SEVENTH SEAL What has been established is that the movie centers the main plot around one general question, or concept: “Why does anything exist, and should humans fear death?” “Bradshaw... disagrees with the argument that the movie could be claimed as “surreal,” because he thinks the movie uses only one general question to create a greater effect on the audience. The inquiry... is the main concern of the movie. [He] argues its greatness but in a different fashion than most audiences.” Brian Eggert had a similar view and was intrigued by the apparent symbol of death and argued the film’s irrelevantness if the viewer had a clear perspective welcoming death, “...in place of quotes, the reviewer’s views and opinions on religion are used to justify the theme of the film.” The topic of religion has always been touchy, and it had never before really been implemented into films. Many thought that to attempt would be a sure fail yet Bergman had the discipline to do so in an effective way. Dan Heaton welcomed the questions Bergman raised as refreshing, “He dislikes the fact that it is a slower moving movie with more symbolism within the actor’s roles versus actual humans with problems, but the greatness of the movie is made up for when Bergman bravely raises questions that few other filmmakers would attempt.”

What has been established is that the movie centers the main plot around one general question, or concept: “Why does anything exist, and should humans fear death?” Many thought that to attempt would be a sure fail yet Bergman had the discipline to do so in an effective way.

What has been established is that the movie centers the main plot around one general question, or concept: “Why does anything exist, and should humans fear death?” The topic of religion has always been touchy, and it had never before really been implemented into films. Many thought that to attempt would be a sure fail yet Bergman had the discipline to do so in an effective way.

A central element of the film’s importance is the skill and depth with which it explores a complex existential question One element scholars focus on, is the film’s exploration of one profound question, or concept: “Why does anything exist, and should humans fear death?” While films had portrayed and explored existential questions, and religion in the past, few – if any – had done so with such skill.

“Bradshaw... disagrees with the argument that the movie could be claimed as “surreal,” because he thinks the movie uses only one general question to create a greater effect on the audience. The inquiry... is the main concern of the movie. [He] argues its greatness but in a different fashion than most audiences.” Brian Eggert had a similar view and was intrigued by the apparent symbol of death and argued the film’s irrelevantness if the viewer had a clear perspective welcoming death, “...in place of quotes, the reviewer’s views and opinions on religion are used to justify the theme of the film.”

One element scholars focus on, is the film’s exploration of one profound question, or concept: “Why does anything exist, and should humans fear death?” Dismissing the idea that the film can be written off as “surreal,” critic Peter Bradshaw asserts that the film focuses on a single question in such depth in order to intensify its effect on the audience, and that this “inquiry” is the “main concern of the movie” (Bradshaw). Similarly, writer Brian Eggert argues that this inquiry allows the viewer to use their own “views and opinions on religion” to “justify the theme of the film” (Eggert)

Dan Heaton welcomed the questions Bergman raised as refreshing, “He dislikes the fact that it is a slower moving movie with more symbolism within the actor’s roles versus actual humans with problems, but the greatness of the movie is made up for when Bergman bravely raises questions that few other filmmakers would attempt.”

While films had portrayed and explored existential questions, and religion in the past, few – if any – had done so with such skill. And while in many films the fact that the characters are, as Dan Heaton says, “more symbolism” than “actual humans with problems,” is a substantial obstacle, Bergman is able to use them to raise questions that “few other filmmakers would attempt” (Heaton)

A central element of the film’s importance is the skill and depth with which it explores a complex existential question. One element scholars focus on, is the film’s exploration of one profound question, or concept: “Why does anything exist, and should humans fear death?” Dismissing the idea that the film can be written off as “surreal,” critic Peter Bradshaw asserts that the film focuses on a single question in such depth in order to intensify its effect on the audience, and that this “inquiry” is the “main concern of the movie” (Bradshaw). Similarly, writer Brian Eggert argues that this inquiry allows the viewer to use their own “views and opinions on religion” to “justify the theme of the film” (Eggert) While films had portrayed and explored existential questions, and religion in the past, few – if any – had done so with such skill. And while in many films the fact that the characters are, as Dan Heaton says, “more symbolism” than “actual humans with problems,” is a substantial obstacle, Bergman is able to use them to raise questions that “few other filmmakers would attempt” (Heaton)