What is included in the 'Bergman Vol 4' box set?

The 'Bergman Vol 4' box set features projects from the end of Ingmar Bergman's career. It includes the extended TV series version of 'Fanny and Alexander', the film 'Autumn Sonata', 'Scenes from a Marriage', 'From the Life of the Marionettes', 'Cries and Whispers', a documentary called 'Faro Document', and a TV movie 'After the Rehearsal'.

Is 'Autumn Sonata' included in the 'Bergman Vol 4' box set?

'Autumn Sonata' is included in the 'Bergman Vol 4' box set. This 1978 film stars Ingrid Bergman in an Oscar-nominated role as a concert pianist who confronts her strained relationships with her daughters.

What is the main theme of 'Fanny and Alexander' in the box set?

'Fanny and Alexander', featured in the 'Bergman Vol 4' box set, is an enthralling saga about a family living in the early 20th century. The story captures the life of the family through the eyes of two young siblings, exploring themes of childhood, family, and the intersection of fantasy and reality.

How does the box set address the later part of Bergman's career?

The 'Bergman Vol 4' box set includes films and projects from the latter part of Ingmar Bergman's career, showcasing his continued exploration of complex interpersonal relationships and existential themes, despite concerns that this period might show a decline in his creative output. It proves that Bergman maintained a high level of artistic achievement until the end of his career.

Who would most likely appreciate the 'Bergman Vol 4' box set?

The 'Bergman Vol 4' box set is likely to appeal primarily to existing fans of Ingmar Bergman's work, due to its inclusion of less mainstream and more complex films from his later career. Newcomers might prefer a collection of his more widely recognized films from earlier years.

Bergman Vol 4 – Review

Film Reviews

By On: Yorkshire Magazine

26/04/2023

583

ingmar bergman volume 4 review cries and whispers

By Sarah Morgan

“Would you like to review six discs of Ingmar Bergman productions?” they asked. I tentatively replied, “Yes.”

Having seen much from the start of his career (a bit hit-and-miss, and rather samey in terms of subject matter and tone) as well as classics such as The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries (both excellent), I was slightly concerned about what I might find, particularly as the fourth volume of the BFI’s Bergman collection features projects from the end of the career, a period when many auteurs can be, for want of a better phrase, going off the boil a bit.

And, of course, Bergman has a reputation for being rather highbrow – even my dad asked, “did you understand them?” when I mentioned the boxset was on my ‘to-watch’ list. I think I’m slightly offended by the suggestion I might not…

“Impressive”

Anyway, I’m pleased to say I did grasp them. In truth, there’s nothing to be afraid of here, other than the running times of some of the entries – especially the TV series version of Fanny and Alexander, which is daunting, but still doable. I’d suggest, however, that it’s perfectly acceptable to only watch the cut-down film adaptation, which contains all the crucial elements in this enthralling and rightly lauded saga about a family in the first 10 years of the 20th century.

The other standout film in the release is 1978’s Autumn Sonata, which marked the final big-screen appearance of Ingrid Bergman (a namesake but not a relative of the director), in an Oscar-nominated role as a mother who has kept her two daughters at arm’s length while relentlessly pursuing her career as a concert pianist. Liv Ullman is just as impressive as her eldest offspring, who uses a rare meeting between the two to air her grievances.

I could live without seeing Scenes from a Marriage ever again (Ullman stars here too), which is the rather overlong dissection of the union between two once happily wed people. The follow-up, From the Life of the Marionettes, is far better, perhaps because it has a more dynamic plot, following a man with a murderous urge.

Fanny and Alexander

“Intriguing”

Also included in the set is Cries and Whispers (top image), a period piece about a group of sisters brought together by one of their number’s terminal illness; Faro Document, a documentary about the island of Faro (where Bergman shot several of his films) and, last but by no means least, After the Rehearsal, a TV movie focusing on the relationship between an exacting theatre director and his young star.

Each production is intriguing in its own way, but I suspect the set as whole will appeal only to existing fans of Bergman’s work. To attract newcomers, we’d probably need a ‘greatest hits’ boxset featuring a selection of key works from across his acclaimed career.

‘Bergman Vol 4’ is released by the BFI, £54.99