I just watched the scene 6 or 7 times on YouTube. (Link to clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1f7llGxkdc ) (Relevant clip begins at 2:15)
The scene I am discussing is where the witch is being burned and at what point in it, Death is. Now some people believe that he is the guy kneeling when the camera pans but that man is clearly wearing a cincture (or rope around his robe) which symbolizes that he is a member of the clergy.
In the background, in the cart, we see something there. Now, to me, that is not Death, but instead an empty black robe, possibly symbolizing something but I do not see the figure of Death in there. It appears to be an empty black robe, if it is that at all but I don't see anything in it. It appears empty and formless.
However, I do see Death but in a different place. Now, assuming, that it is two different shots, which I believe it is, when Jons and Antonius are making their speech about Emptiness and what is there for the poor child, if you look behind their left shoulder, there is a kneeling figure I which believe to Death. I could be wrong but I think it resembles Death the most, has no cincture, and would be the most fitting since they are discussing Emptiness and Death, for the character himself to be lurking right behind them.
Please watch the scene, it is only a minute and a half long, beginning at 2:15, and I think that together we can uncover the mystery, and my opinion is only one and I could be wrong, but I do think that Death is actually behind Jons and Antonius during the speech on Emptiness and pain, and not in front of them kneeling, but lurking behind them kneeling.
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Watched it, and I think you may be right. I wish the picture was clearer, though, because I do think I see a cincture on the figure it some point. It's out of focus, though, so I can't tell.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that death may or may not be, like, EVERYWHERE in this scene. To be honest the presence of death in the scene completely flew over my head until today's discussion. We may all be completely reading way too far into this, but after re-watching the scene, I wonder if this uncertainty about death's presence was Bergman's intention. Especially when you consider the fact that when Block is referred, in the beginning of this clip, to ask the Monk why they have broken her hands, the Monk turns out to actually be Death. I'm just rambling here...
It is always dangerous to assert that we are "reading too much into this" at least when Bergman is the director. However, my feeling is that death would not be kneeling and praying. That is out of character for him. There is a figure sitting in the cart in a black robe with a hood. That is where we last saw Death and that is what he was wearing.
ReplyDeleteWe know that a monk is present in the scene because the soldier tells us so. I don't know if he is shown on camera earlier in the scene. That might be worth looking at.
That is also a good point about Death possibly being everywhere, I didn't think of that, but that could certainly be Bergman's intent. Also, I wasn't sure if it was a cincture or not on that character, it was difficult to tell but that would also mean that there were two monks present. Interesting points about Death and the Monk as well.
ReplyDeleteI guess Bergman truly is a genius if he is making us think so much about a 1:30 of one film. Incredible!
I just watched the scene as well about 10 times and I still think it is Death sitting in the cart. The reason why it isn't just a black cloak layed out there is because if you look hard at it, the arm is actually slouched over the end of the cart making it hang down. Also as you say it is empty, I see more of a figrue to it, you don't see a face, but you can outline a body to the cloak...But interesting point on he is everywhere
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