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(out of 5)
Max von Sydow is excellent as a conjurer who travels the countryside performing for villagers to make his living. He and his troupe arrive in a small town hoping to set up their spectacle, but the townsfolk have heard of their reputation for causing trouble and so request a sample of their show before allowing them to stay. The meticulously-designed sets and lush black-and-white photography makes it among Bergman’s most beautiful films, but the story isn’t as heavy as his usual fare and therefore isn’t as effective as it should be.
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Screenplay by Ingmar Bergman
Cinematography by Gunnar Fischer
Produced by Allan Ekelund
Music by Erik Nordgren
Production Design by P.A. Lundgren
Costume Design by Greta Johansson, Manne Lindholm
Film Editing by Oscar Rosander
The Criterion Collection
