The Magician

Made by Ingmar Bergman during his most fertile and prolific period, 1958's The Magician is an enigmatic chamber drama about a traveling medicine show fronted by Dr. Vogler (Max von Sydow), a mute mesmerist who enters into a battle of wills with minister of health Dr. Vergérus (Gunnar Björnstrand), a rationalist who considers the troupe a gang of charlatans and con artists. Vergérus is right, of course, and Bergman constantly draws attention to the showmen's phony potions and tools (from the magic-show apparatus to the makeup and costumes they wear onstage and off). But this story of sleight-of-hand versus reason is also another of Bergman's celebrations of the theater as both a confidence game and a beautiful mystery. The atmospheric imagery of Gunnar Fischer's magnificent black-and-white cinematography sets the stage for a spooky tale that takes a turn into mind games and earthy comedy, with Bergman appearing to embrace the cynics and rationalists equally. While less recognized than The Seventh Seal or Wild Strawberries (both made the year before), this is a witty and handsome production featuring Bergman's great company of performers, which also include Ingrid Thulin, Bibi Andersson, and Erland Josephson. Presented on DVD and Blu-ray in superbly mastered editions from Criterion, extras include a new visual essay on the film by Bergman scholar Peter Cowie, two archival interviews with Bergman, and a booklet with essays. Underrated and ripe for rediscovery, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)