For more than 50 years, Ingmar Bergman (1918-2007) produced groundbreaking works of cinema that established him as one of the world’s most acclaimed, enduring and influential filmmakers. Ingmar Bergman: Volume 2, released by the BFI on 29 October 2021, is the second of a four-volume celebration of the auteur’s work – available on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK.

In the 1950s Bergman established himself at the vanguard of world cinema. Following his breakthrough success, Summer With Monika, he continued with a series of innovative productions, of which many are still considered among the greatest films ever made.

Presented over five discs, Ingmar Bergman: Volume 2 features eight landmark titles from 1951 to 1958. These include the Palme d’Or-nominated comedy Smiles of a Summer Night (1955), the introspective meditation on old age and human existence, Wild Strawberries (1957) and the iconic exploration of faith and death, The Seventh Seal (1957). The collection includes a selection of special features and is packaged with a 100-page perfect bound book.

The films in Volume 2 are:

• SUMMER INTERLUDE (1951) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Screenplay by Herbert Grevenius and Ingmar Bergman
• WAITING WOMEN (1952) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Screenplay by Ingmar Bergman
• SUMMER WITH MONIKA (1953) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Screenplay by P A Fogelström and Ingmar Bergman
• A LESSON IN LOVE (1954) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Screenplay by Ingmar Bergman
• SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT (1955) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Screenplay by Ingmar Bergman
• THE SEVENTH SEAL (1957) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Screenplay by Ingmar Bergman
• WILD STRAWBERRIES (1957) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Screenplay by Ingmar Bergman
• THE MAGICIAN (1958) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Screenplay by Ingmar Bergman

Ingmar Bergman: Volume 2 will be released as a Limited Edition Blu-ray box set on 29 October 2021 at the RRP of £59.99.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Five-Blu-ray set featuring 2K restorations of seven films and a 4K restoration of The Seventh Seal
• Audio commentary on The Seventh Seal by film critic and editor-in-chief of Diabolique magazine Kat Ellinger
• Karin’s Face (1984, 15 mins): Ingmar Bergman’s short film based on pictures from his personal photo album, particularly those of his mother, Karin
• Behind the scenes footage from The Seventh Seal (1956, 15 mins): rare silent footage with optional audio commentary by film scholar Ian Christie
• The Women and Bergman (2007, 29 mins): Eva Beling’s documentary featuring Bibi Andersson, Gunnel Lindblom, Pernilla August and Elin Klinga
• Original trailers (Summer With Monika and The Seventh Seal)
• 100-page perfect bound book featuring new essays by David Jenkins, Ellen Cheshire, Leigh Singer, Kieron McCormack, Philip Kemp, Jessica Kiang, Geoff Andrew and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

As well as being included in the Blu-ray box set, the 1957 The Seventh Seal will be released on 4K UHD and Blu-ray in a two-disc Dual Format Edition on 1 November 2021 at the RRP of £24.99.

Vividly recreating a medieval world tormented by plague and superstition, Bergman’s allegorical drama The Seventh Seal (1957) – centred on a knight (Max von Sydow), returned from the Crusades, who challenges Death to a game of chess in order to postpone his demise – remains fascinating (and finally rather touching) as a study of faith in crisis. Packed with powerful images, it punctuates its bleakness with moments of wry humour. A Jury Prize winner at Cannes upon its release, the film remains one of the must-see masterworks of world cinema.

The Seventh Seal will be the BFI’s very first Ultra High Definition (UHD) Blu-ray release. Available in this format for the first time anywhere in the world, the 4K UHD edition offers audiences the chance to experience this timeless classic like never before. This first foray into the UHD market by the BFI marks an exciting new chapter, with further releases set to be announced over the coming months.

UHD/Blu-ray features:

• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Audio commentary on The Seventh Seal by film critic and editor-in-chief of Diabolique magazine Kat Ellinger (2021)
• Karin’s Face (1984, 15 mins): Ingmar Bergman’s short film based on pictures from his personal photo album, particularly those of his mother, Karin (Blu-ray only)
• Behind the scenes footage from The Seventh Seal (1956, 15 mins): rare silent footage with audio commentary by film scholar Ian Christie (Blu-ray only)
• Original trailer
• ***First pressing only*** Illustrated booklet with new writing on the film by Jessica Kiang, film credits and notes and credits on the special features