The Magician (1959)

Load of rubbish!!

A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

THE MAGICIAN is a very good fantasy drama with elements of comedy. A human drama about fates, masks and magic. One traveling magician, together with his companions, comes to a big city. Upon arrival in the city, he becomes the object of ridicule and accusations. The city authorities are trying to expose his tricks. Their efforts end in a farcical climax through love, sexuality, psychology and supernatural phenomena...Mr. Bergman has again managed to re-examine the important questions of life in an imaginary world. The phenomena that we do not understand are sometimes exciting. Mr. Bergman has tried to play with the human mind through human needs and instincts under the strong influence of illusions and transience of life. Emotions and excitement are colliding with tradition and intellect. The director has made a very pleasant deception. Mystery was complemented with games of shadows, mirrors and lightning. Brilliant sound occasionally breaks anxious silence.The dialogues are thoughtful and very provocative. Characterization is, as usual, excellent.Max von Sydow as Albert Emanuel Vogler is a magician, entertainer, a doctor, a charlatan and a crook at the same time. His character was captured by the irony of life and spiritual poverty. This can be read on the actor's face.Ingrid Thulin as Manda Vogler (alias Mr. Aman) is a beautiful and faithful wife of magician. Gunnar Björnstrand as Dr. Vergerus is a very provocative as a skeptical doctor. Åke Fridell as Tubal is a crook with a smile on his face. Bibi Andersson as Sara is a falsely naive girl, who fell in love with one coachman. Naima Wifstrand as Granny Vogler is a wise old witch, who sings a lovely lullaby for good night and sells rat poison at the same time. This is a good combination between the gruesome melodrama and lustful comedy that ends with a general farce.

The Magician came out at the high point of the famous and fantastic Swedish director, Ingmar Bergman's career, it came out right after Wild Strawberries and The Seventh Seal and right before The Virgin Spring and his famous "Spider-God" or "God's silence" trilogy. But the magician has not been remembered in the same light as those films, in fact it's been mostly forgotten. The Magician follows Volger's Magnetic Health Theater a traveling performance troupe that is run by Albert Emmanuel Volger. (Played by Max Von Sydow.) Many authority figures are skeptical on whether they should be allowed to perform in public. So they are asked to come perform for Dr. Vergerus (played by Gunnar Björnstrand) and Police Superintendent Starbeck (played by Toivo Pawlo) at the house of the rich merchant Mr. Egerman. So that they can see if the performance is fit for public consumption. After watching the Magician I can see what it is less popular than The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries, it lacks the dark atmosphere and theological complexity of The Seventh Seal, and soft subtle human emotion and melancholy of Wild Strawberries. But even though The Magician lacks the depth of some of his other films, Ingmar Bergman's skill and style are still present. The Magician is mostly restrained to the large estate of Mr. Egerman, which is composed of some of the best sets I've seen in an Ingmar Bergman film, this gives the film a wonderful isolated feel. The film's isolated feel is only magnified when coupled with the film's sense of mystery, which makes for one very entertaining film.I really shouldn't even have to say this, considering it's an Ingmar Bergman film, but the acting is great. A lot of Bergman favorites like Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Ingrid Thulin, and Bibi Anderson all star in the Magician, and they're all as good as ever. Max Von Sydow deserves special praise, his character doesn't even speak until an hour through the film, but everything we need to know about him is told through his pose and facial expressions. His character is one that is filled with a deep sadness, he has clearly lived a difficult life but it know it is finally his chance to prove himself to real professionals. The films cinematography is on par with most Bergman films of the time. The film was shot by Gunnar Fischer, who has done wonders on some of Bergman's past films like The Seventh Seal and Smiles of a Summer Night and does wonders here. He captures the dark halls of Mr. Egermans estate perfectly.Even though I can see why The Magician is not considered as good as some of Ingmar Bergman's other films, it is still criminally under seen. The film is one of they most "comfy," Ingmar Bergman films out there. And sure it may not be as complex or beautiful as some of his other films it is still classic Bergman. And if you're an Ingmar Bergman fan you definitely don't want to pass this film up, but if you're not familiar with Bergman I would suggest checking out some of his more famous films before watching this one.7.9/10

Most of Ingmar Bergman's films are meant to titillate the intellect. The Magician is no exception. It is rich with symbolism. I think it ranks right up there with "Death in Venice" on the list of misunderstood movies.I believe the most rewarding level of meaning in "The Magician" is the religious one. Bergman was often concerned with the implications of religious beliefs. And almost always from the attitude of doubt. Consider the lines in The Seventh Seal where the vicious monk, annoyed with the knight's persistence, asks, "Will you never stop asking questions?" and the knight replies resolutely, "No. Never."Watching this movie with the idea of Vogler as Jesus provides a perspective that informs the characters and their conduct. This melancholy magician, doubted and persecuted by the powerful, surrounded by strange and suspicious persons, is simultaneously visionary and earthy flesh and blood. He only wants to perform his miracles for the masses. Or is he a charlatan? What a powerful way to pose that question.

An appropriately mysterious Gothic tale with fascinating characters, who may or may not actually possess certain powers, the material is envisioned well by Ingmar Bergman, with careful attention to lighting design, and the acting is superb. Max Von Sydow is given the most intriguing part to play, and he pulls it off well, but Ingrid Thulin and Naima Wifstrand both deserve mentions for breathing life into their fey characters too. The film is about illusions ultimately, and those who are too critical to suspend their disbelief. It is a bit hard though interpreting exactly what Bergman intended by some of the oddities that he has placed in, such as dispersing poison to a young man. Are these attempts to add humour to the tale? Even with these odd inclusions and rushed ending that is a let down, it is quite a satisfying film overall. The music is great, the acting is excellent, and the interesting characters help make this film one of Bergman's most intriguing pieces.