Even if you've never seen it, chances are that you're still somewhat familiar with Ingmar Bergman's masterfully executed fantasy-drama, The Seventh Seal, which features that iconic game of chess with none other than death himself. On the wonderful cinematography alone, The Seventh Seal deserves a place on the list; indeed, Bergman shoots every frame of his picture with sharp, purposeful angles that make use of shadows and light to enhance the story. Sure, it's one of the more "heavy" pictures included here, but that makes it more worthwhile. Don't let the fact that it's in Swedish detour you from checking it out, either; there is something about the fact that the Seventh Seal is in another language that only enhances the "fantastical" nature of the movie. Max von Sydow stars as the main character, a highly disillusioned knight who moves through a plague-invested Sweden, whilst being pursued by the embodiment of death himself (which, yes, eventually leads to that infamous chess game). As a fantasy movie, or as an introduction to the works of Bergman, this is essential viewing for all film fanatics.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
