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From Amazon.co.uk
Fanny and Alexander is one of the more upbeat and accessible films from Ingmar Bergman. This autobiographical story follows the lives of two children during one tumultuous year. After the death of the children's beloved father, a local theatre owner, their mother marries a strict clergyman. Their new life is cold and ascetic, especially when compared to the unfettered and impassioned life they knew with their father. Most of the story is seen through the eyes of the little boy and is often told in dreamlike sequences. Colourful, insightful, and optimistic, this is far less grim than most of Bergman's work. It was awarded four of the six Oscars for which it was nominated in 1984, including Best Foreign Language Film. Though this was announced as his last film, Bergman continued to work into the late 1990s, though mostly for Swedish television.--Rochelle O'Gorman, Amazon.com
Product Description
Set in Sweden at the turn of the century, Ingmar Bergman's semi-autobiographical story tells of young sister and brother Fanny (Pernilla Allwin) and Alexander (Bertil Guve), whose comfortable lives change dramatically when their father dies onstage during a performance of 'Hamlet'. Their mother marries a puritanical bishop and the new family move into the bishop's draughty home, where the children are mistreated and their mother becomes consumed with regrets. The film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction.
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52 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Please note that this is a review of the Criterion Collection five-hour television version, released on five DVDs.
The Film: If you have found your way here among the Amazon listings, then it is unlikely that you do not already know that this is one of the finest productions ever committed to film. No superlatives can exaggerate the brilliance and depth of "Fanny and Alexander". Here are Bergman and Nykvist working at the absolute height of their powers to produce the warmest, most visually rich and profound storytelling that they have ever given us. It is not as bleak as some of Bergman's earlier films (although there are some disturbing scenes) but the overall impact is uplifting and deeply moving. This is an unusual film that uses a large cast to tell the intricate story of an extended theatrical family in Uppsala in the early years of the 20th century. All of this is seen through the eyes of the two children; the Fanny and Alexander of the title. I saw the film on its' first release more than 20 years ago in both the emasculated theatrical release and in the five hour version made for Swedish television. I was stunned by it then and have been bowled over by it once again in this wonderful new release.
The DVD: I was amazed to find what else was included in this set when it arrived, as the description gave few clues. The presentation of the films is faultless; a real labour of love. The sound is superb and the whole thing has a visual beauty that is extraordinary. Even the Main Menus are finely done, in keeping with the tone and mood of the films themselves. The English subtitles seem good; although not perfectly accurate and Americanised in places.... Read more ›
The Film: If you have found your way here among the Amazon listings, then it is unlikely that you do not already know that this is one of the finest productions ever committed to film. No superlatives can exaggerate the brilliance and depth of "Fanny and Alexander". Here are Bergman and Nykvist working at the absolute height of their powers to produce the warmest, most visually rich and profound storytelling that they have ever given us. It is not as bleak as some of Bergman's earlier films (although there are some disturbing scenes) but the overall impact is uplifting and deeply moving. This is an unusual film that uses a large cast to tell the intricate story of an extended theatrical family in Uppsala in the early years of the 20th century. All of this is seen through the eyes of the two children; the Fanny and Alexander of the title. I saw the film on its' first release more than 20 years ago in both the emasculated theatrical release and in the five hour version made for Swedish television. I was stunned by it then and have been bowled over by it once again in this wonderful new release.
The DVD: I was amazed to find what else was included in this set when it arrived, as the description gave few clues. The presentation of the films is faultless; a real labour of love. The sound is superb and the whole thing has a visual beauty that is extraordinary. Even the Main Menus are finely done, in keeping with the tone and mood of the films themselves. The English subtitles seem good; although not perfectly accurate and Americanised in places.... Read more ›
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is Ingmar Bergman at his best and most accessible.The film literally glows and the DVD version does this quality justice.
