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Download, Watch online Ansiktet aka The Magician Movie.
| Genres: | Dr |
| Starring: | Max von Sydow, Erland Josephson, Ingrid Thulin, Bibi Andersson, Gunnar Björnstrand, Naima Wifstrand, Bengt Ekerot |
| Director(s): | Ingmar Bergman |
| Available Quality: | iPod, Hi Def, Hi Def |
| Country: | Sweden |
| Year: | 1958 |
| IMDB Rating: | 7.7 |
When Voglers Magnetic Health Theater comes to town, theres bound to be a spectacle. Reading reports of a variety of supernatural disturbances at Voglers prior performances abroad, the leading townspeople (including the police chief and medical examiner) request that their troupe provide them a sample of their act, before allowing them public audiences. The scientific-minded disbelievers try to expose them as charlatans, but Vogler and his crew prove too clever for them.
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Ansiktet aka The Magician (iPod) | Resolution: 480x368 px | Total Size: 354 Mb |
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Ansiktet aka The Magician (Hi Def) | Resolution: 852x640 px | Total Size: 914 Mb |
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Ansiktet aka The Magician (Hi Def) | Resolution: 1440x1080 px | Total Size: 8131 Mb |
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Movie Photos: We have taken some photos of "Ansiktet aka The Magician". They represent actual movie quality.
Visitor Reviews: (16)
ian_harris 16 May 2012
Surprisingly Superb
I didn't expect to like this movie, given its period, headline subjectmatter etc. But don't let those factors put you off, there is real depthand some top notch scenes in this surprisingly superb movie. Max von Sydow, Gunner Bjornstrand and Ingrid Thulin are three of Bergman'smost consistent quality performers and all three have major roles in thisfilm. There are a fair number of stereotypical character parts, mostlyperformed by ensemble quality character actors. Bibi Andersson is capableof far more than her giggly girl part enables her to show in this film. Indeed, there is some comedic material in this film reminiscent of Smiles ofa Summer Night, but don't mistake this movie for one of Bergman's lessmasterful light pieces, this has real depth and substance.There are some amazing bits of cinematography, especially the early scenes. The pacing of the movie is masterful, as is the clever use of parallels inthe story - the failed actor "dying" and then reviving is a prelude to thepivotal incident around Vogler's "demise".Top notch scenes include Mrs Egerman opening up to Vogler - she seems solost - also both scenes in which Bjornstrand's character (Vergerus) insiststhat he was not taken in by the "magic".This is now in my Bergman top 5, which makes it a "must see" in mybook.
Tim Kidner 15 May 2012
"Light" Bergman?
Some reviewers have set themselves out to compare The Magician squarelyagainst Ingmar's previous two masterpieces, The Seventh Seal and WildStrawberries and mark The Magician down, unfairly. It almost cannot bepossible to attain the dizzy heights of adulation of those two and assuch, we are treated something lighter and possibly, more enjoyable.Mr Bergman, in his long illustrious career covered many types ofsubjects. Starting with straightforward and rather dull dramas, throughkitchen-sink (Ikea style?!!) and onto the darker shades of humanpsychology. And beyond, sometimes.The Seventh Seal succeeded due to its extraordinary storytelling andimagery - along with just about everything else. Wild Strawberries dueto its poignancy and leading performances that resonated with a senseof recognition and support in its audience. Other titles offer dark,deep blackly brooding death obsessed monologues that brush againstexquisite period dramas of superb detail and cinematography.The Magician, though has always been one of my favourites. Neithercomedy nor horror film but light, often humorous drama that touchesupon the Wonder in us all. We all want to see behind a master ofillusion and the mixture of nostalgia, set in the comparativelyfairytale setting of Scandinavia. I almost find it more akin to ConanDoyle than the witch- hunting or almost unfathomable symbolisms foundin many other Bergman's. As Bergman is one of my favourite directors of all time, warts and alland have 47 of his films I'd say this has much to offer, both to fanssuch as myself as well being good family entertainment that strengthenshis cinematic arsenal, not weakens it.
Galina 12 May 2012
"The Tortured Soul of an Artist or Smiles of a Summer Night meets Hour of the Wolf."
