Sweden10 Essential Swedish FilmsStop 1 of 10

The Seventh Seal

Name: The Seventh Seal
Released: 1957

Det sjunde inseglet

1957

Returning disillusioned from the Crusades to a Sweden ravaged by plague, a knight plays a game of chess with Death itself, buying time to search for meaning and proof of God in a silent, dying world. Ingmar Bergman's iconic, profound masterpiece.

Why it’s here

Ingmar Bergman's Swedish medieval allegory and one of Sweden's world-cinema landmarks.

Return to the complete list Film notes Watch options

Part of 10 Essential Swedish Films

This film is stop 1 of 10 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through Sweden. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

Watching this film stamps Sweden in the 196 country film challenge.