch
Inga Landgré
Karin
Gunnel Lindblom
Mute Girl
Bertil Anderberg
Raval
Anders Ek
Monk
Åke Fridell
Plog
Gunnar Olsson
Albertus Pictor
Erik Strandmark
Jonas Skat
Lars Lind
Young Monk (uncredited)
Benkt-Åke Benktsson
Merchant at Inn (uncredited)
Tor Borong
Farmer at Inn (uncredited)
Gudrun Brost
Woman at Inn (uncredited)
Harry Asklund
Landlord (uncredited)
Ulf Johansson
Knight Commander (uncredited)
Crew
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