With the exception for the abrupt and somehow rushed and unsatisfyingending, "Magician" is a typical (in a good sense of the word) Bergman'sfilm that I liked a lot. I would call it "The Tortured Soul of anArtist or Smiles of a Summer Night meets Hour of the Wolf." I did notknow what to expect from the film and was pleasantly surprised by aninteresting story; impressive (especially in the earlier scenes in thewoods) black and white cinematography; perfect blend of humor, intensedrama, and mystery. Acting was perfect - not a big surprise with thecast like that: Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, BibiAndersson, and Erland Josephson. I'd like to mention Naima Wifstrand asGranny Vogler - what a great actress and what a character - she steppedout from the pages of the fairy tales, the old witch, wise andpowerful; she also provides many comical scenes.7.5/10
mariacarbunaru-1 11 May 2012
the ending is the best part
I don't think the ending was disappointing at all! What really strokeme in this movie, what I find the best - is the final part, for all itsturning points. Vergerus and the others SEEM so triumphant and theMagician so humble, but just seconds before Vergerus was trembling withfear and almost denying his lifelong convictions. The humble one hadmastered all of them before. I think the whole movie is about illusionand how people are eager to believe in magic. The hosts find themselvesvery powerful in the end, but probably the same story will go on at theking's court now. The magician succeeded with his act, quite because hewas exposed in the end. It wouldn't have been such a great thing for areal magic - empowered person to scare them. But they were allfascinated by actors / director, really... what a great performance!the film viewer himself was in for the game. A charlatan, yes, but whata dangerous one. The hosts lose after all, having been deceived bysomeone so weak...
cheese_cake 11 May 2012
what is art if not magic?
a group of people is touring the countryside in a coach. they include apurported magician (max van sydnow), his wife/assistant, an old cronewho they refer to as grandmother and who gives an impression ofpracticing witchcraft and a merry, complacently fat coachman. on theway they encounter a man who is dying of alcoholism, who stirs up somedeep feelings in the magician. when they reach a city, the man dies andthey fall in the clutches of the city magistrate on account of this andother matters. the elite of the city bands together to watch themagician's magic show. they mock the magician cruelly, accusing him ofbeing a charlatan, a fake. after the show, the magician plays a seriesof tricks on the parties, which scares the hell out of them, and makesit seem like supernatural forces are present among them. but, in theend, his tricks are revealed and in an astonishing moment, the magicianforgetting all his dignity and composure, grovels for a few kronor's(dollars). not getting even a single kronor, they are threatened withjail if they don't get out of town immediately and henceforth continueon their journey. many people do not get this movie, given that theartist/magician is shamed at the end. but that pivotal scene is totallymisunderstood...bergmann's movie's work on many levels and that whichis presented plainly is often the least plain, much like the magician'smagic. the magician/artist is correctly depicted as being unsure ofwhether he really is an artist or a fake. the conflict within him ispart of being a real artist. bergmann's point was that art and magicare similar. illusion is but a feint, a parry in a different direction,while the audience is lured unsuspecting into a bigger trap, which whenrevealed is devastatingly powerful in what it says about their psyche.the magician's magic is concerned not with tricks but with subtlepsychological manipulation. when the extent of his psychological graspis revealed in the end, he is immediately hated, because he understoodhis audience better than themselves. their whole mirage of being thesuperior scientific elite is shattered. about the only complaint onecould make about this movie is that the magician is overly tormented.as in other bergman movies, one wonders what is the source of thistorment. while it could be explained, it's best to enjoy thisadditional hue to the wonderful masterpiece, that is this movie, andlet it percolate in your psyche. it goes without saying that theperformance of the actors was superb, really exemplary. as was thecinematography. you will not see better cinema than this.
sol- 10 May 2012
My brief review of the film
An appropriately mysterious Gothic tale with fascinating characters,who may or may not actually possess certain powers, the material isenvisioned well by Ingmar Bergman, with careful attention to lightingdesign, and the acting is superb. Max Von Sydow is given the mostintriguing part to play, and he pulls it off well, but Ingrid Thulinand Naima Wifstrand both deserve mentions for breathing life into theirfey characters too. The film is about illusions ultimately, and thosewho are too critical to suspend their disbelief. It is a bit hardthough interpreting exactly what Bergman intended by some of theoddities that he has placed in, such as dispersing poison to a youngman. Are these attempts to add humour to the tale? Even with these oddinclusions and rushed ending that is a let down, it is quite asatisfying film overall. The music is great, the acting is excellent,and the interesting characters help make this film one of Bergman'smost intriguing pieces.
runamokprods 07 May 2012
Imperfect Bergman is still better than almost anyone else's best
An outstanding looking, very odd mix of somewhat broad comedy, horrorfilm, and (of course) Bergman's metaphysical musings. A band of traveling magicians, wanted by the law as charlatans, arepulled in for questioning and forced to perform for some upper classnon-believers. The 'nothing-in-life is-what-it- seems' theme is strong,but does get repetitive, and at times you can see it coming. Also, on first viewing the elements didn't really feel like they fittogether, and I found it a bit of a bumpy ride. The comedy made thedark side hard to take seriously, and the serious, creepy elements madethe comedy feel all the more wedged in.That said they are a some amazing sequences that I know will stick withme, and I do feel haunted by the film. Many call it a masterpiece orclose, and I'll certainly see it again.
