Did your mother make you watch The Seventh Seal at the age of 3? I didn’t think so. The slow dialogue, barren landscapes and Max von Sydow challenging Death to a game of chess were forever seared into my mind’s retinae.
Then again, I was probably the only child who consequently understood and laughed at the Muppet paean to Bergman known as Silent Strawberries. (A sketch in The Muppets Go To The Movies, Strawberries was directed by lesser-known brother, Gummo Bergman, in in which the Swedish Chef plays the Squire and Death is portrayed by none other than Beaker.)
Sam the Eagle: [translating from Muppet Swedish] Ah, well, since you do not wish death, then how about a rubber chicken?
Thanks, Ingmar, for the pre-adolescent memories.
My dad DID have me watch “The Seventh Seal”, along with “8 1/2”, when I was a young ‘un. Then, more recently, my husband had me watch “Fanny and Alexander”. Knew there was a reason why I married the man.
Besides, once you’ve seen “The Seventh Seal”, it makes the scenes with Death in “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” much, much funnier.
8 1/2 is on my Netflix queue, it’s been ages since I’ve enjoyed a good Fellini. Did you know Fanny & Alexander was more popular than The 7th Seal?
My personal Fellini faves are still “Nights of Cabiria” and “City of Women” – “No penetration! No penetration!” 8-)
Much like yourself, my parents were forever exposing me to their Euro tastes, and thus, Fellini’s loveletter to the luxe life became the more curious experiences as an 8-year-old. I can’t take credit for insider jokes, but I did know the origin of the name ‘papparazzi.’
I enjoyed this post very much. What a fine, unique tribute!