Well - we did it: we watched
The Seventh Seal in
RPE301 (Love, Sex and Death) this Monday. This post is to allow RPE301 students to post their comments - but others are welcome to join in to.
Now - many think of this Bergman film as depressing and dull. I really found it neither: it was quite funny (even without thinking about the excellent
Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey parody - but I will keep my opinions on the ethical profundity of Bill and Ted for another da
y..) -and rather optimistic - even cheerful..?
I am not sure how many will prefer the
Squire to
Block himself - but I think his balance to Antonius Block's seriousness and Jon's pragmatism is refreshing throughout. Of course, there is a lot that is pertinent to this module in here: esp in Block's pleas for those who
want to believe but can't..
Oh - there is some interesting analysis at
http://course1.winona.edu/pjohnson/h140/seal2.htm - with explicit reference to existentialism. I am not sure that I agree that it is a flaw in the script that Block does not have to sacrifice anything in order to find what he looks for (when he knocks the pieces over to aid the escape of the Acrobats/Players and child). Also - are you convined by the claim in this analysis that Block's ceaseless questioning prevents him from being able to
"hear the still, small voice of God"? Lots to comment on in this analysis though!
Dave