pontus-13 07 May 2012
Magical cinema
A wonderful film about Emanuel Vogler and his Magnetic health theater thatare forced to put up a magical show in front of a sceptical crowd lead bythe scientist Vergérus (another member of the Vergérus family, known fromother Bergman films). Max von Sydow plays Emanuel Vogler, the tormentedartist putting his faith in art and Gunnar Björnstrand the dissecting,denying scientist Vergérus.It's said that Emanuel Vogler is based on Bergman himself, Vergérus on theSwedish film critic Harry Schein and Manda Vogler on Inrid Thulin.Still waiting for this and other Bergman films to be released onDVD.10/10
JohnRouseMerriottChard 06 May 2012
I didn't die, but I haunt the living.
Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater rolls into town and is promptlysummoned for a meet with the town big wigs. Hoping to expose allinvolved in the theatre as charlatans, the disbelievers request apersonal show before allowing the show to go public. With veryinteresting results.There is a belief amongst many Ingmar Begman fans that Ansiktet {TheMagician} is far too accessible a piece to be considered one of hisgreatest pieces. And whilst it does find Bergman more easy tounderstand for the casual viewer, it's however still complex enough tothrill and niggle the mind in equal measure. Taking two factors that hevery much adored, masks and magic, Bergman threads them off intovarious directions, and in the process testing us the audience as tojust what to expect from the story. The mysterious wonder of it all isnaturally aided by Bergman's use of light and shadowy trickery, symbolsloom heavy without dampening the theme on offer, with nothing of courseactually quite being as it seems.As is normally the case under the master director, the cast areuniformally strong. With Gunnar Bjornstrand and Ingrid Thulinparticularly standing out. But really this is all about tricks andideas relating to magic and its blending in with reality. So much sothat with the end comes an awakening that we the audience are indeedprops in one of Bergman's shows, and that can never be a bad or even anaccessible thing.A fascinating picture from a very fascinating director. 8/10
straiton 05 May 2012
satisfying on many levels: a reflection on Bergamn as illusionist
Many people may have missed the satisfaction of reading the extra layerof meaning in this film: that the "magician" is the the filmmaker orvisa versa, in this case Bergman himself. Without giving anything ofthe plot away, I can say that The Magician is a reflection on Bergamn'srole as a creator of illusions. He uses the story of a rovingtheatrical troupe with an magician to illuminate the metaphor. Theapparently abrupt turn of events at the end is Bergman's signal that heis the master of your perceptions in this medium, that he compares tothe experience of dreaming. It is interesting to compare this film with Fellini's 8 1/2, anotherfilmmaker's reflection on the process and meaning of film-making. Twovery different sensibilities are at work in these two films, but withsurprisingly close parallels in their endings, and involuted plots. I found this film highly satisfying on many levels, even taken at itsapparent face value, as a romp. Seen a second time the illusionistbegins to emerge more clearly, from the moment the film opens, with thelighting of the arc lamp of a film projector.
flipshoes 05 May 2012
One of Bergman's weaker efforts
I appreciate Bergman's mastery of cinema very much, especially hisinimitable ways of story-telling, together with the splendidphotography of Gunnar Fischer or Sven Nykvist, and - always - amagnificent cast of first-rate actors. Undoubtedly, "Wild Strawberries"or "The Seventh Seal" are classics of world cinema.And with regard to the cast and cinematography, "The Magician" is noexception to this appreciation. - However, I do feel a bituncomfortable each time a touch of humour comes up in Bergman films. Inmy humble opinion, these movies mostly haven't aged so well - be itthat our sense of humour has changed over the past 50 years, be it thatBergman's humour might seem a bit forced, in the first place. Myoverall impression of "The Magician" is that of a fairly heterogeneousmovie with a tremendous beginning, then with several changes of mood(and BTW large plot holes, as well), and finally a rather unfittingending. In my opinion (I truly hate to say so): one of Bergman's weakerefforts.
Hitchcoc 04 May 2012
We're on Stage with the Magician!
