The Films of Ingmar Bergman (Cambridge Film Classics) [Paperback]

Jesse Kalin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cambridge Film Classics | Publication Date: October 13, 2003

This concise overview of the career of one of the modern masters of world cinema defines Ingmar Bergman's conception of the human condition as a struggle to find meaning in life as it is played out. After examining six existential themes explored repeatedly in Bergman's films--judgment, abandonment, suffering, shame, a visionary picture, and a turning toward or away from others--Jesse Kalin shows how these themes are expressed in eight of his films, including well known favorites such as Wild Strawberries, The Seventh Seal, Smiles of a Summer Night, and Fanny and Alexander. Other important but lesser known films covered include Naked Night, Shame, Cries and Whispers, and Scenes from a Marriage.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This volume provides a concise overview of the career of one of the modern masters of world cinema. Jesse Kalin defines Bergman's conception of the human condition as a struggle to find meaning in life as it is played out. For Bergman, meaning is achieved independently of any moral absolute and is the result of a process of self-examination. Six existential themes are explored repeatedly in Bergman's films: judgment, abandonment, suffering, shame, a visionary picture, and above all, turning toward or away from others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521389771
• ISBN-13: 978-0521389778
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,052,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Insightful Book on Ingmar Bergman, April 13, 2005

By 

Douglas Broehl "Delafield Doug" (Delafield, Wis.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Films of Ingmar Bergman (Cambridge Film Classics) (Paperback)

I have read several books and articles on Bergman, and this book is - without doubt - one of the most insighful and interesting. The author begins by laying out the "geography of the soul" according to Ingmar Bergman, and then analyzes several of his films in light of this paradigm. I felt the author very correctly identified Bergman's central themes in his films and did an excellent job of explicating how these themes are manifested in his works. I had a college professor say to me once, "A medoicre book points out the obvious, a great book points out things that are not obvious;" this is definitely a great book. After going back to my DVD collection and watching some of Bergman's films again after having read this book, I noticed several things I had not seen before, and this book greatly enriched my understanding and appreciation of his films.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Text, March 16, 2006

By 

D. Gallagher (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Films of Ingmar Bergman (Cambridge Film Classics) (Paperback)

Of all the Bergman studies available, this is the most lucid and detailed. A good read as well! Recommended for Bergman scholars as well as for those wanting to learn more about the great director. Fine cross-over text.

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT STRAWBERRIES, February 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Films of Ingmar Bergman (Cambridge Film Classics) (Paperback)

This is by far the most acute and perceptive analysis on Mr. Bergman's films. Written with an uncanny clarity and vision, this volume also contains dozens of frame stills that illuminate the text. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!