MovieChat Forums > Fanny och Alexander (1982) Discussion > I Really Liked Bergman's 'Fanny'

I Really Liked Bergman's 'Fanny'

posted 14 years ago by Brian Scott Mednick
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I had seen this film years ago and remember not really liking it. In the past six months, I have been giving myself an extensive education of Bergman's films, seeing many I never have and revisiting those I did. I think Autumn Sonata and Scenes from a Marriage are his two best, with The Virgin Spring and Wild Strawberries next.

Fanny and Alexander may join the ranks of my favorite Bergman films after another viewing or two - it is tough to get through because it is so long, but it is worth it. The film is absolutely beautiful to look, a triumph of cinematography and production design. There are shots that could literally be framed and hung as art.

I could have done without the scene where the old geezer "entertains" the children with his act of flatulence. One would also be lead to believe that everyone in turn of the century Sweden only had sex fully clothed. But I digress. This is rich filmmaking and a story that gets more absorbing as the film progresses. Bertil Guve, who plays Alexander, is particularly gifted - a shame he never went on to an acting career after this.

While Bergman explores his usual themes of death, God, illness, and suffering, this film seems to have something that few of his films ever do - a sense of joy.

Like Bergman's best work, I have a feeling this is a film that will stay with me and require repeat visits.

[–] Strausszek 14 years ago

F&A would land on the top twenty list of greatest Swedish films ever, top five for some people, and I think it was a blessing to Bergman, to the actors and to cinema lovers everywhere that this rich, joyful film (as you put it, it's so life-affirming) could be funded and made without shrimping on the proceedings or the range of actors and incidents. I believe it remains the most expensive film ever taken on by any Swedish movie producers - companies from France and other places were involved too, but most of the money came from Sweden - and it was worth it, every shilling. Jörn Donner, a longtime friend of Bergman's, author, film maker, politician and head of the Swedish Film Institute at the time deserves big credit for making sure the film could be funded and shot in Sweden. He was the natural choice as main producer too.

Anna Asp, the prop buyer and scenographer, commented afterwards: "I guess we emptied every antiques shop in the country!" That's a slight overstatement, but it does look fantastic doesn't it? And as someone pointed out on this board, Sven Nykvist's photography has a real 3-D quality, it creates an amazing depth and multi-angle experience.

Mr.Hitler has made life very difficult for Shakespearian companies.