One of the greatest filmmakers, Ingmar Bergman, died at age 89. While his last theatrical film, Fanny and Alexander was made in 1982, Bergman continued making films for Swedish television through 2005. One of his more recent television films, Saraband received wide theatrical distribution. Bergman’s influence was most notable on Woody Allen who both spoofed the master filmmaker, and made films about existential angst in a similar style. The two actors most associated with Bergman, Max Von Sydow and Liv Ullman became international film stars in their own right. Bergman was nominated for an Academy Award nine times, both as a writer and director. The following is my list of the best of Ingmar Bergman. If you are not familiar with any of his films, this list should be a good place to start. The films are all available on DVD.

1. Persona (1966). Two women alone on an island, a nurse and a mute actress. Bibi Andersson talks, while Liv Ullman stays silent. A film about identity as indicated by the title. My nomination for Bergman’s best film.

2. Wild Strawberries (1957). Former pioneer Swedish filmmaker Victor Sjostrom plays a professor looking back at his life. The film is less depressing than it sounds. Max Von Sydow has a brief part as a gas station attendant.

3. The Seventh Seal (1957). A knight in the Middle Ages plays chess with Death. That image has become indelible and influenced Roger Corman on The Masque of Red Death.

4. Fanny and Alexander (1982). The story of a young boy and girl in early 20th Century Sweden, bookmarked by two big Christmas gatherings. This was a mini-series in Sweden, with the full version available on DVD. A shorter three hour version played theatrically.

5. Smiles of a Summer Night (1955). Bergman never made a laugh out loud comedy, but this film should at least put a smile on your face. Woody Allen did his own version as A Midsummer’s Night’s Sex Comedy. The film was also the basis for the musical A Little Night Music.