The Magician (1958 film)

The Magician is a 1958 film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. Its original Swedish title is Ansiktet, which means "The Face", and it was released theatrically as The Face in the United Kingdom, although video releases have used the U.S. title.

Contents

• The magician montage
• The magician 1958 movie review
• Cast
• Reception
• References

The film stars Max von Sydow as a traveling magician named Albert Vogler. Reading reports of a variety of supernatural disturbances at Vogler's prior performances abroad, the leading townspeople request that Vogler's troupe provide them a sample of their act, before allowing them public audiences. The scientifically minded disbelievers try to expose them as charlatans, but Vogler has a few tricks up his sleeve.

The film was distantly inspired by G. K. Chesterton's play Magic, which Bergman numbered among his favourites. Bergman staged a theatre production of "Magic" in Swedish at one point. The film was selected as the Swedish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 31st Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Cast

Max von Sydow – Albert Emanuel Vogler

Ingrid Thulin – Manda Vogler (alias Mr. Aman)

Gunnar Björnstrand – Dr. Vergerus, Minister of Health

Naima Wifstrand – Granny Vogler

Bengt Ekerot – Johan Spegel

Bibi Andersson – Sara

Birgitta Pettersson - Sanna

Gertrud Fridh – Ottilia Egerman

Lars Ekborg – Simson, the coach driver

Toivo Pawlo – Police Superintendent Starbeck

Erland Josephson – Consul Egerman

Åke Fridell – Tubal

Sif Ruud – Sofia Garp

Oscar Ljung – Antonsson, burly stableman

Ulla Sjöblom – Henrietta Starbeck

Axel Düberg – Rustan, young manservant

Reception

The Magician has a unanimous approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Don Druker of the Chicago Reader called it "one of Bergman's most tightly structured and frightening films."

Woody Allen selected The Magician as one of the five Bergman films that he would most recommend to those unfamiliar with the filmmaker.