Big Bergman Book

Criterion mailed us a cop of Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema, which is TWO books, really. One is all Bergman’s movies, the other is essays on those movies. Fiona and I did one on ALL THESE WOMEN and THE DEVIL’S EYE, representing the Swedish maestro’s less-celebrated “flop comedy” phase. And we found much of interest and much to honestly enjoy in these off-the-beaten-path curios. Truly!

Fiona got in on the deal by suggesting a title, We Prefer the Early, Gloomy Ones, which I thought was terrific. Then she told me I could only use it if I credited her, which seemed awkward so I suggested she co-write the thing, which she did. Then Criterion came up with their own excellent title, Then As Farce, which is an easier reference to get and avoids the whole controversial Woody Allen thing.

Anyhow, the upshot is we have a lot of Ingmar Bergman to watch now.

Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema – Set [Blu-ray]

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