The Seventh Seal 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Seventh Seal" heralds a significant upgrade in visual quality, drawing from a 2018 4K restoration by the Swedish Film Institute based on the original 35mm camera negative. This meticulous process has birthed a native 3840 x 2160p resolution presentation, preserving the film's original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. Enhanced with 10-bit video depth, the release also supports High Dynamic Range (HDR), including HDR10 and Dolby Vision, utilizing the HEVC codec. Despite its vintage (1957), the image clarity presented is nothing short of astonishing, showcasing remarkable detail in skin textures, various fabric weaves, and the natural environment, bolstered by enhanced HDR lighting that accentuates depth and detail even in darker scenes.

Although the restoration has delivered an image that's significantly sharper and with superior greyscale compared to previous releases, some minor issues persist. Small traces of noise reduction have been noted, which while attempting to streamline visual consistency, occasionally produce unwanted side effects in darker areas and nuanced shadows, more discernible on larger screens. Moreover, despite the grandeur of the 4K presentation, it's observed that on the right edge of the frame, there exist faint but persistent white specks — a mild distraction that's absent from earlier editions. Comparatively, this 4K version significantly outperforms Criterion's previous efforts in brightness and detail resolution but retains a few scanning artifacts.

Criterion's choice to omit HDR in their release might dampen the potential depth and vibrancy achieved by the BFI’s HDR-graded version, which successfully extracted additional details from the film's picturesque compositions. Nonetheless, this new scan triumphs in delivering a substantially refined image, offering a more resolved grain structure and stabilizing the frame remarkably well. The restoration showcases an impressive leap over prior editions, revealing intricate details previously muddled or overlooked, thereby enhancing "The Seventh Seal's" visual narrative profoundly. Despite minor scanning issues and debates over HDR inclusion, this 4K UHD presentation stands as a pivotal achievement in preserving and elevating Ingmar Bergman’s cinematic masterpiece.

The audio presentation of "The Seventh Seal" on its 4K UHD Blu-ray release stands out primarily for its adherence to delivering a clean, unblemished audio experience. While the disc offers the film in its original Swedish in both LPCM 1.0 mono and a slightly broader 2.0 Mono LPCM format, it ensures that every aspect of the film's intricate auditory landscape is presented with clarity and precision. The dialogue, a crucial element of this cinematic masterpiece, is consistently clear and natural, ensuring that viewers can follow the existential inquiries and philosophical dialogues that define the film. Effects like the ambient sounds of nature and human activity are captured with a sense of authenticity, providing a rounded and immersive auditory experience without succumbing to background hiss or distortion.

Technical comparisons highlight the 4K UHD Blu-ray’s superiority in delivering a tighter, more defined audio presentation compared to its predecessors, notably the Criterion Blu-ray. There's an appreciable increase in treble clarity and overall cleanliness in the sound, moving away from the 'thick' and slightly 'muddy' audio character noted in 1080p releases. This improvement is particularly evident when utilizing a high-quality home theater setup, underscoring the meticulous restoration efforts undertaken for this release.

Subtitles on this release provide optional English translations that are easy to read and well-timed with the dialogue, despite a preference among some for the translation quality found on Criterion’s release. The technical layout of subtitles, displaying both question and response simultaneously, may differ from viewer expectations but remains a minor consideration. Overall, the audio presentation for "The Seventh Seal" on 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a faithful and high-fidelity auditory experience that complements the visual restoration, ensuring that both elements work in harmony to convey the film's profound narrative and thematic depth.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray extras of "The Seventh Seal" offer an impressive array of content that caters to both cinephiles and casual fans alike. Enhanced by the passionate and encyclopedic commentary from film critics Kat Ellinger and the scholarly insights of Peter Cowie, the disc provides a comprehensive exploration into Ingmar Bergman’s masterpiece. Special features like the behind-the-scenes footage, supplementary interviews including one with Max von Sydow, and Woody Allen’s personal reflections on Bergman enrich the viewing experience significantly. Additionally, “Bergman Island,” a feature-length documentary, dives deep into Bergman's career, presenting an invaluable resource for understanding the director's significant impact on cinema. The package not only preserves the technical excellence of the film with its high-definition presentations but also offers a curated selection of extras that enhance the understanding and appreciation of Bergman’s work.

