The Seventh Seal poster

The Seventh Seal

The story of a challenge to death.

8.1(3,485)19571h 36m18

When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof and his wife, Mia, and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.

Share WhatsApp Telegram
Status
Released
Budget
$150K
Box office
$311.2K
Language
Swedish
  • witch
  • dying and death
  • blacksmith
  • chess
  • countryside
  • allegory
  • crusade
  • artist
  • juggler
  • witch burning
  • last judgment
  • symbolism

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

Sweden

Gallery

Still from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh SealStill from The Seventh Seal

Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • TheatricalNR13 Oct 1958
    • PhysicalBlu-ray20 Nov 2018
  • United KingdomGB

    • TheatricalPG24 Oct 1957
  • AustraliaAU

    • PhysicalPG26 Aug 2005
  • CzechiaCZ

    • Theatrical (limited)15+Film clubs only1 May 2004
  • DenmarkDK

    • Theatrical1529 Jan 1960
  • FinlandFI

    • TheatricalK-1626 Sept 1958
  • FranceFR

    • PremiereCannes Film Festival2 May 1957
    • TheatricalTP17 Apr 1958
    • PhysicalDVD26 Jan 1999
    • Digital / OTTVOD23 Aug 2011
    • PhysicalBlu-Ray15 Oct 2013
    • Theatrical (limited)Re-release26 Sept 2018
    • Digital / OTTNetflix1 May 2021
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical1614 Feb 1962
  • GreeceGR

    • Theatrical2 Jan 1960
    • Digital / OTT1 Aug 2019
  • ItalyIT

    • Theatrical5 Aug 1958
  • JapanJP

    • TheatricalG9 Nov 1963
  • NetherlandsNL

    • Physical12DVD16 Jun 2004

Frequently asked questions

The Seventh Seal was released on 16 February 1957.

Audience reviews

3
  • A

    Andres Gomez

    1/4/2013

    8/10

    Interesting and iconic movie about faith and the meaning of life. A must seen.

  • F

    Filipe Manuel Neto

    7/5/2023

    8/10

    **The universality and invincibility of Death, the fear of dying, the importance of faith and its use by the Church in a timeless film, but not suitable for everyone.** The film, set in the late Middle Ages, begins with a knight returning to his homeland in Sweden after participating in the crusades. When he spots the figure of Death, who has come to get him, he decides to try to gain time by inviting her to play …

  • C

    CinemaSerf

    8/10/2025

    7/10

    Now of course everyone’s favourite Max von Sydow film is “Flash Gordon” (1980) but I reckon this performance for Ingmar Bergman might be almost as good! With the dreaded Black Death sweeping his homeland, “Block” (MvS) returns from the Crusades with his squire “Jöns” (Gunnar Björnstrand) only to find himself barely off the boat before he encounters the apparently quite reasonable grim reaper himself. “Block” invites …

Member reviews

Sign in to rate and review. Browsing stays free and open.

Sign in

Member comments

0

Sign in to post a comment. Browsing stays free and open.

Sign in

More like this