Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsAnsiktet (1958) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Ingmar Bergman (writer)
Release Date:
27 August 1959 (USA) more
Tagline:
Into the Nether-World! You'll Gasp At This Occult Hypnotic Experience Into the Supernatural! more
Plot:
When 'Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater' comes to town, there's bound to be a spectacle. Reading reports... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
satisfying on many levels: a reflection on Bergamn as illusionist more (16 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | 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 Lindqvist |
| Gertrud Fridh | ... | Ottilia Egerman |
| Lars Ekborg | ... | Simson, the coach driver |
| Toivo Pawlo | ... | Police Superintendant 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 |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Face (UK)
The Magician (USA)
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
100 min | UK:107 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | UK:PG (video rating) (2001) | UK:X
Filming Locations:
Djurgardsslaten 49-51, Skansen, Djurgården, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden more
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The character of Vergerus was based on critic Harry Schein who disliked Bergman's work. more
Quotes:
Johan Spegel: I've prayed one prayer in my life: Use me, O God! But He never understood what a devoted slave I'd have been. So I was never used... But that too is a lie. Step by step you go into the dark. The movement itself is the only truth. more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (16 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Ansiktet (1958)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| The Face or The Magician | kurosawa176 |
| Janus Films 35MM Print KC | MudFlapp |
| HELP!!! | MudFlapp |
| 'Vergerus' | cruzlee |
| intentional error in the ending? | heptaparaparshinokh |
| english subtitles | dianav |
Recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Fanny och Alexander | Gycklarnas afton | Picnic at Hanging Rock | Smultronstället | Tystnaden |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb Sweden section | Add this title to MyMovies |
Many people may have missed the satisfaction of reading the extra layer of meaning in this film: that the "magician" is the the filmmaker or visa versa, in this case Bergman himself. Without giving anything of the plot away, I can say that The Magician is a reflection on Bergamn's role as a creator of illusions. He uses the story of a roving theatrical troupe with an magician to illuminate the metaphor. The apparently abrupt turn of events at the end is Bergman's signal that he is the master of your perceptions in this medium, that he compares to the experience of dreaming.
It is interesting to compare this film with Fellini's 8 1/2, another filmmaker's reflection on the process and meaning of film-making. Two very different sensibilities are at work in these two films, but with surprisingly close parallels in their endings, and involuted plots.
I found this film highly satisfying on many levels, even taken at its apparent face value, as a romp. Seen a second time the illusionist begins to emerge more clearly, from the moment the film opens, with the lighting of the arc lamp of a film projector.