Seventh Seal Confusion

Response

As I was watching this film I found it difficult to watch at times. I was also very confused. The language and subtitles threw me off and made it more difficult for me to follow. I also believe it posed a challenge because the storyline did not follow what I am used to seeing in most films today. One thing I did make were the religious connections in the film. Although I was not raised Catholic, I am somewhat familiar with biblical stories. I understood the fear of death and wish the desire to evade it. Also, after watching the film again and reading my critical article I was able to break down some of the ideas that I had completely missed after watching it the first time. Although I may not have been on the edge of my seat or deeply, emotionally engaged; I gained an appreciation for the unique artistry in which the director chose to convey his message throughout the film; which is a concept I am continuing to develop through this course. 

Critical Article Summary

In Peter Palmer's critical article of the film, he addressed the film as a whole piece. He analyzes Antonius and his journey in seeking meaning in his life. Antonius was a soldier in the Crusades and felt that the cause was not something he believed in. Palmer focused a great deal on death and its presences during the plague. During that time people encountered death very frequently, and something that was inevitable and unwanted. The juxtaposition of the certainty of death and Antonius's desire to find meaning in life were focal points throughout both the film and the article. Peter Palmer also brings to light the fact that Mia and Jof, who were not hyper-focused on these issues, were the ones who did not experience it in the film. 

Response to Article

This article not only helped me better understand the meaning of the film, it also helped me gain a deeper appreciation for the art of filmmaking and adjusting my view of how I interpret and enjoy movies. I was able to gain much deeper insight into symbolism. For example, the chess game was somewhat lost on me while watching the film for the first time. I learned that it was Antonius' way to avoid death (this also reminded me of Dorothy and her desire to escape her problems). It also made me reflect on my own opinion of death and religion. How these concepts drive a deep fear and drive within us. Fear of uncertainty and of repercussions. A drive to avoid our fears and to live in a way that society tell us is correct. Although these concepts may have been abstractly approached, The article and the film encouraged me to evaluate my own opinions. This is why I gained a greater fascination with the film. Bringing to light big ideas, big questions that push viewers to analyze their own ideals and the way they live their lives, is proof of the importance of films that break the norm we have become so accustomed to seeing. I also thought about the stylistic choices that evoked some sort of response within myself. 

Critical Frameworks

After reading the article I was able to better understand the frameworks in the film. The most important aspect I gained from this was the importance of symbols in relation to the message being conveyed. In this film, the chessboard and death are both very important pieces in helping the viewer grasp and absorb the struggle the character faces. I also believe the historical framework regarding religion elicits a visceral response because they are so closely tied to the meaning of life and how we choose to live and identify ourselves.  

Film Analysis:  REVISED

This scene begins with the introduction of Death and the knight.  The camera is directed towards Death, who is cloaked entirely in black. The weather appears to be overcast and bright gray. The juxtaposition of the bright background and Death’s black outfit work together to make him stand out and also make him appear to be very prominent. This dreary, ominous image sets the tine for regarding Death’s role throughout the film. Next, Death and the knight exchange some dialogue and the camera pans over to the knight. This view is very different. The knight is in lighter clothing and is kneeling on the ground. He is not overtaking his surroundings, and appears to be less threatening than death.  This reinforces Death’s prominence and suggests he may have some authority over the knight. The two continue talking and slow, dark-toned music begins playing in the background when death speaks. The camera also zooms in for an extreme close-up, making him appear menacing. The knight then challenges Death to a game of chess. The two sit down and the camera shows a side view of the two playing.  On Death’s side of the board, the sky appears to be neutral. However, on the knight’s side the sun is peaking out from behind a cloud, making a light appear. The colors reinforce the opposite roles of each character.

Works Cited:

Palmer, Peter M. "The Seventh Seal." English Exchange 11.3 (April 1969): 1-8. Web.