The Passion of Ingmar Bergman [Paperback]

Frank Gado (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1986

Acknowledged as one of the greatest filmmakers of this or any other time, Bergman has with few exceptions written his own screenplays—an uncommon practice in the film industry—and for this practice critics refer to him as a "literary" filmmaker: In this work, Gado examines virtually the entire range of Bergman's literary output. While treating the matter of the visual preentation fo Bergman's films, Gado concentrates on story and narrative and their relationship to Bergman's personal history.

Gado concludes that whatever the outward appearance of Bergman's works, they contain an elementary psychic fantasy that links them all, revealing an artist who hoped to be a dramatist, "the new Strindberg," and who saw the camera as an extension of his pen.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the literature of film, another book on Swedish director Bergman hardly seems necessary. Gado claims his massive study approaches Bergman as a literary filmmaker, one with recurring characters, themes, and preoccupations. Hardly an original notion, and fortunately, one Gado doesn't dwell on too long. This is a readable, exceptionally thorough analysis of Bergman's output, breaking little new ground but covering the old territory with style and grace. Recommended for larger collections or those with a hole where their Bergman books should be. Thomas Wiener, formerly with "American Film," Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 564 pages
• Publisher: Duke University Press Books (September 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822305860
• ISBN-13: 978-0822305866
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is THE Bergman book, April 24, 2001

By 

Jim Lent (Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Passion of Ingmar Bergman (Paperback)

My jaw drops at the Library Journal review supplied by Amazon of Frank Gado's magnificant Bergman book, but I note it appears to be a very early review. I had been a Bergman fan for years when Gado's book came out and when it did it was like lightning bolt. This is not just some pamphlet to add to your Bergman collection once you've read all the rest. This is the SEMINAL study of Bergman; no one can write about the filmaker in the future without knowing this book. It was the first to get past the religious mumbo-jumbo and the literary high mindedness to discover just what Bergman is actually saying. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, it is, above all, the most compelling psychological study of the director ever attempted. His discussion of "Persona," my own personal favorite Bergman film and admittedly a difficult nut to crack, quite simply renders useless virtually every other critique of the film that had been written previously, and that includes essays by Susan Sontag and a host of others with similarly sharp minds. These pages are filled with insight after insight. The only possible complaint I have is that Gado seems uninterested in the "filmic" quality of Bergman's work. There's little discussion of how the films look and feel via cinematography, framing, sound, lighting, editing, what have you. That's fine. If he hadn't left that for others there'd be little left for anyone to write about.