Watching The Seventh Seal again for the umpteenth time and it still moves me. The amazing thing about this film is that it actually works. Can you imagine trying to sell this film to a producer? He'd laugh you out of the office. It is a film that simply could never be made today, in the same way that a Van Eyck tryiptych will never be painted ever again. The era has passed.
I'm taken by how beautiful the print looks on the large screen, particularly with the new projector. Those of you who scorn Black and White may wish to rethink your aversion after you see this film in its entirety.
In the past, it was always the knight who was the focus of my attention. Perhaps I identified with his philosophical quest, his agonizing over the great questions. This time, I find Jons far more attractive, in all senses. His attitude, his humor, and even the way he looks. Strange how our sense of aesthetics changes with age. When I was younger, I thought he was ill-cast for the role of a tough, macho-man. He seemed delicate, somehow, and not convincing. Maybe I couldn't get past the leotards.
Nowadays, his vulnerability simply complements and adds nuance to his character. I particularly liked when he saves the girl and then gets annoyed when she's not grateful and doesn't thank him. Or when he gets unnerved by the description of the plague, but denies it.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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Being that it is only my 2nd time watching the film, I do not have as much experience in knowing and digesting all of the ideas and elements, but in the notes I have taken on the film, I would say that the number of notes I have taken for Squire Jons is greater than the notes I have taken for Antonius Block or any other character.
ReplyDeleteIt could be because you pointed him out more prominently in our first viewing last year but I must admit that I am noticing him more than Antonius so far in this film. I would say that Squire Jons has been more a force in the film in every scene with his presence except for the confession scene with Death, where Antonius was clearly prominent.
I found myself thinking the same thing watching the film today in class. My perceptions of the film have changed drastically the second time around thus far. I find myself more and more seeing Jons as a more meaningful character. At first I thought it was just because he was a more entertaining character, his scenes were funnier, he had better dialogue, etc. However, I think there is a deeper reason why people are more attracted to his character, especially when they understand more of the meaning of the film.
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority of people already know what is like to be the Antonius Block, the confused believer in God (or whatever your beliefs entail). Everyone, at some point in their life, has or will come to a point where they try to evaluate what this life means. Antonius is going through something that most people struggle with and continue to struggle with throughout their lives. Jons, on the other hand, seems to know exactly what he thinks of this life. His questions have all been solved, and he seems not to carry the burdens that Antonius does. I think that his appeal to most people is that he has accomplished what so many have failed at doing, which is coming to terms with his own mortality. Antonius Block is what people frequently experience, the uncertainty and doubt. Jons is what people aspire to achieve (more or less), he isn't afraid of death and he does not allow the fundamental questions of life and existence govern his entire life.
So far I am really enjoying this film, and Squire Jons is a major reason why. He's got so many amazing lines, and I love his brutish nature. I also love how beautifully this film is photographed. From the opening scene of a black bird looming overhead in a clouded sky, I knew I was going to like what this film had to offer.
ReplyDeleteI was definitley one of those people who admitted to hating black and white films at the beginning of this class...Believe me, I have definitley changed my mind.
ReplyDeleteChristina practically said everything I was going to say and more. Antonius Block is primarily concerned with what is awaiting him after death. He is desperately seeking a confirmation of God's existence, as he believes this is the only way to find meaning in one's life. Squire Jons, however, is more concerned with the philosophies affecting people during the span of their lifetimes, the influence religious belief (or lack thereof) has on a person's actions and choices and acknowledging what would be a waste of time.
I completely agree with the comments about Jons. What I don’t agree with is the notion that the Jof the juggler is the hero and ultimately wins the game, or as you said in class, plays it the best. Being a fool brings him no closer happiness than Block’s final questioning of death and getting the answer of, “I am unknowing.” Jof's is definitely the easiest way to live life – just passively getting by – but it is certainly not the most interesting and wholesome. For example, when he is in the bar and is accused by the drunkards of stealing the smith’s wife, he is completely helpless. And I don’t believe that is just because he is just physically not intimidating. The Smith, who is another one who drifts through life and just deals with each day at a time, is subject to the stupidity of others as well (when he “battles” the actor for Lisa). Jons, on the other hand, sees that stupidity and does all he can to remove himself from situation, both by assuming a macho persona and also by pleasuring himself with his drink and women. I think if you take freedom in degrees (yes, granted no one has the ultimate liberty of immortality) Jons scores the highest because while he sees that all is lost he embraces that existentialist philosophy of “no consequences” and can navigate his way through life avoiding the annoying things. He, if no one else, is above the fray.
ReplyDeleteBy the way Mr. Bennett, you can be damn sure that it was quite certainly death kneeling there in the background (in the cart) because whether she died at the moment we saw or will die later, he has to take her and every other time we see someone die in the movie death is either in the same frame (or for the unworthy guy who gets the plague and cries for water is in the next scene). It just wouldn't make sense if he wasn't there.
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