Extras included in this disc:

• UHD Audio Commentary: With film-critic Kat Ellinger.
• Behind-The-Scenes Footage: With audio commentary by Ian Christie.
• Trailer
• Commentary: Audio commentary with film scholar Peter Cowie, recorded for Criterion in 1987.
• Bergman Island: A documentary by Marie Nyrerod on Ingmar Bergman’s long career.
• Afterword: By film scholar Peter Cowie, discussing "The Seventh Seal".
• Max von Sydow Audio Interview: Excerpts from interviews conducted by Peter Cowie.
• Woody Allen on Bergman: Woody Allen discusses his admiration for Bergman.
• Bergman 101: Peter Cowie discusses Ingmar Bergman's career with various multimedia aids.
• Karin’s Face: A 15-minute short film by Bergman.

Ingmar Bergman’s "The Seventh Seal," shot in storied black and white and released in 1957, remains a towering achievement in cinema, merging profound existential queries with a starkly beautiful aesthetic. At the heart of this masterpiece is Antonius Block (portrayed by Max von Sydow), a knight wearied by the futilities of the Crusades and grappling with a crisis of faith. Upon his return, he finds his homeland besieged by plague and despair, a bleak landscape that mirrors his own internal desolation. Yet, the film's essence is not solely entrenched in darkness; it also encompasses moments of hope and light, woven through the knight's encounters, particularly with a caravan of actors who embody the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Block's emblematic chess match with Death (Bengt Ekerot), an ingenious motif that encapsulates the film’s exploration of mortality, faith, and man’s quest for meaning.

Technically, "The Seventh Seal" is unrivaled, with Gunnar Fischer’s cinematography delivering images etched in the annals of cinematic history. The desolate beach where Block first challenges Death to a game of chess, the haunting procession of flagellants—each frame serves as a testament to Fischer's prowess and Bergman’s vision. Erik Nordgren's score complements the visual and thematic gravitas, enveloping the narrative in an aura that is both somber and stirring. The performances, led by Sydow’s compelling portrayal of Block, are uniformly exceptional, breathing life into Bergman’s philosophical screenplay with earnest vulnerability and nuanced depth.

"The Seventh Seal" stands as an indelible influence on the realm of arthouse cinema and beyond, challenging audiences with its existential musings while offering a cinematographic experience that is both visually arresting and emotionally resonant. It navigates the complexities of life, faith, and death with a rare blend of earnestness and artistic flair, securing its place not just as a hallmark of Ingmar Bergman’s illustrious career but also as a cornerstone in the edifice of world cinema.

Ingmar Bergman's "The Seventh Seal," a cinematic masterpiece known for its deep philosophical themes and striking imagery, has been presented in 4K UHD, garnering attention from cinephiles and tech enthusiasts alike. The 4K UHD release by BFI, which marks its first venture into this format, offers an unparalleled viewing experience. The native 4K image resolution illuminates the film's iconic scenes with an unprecedented level of detail, showcasing a greyscale that reveals subtleties previously unseen, coupled with a frame depth that brings every scene to life. The LPCM mono soundtrack complements this visual enhancement perfectly, being both clean and tight, ensuring that the film’s auditory aspects are as engaging as its visual ones. Despite the minimal extras included, they are described as immensely informative, enriching the viewing experience with valuable insights.

Criterion's 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack presents the film in its 2018 4K restoration, originally exclusive to the substantial "Ingmar Bergman's Cinema" box set. This allows viewers to experience "The Seventh Seal" in native 4K for the first time outside of that collection. While some may argue that the restoration could have been more spectacular, it remains the best presentation of the film to date. This release is essential for those without the comprehensive box set, contributing significantly to any collection despite some concerns about the restoration's execution. The qualitative leap from 1080p to 4K, although not overly dramatic, is undeniable and props up the film’s visual storytelling to new heights.

In conclusion, whether opting for BFI's pioneering UHD release or Criterion's detailed 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack, "The Seventh Seal" in 4K is a landmark accomplishment for home cinema enthusiasts. While the BFI release captivates with its stunning HDR grade and superior detail resolution, Criterion offers an excellent alternative with insightful extras. Both versions celebrate Bergman’s genius in high definition, making either a worthy addition to any cinephile's collection. Serious Ultra HD enthusiasts might lean towards the BFI version for its technical superiority; however, Criterion's release represents a significant upgrade for those yet to witness the film in 4K.