I'm slowly making my way through the Bergman canon (thank you Netflix)and am having a ball. I saw this film about forty years ago and forgothow captivating it is. Things are not as they seem anywhere in thismovie. People die and come back to life, some can speak and then theycan't. It has great villains and an incredible cast. Of course, it'sthe story of a group of traveling showmen who arrive at the home ofsome wealthy people. They are seen as an inferior class and are forcedto grovel before they can earn their livings. They participate inbyplay with those who have come to see them (some from the localvillage), including he servants. There is sexual activity and a lot ofmanipulation. When the actual magic show begins, we are in on some ofthe tricks, but others are unexplainable. These people seem able to acton the minds of the characters and get them to expose their dirtysecrets. But, as we see, there are other forms of magic, not just thedark kind. Watch this a couple of times. You won't be disappointed.
yabullar 02 May 2012
Religious symbolism in Ansiktet (The Magician)
Most of Ingmar Bergman's films are meant to titillate the intellect.The Magician is no exception. It is rich with symbolism. I think itranks right up there with "Death in Venice" on the list ofmisunderstood movies.I believe the most rewarding level of meaning in "The Magician" is thereligious one. Bergman was often concerned with the implications ofreligious beliefs. And almost always from the attitude of doubt.Consider the lines in The Seventh Seal where the vicious monk, annoyedwith the knight's persistence, asks, "Will you never stop askingquestions?" and the knight replies resolutely, "No. Never."Watching this movie with the idea of Vogler as Jesus provides aperspective that informs the characters and their conduct. Thismelancholy magician, doubted and persecuted by the powerful, surroundedby strange and suspicious persons, is simultaneously visionary andearthy flesh and blood. He only wants to perform his miracles for themasses. Or is he a charlatan? What a powerful way to pose thatquestion.
Claudio Carvalho 02 May 2012
A Great Duel Between Science and Magic
In 1846, the Albert Emanuel Vogler (Max Von Sydow) and his magnetichealth theater is moving in a coach to Stockholm, escaping from theaccusation of charlatanism. By the way, they find a very sick drunkenman on the road and give a lift to him. The drunk wants to die, torelease his spirit from the spoiled body. The man dies along thejourney. Near the border, they are forced to present their show to agroup of skeptical persons, leaded by the local chief of police, theconsul and the scientist Vergérus (Gunnar Björnstrand) and theirfamilies. There is a great confrontation between magic and science.This movie has a great performance of the whole cast and a great blackand white photography. The story, about reality x illusion, is veryattractive. The VHS released by the Brazilian distributor Continentalis a shame. It seems to be filmed from an English projection, havingblack stripes covering the English subtitles and trembling image.Unfortunately, this is the unique option I have in Brazil to possesssuch a film in my collection. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): 'O Rosto' ('The Face')
Django6924 30 April 2012
Weaker Bergman?
It's not Bergman as his most tormented or saturnine, but it'sthoroughly entertaining, more theatrical (in a good sense) than sayPersona or In a Glass, Darkly, and still an unqualified masterpiece ona level of artistry that no one making films today seems to be able toachieve. It makes me think in some ways of Shakespeare's plays like theHenry IV with their mix of tragedy and comedy--all done with tremendousshowmanship. I'll bet Orson Welles admired this film-- if he ever sawit.Bergman seems almost forgotten today. Films like this one, Naked Night,Hour of the Wolf, Persona, etc., hardly ever crop up on TV or filmfestivals. When Bergman is represented, it's usually by The SeventhSeal (not my favorite, and a film that begs for a parody), WildStrawberries, Smiles of a Summer Night (because of the musical version,no doubt), or Fanny and Alexander, which is more recent, and mostimportant, in color. What a pity. The man created a body of workvirtually unsurpassed in the second half of the 20th century.
planktonrules 29 April 2012
a Bergman film that's not depressing or about death!
I've seen a lot of Ingmar Bergman films and sometimes I don't want tosee one of his films about death or mental illness. Well, starting inthe 1960s to the 1980s, these were the main themes of his movies, butin some of his earlier films, these are not so pervasive--such as themovies The Devil's Eye (a comedy) and The Magician ("Ansiktet").Because of this, they may be more approachable to the average viewerwho would balk at the much more serious tone of such classics asThrough a Glass Darkly (deep depression), Persona (mental illness),Autumn Sonata (repressed anger and abandonment), The Seventh Seal(death and the plague) or Fanny and Alexander (child abuse andemotional neglect).The story is about a traveling group of hoaxters who put on a showcombining magic and "animal magnetism" (i.e., an early name given tohypnosis). When they arrive at a Swedish town, they are forced to cometo an audience with the local official and his cronies who want toprove that the act is a fraud. Bergman really doesn't try to resolvethis issue, but instead shows how the town officials are really ratherpetty and mean people. How this traveling group deftly survives thisencounter is the main focus of the movie. I especially liked theportion of the movie about the autopsy. It sounds gross, but I thoughtit was actually kind of funny. One of the officials is a cold andrather nasty doctor who longs for a chance to do an autopsy on thehypnotist. He gets far more than he bargains for--that's all I reallywant to say--otherwise it might ruin the suspense.So, overall I liked the movie. It was not great but well acted and notthe least bit depressing.