It is a very long film (5 hours), so watch it over two sessions. I guarantee after watching the first disc you will hardly be able to wait to see the second. One can only echo the quote from The Times 'Extraordinary cinematic magic'.
Surely it ranks besides the finest films ever made.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
188 minutes of a 5 hour movie??? Buy the Artificial Eye or Criterion (Region 1) releases, this release is a joke!
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Jim Todd
Format:DVD
First to say: Fanny and Alexander is my favourite film of all time. But pretentious as it is to say this, you need to see the longer version. The difference is not just a case of a couple of shots being a bit shorter, it's not just a case of a couple of irrelevant scenes being taken away, it's not just indulgences for Bergman fans. The character of Emily Ekdahl has some crucial monologues that are cut which show her to be a very different and much deeper character. Two scenes -a conversation between the priest and the uncles and a dream that Alexander has- are two of my favourite sequences in any film, ever. Are they "integral" to the "plot"? No. They're just incisive and beautiful.
It's cool that this thing has been remastered! But get the region 1 boxset. It has the excellent making-of as well.
It's cool that this thing has been remastered! But get the region 1 boxset. It has the excellent making-of as well.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Rune Kühl
Format:DVD
Bergman's Fanny and Alexander is a masterpiece not to be missed! But there are two versions of the film, the 5 hour TV version and the 3 hour cinematic version. The latter was made solely to help finance the complete film and is no match for the complete version. In fact there is no reason why the short version should be on DVD at all - so go for the long version or the box sets containing both versions.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By David Welsh
Format:DVD
Bergman's "last film" (he came out of his cinematic retirement in 2003 to make Saraband, a follow-up to Scenes from a Marriage), which he himself described as "the sum total of my life as a film-maker" is the semi-autobiographical story of a year in the life of a well-off middle-class theatrical family. The length of the film is undoubtedly daunting, but this five-hour cut was the version shown on Swedish television (the cinema release was only three hours, but Berman wasn't happy with the cuts he had to make to get it down to that length), and is in four episodes each of just over an hour and so can be watched in 2 or 4 more manageable sittings. This is a beautiful and tender film which brings together all the main themes Bergman had been exploring throughout his nearly 40-year career in the cinema, and was his personal favourite of all the films he made.
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
THE MOVIE:
Having very little basis for comparison (since my only prior exposure to Bergman has been The Seventh Seal and Scenes From a Marriage), I don't feel qualified to judge this film against a "Bergman standard," but I do, however, doubt that he has directed another movie as perfect as Fanny and Alexander (F&A), although Scenes From a Marriage is close. Classic movies tha are great on the whole may suffer from bad acting, directing, or even whole scenes that briefly go out of focus. That, however, is not the case with this film. It draws one in and keeps one alert and interested throughout. The directing and acting is mostly superb.
The story revolves around a wealthy Swedish family who run the local theater in Uppsala, and the severe upbringing of siblings F&A in the early 1900's (the story begins on Christmas, 1907).
Bergman seems to have a unique talent for combining drama with horror, fantasy, and comedy--this I also found to be the case with The Seventh Seal, but in F&A, this talent is more strongly presented; one minute you can find yourself laughing at humorous --sometimes obscene-- acts and remarks, and the next you may find yourself feeling choked up or horrified. The film is very strong, very real, and strongly recommended to anyone who wants to experience looking at film on a whole new level.
Having very little basis for comparison (since my only prior exposure to Bergman has been The Seventh Seal and Scenes From a Marriage), I don't feel qualified to judge this film against a "Bergman standard," but I do, however, doubt that he has directed another movie as perfect as Fanny and Alexander (F&A), although Scenes From a Marriage is close. Classic movies tha are great on the whole may suffer from bad acting, directing, or even whole scenes that briefly go out of focus. That, however, is not the case with this film. It draws one in and keeps one alert and interested throughout. The directing and acting is mostly superb.
The story revolves around a wealthy Swedish family who run the local theater in Uppsala, and the severe upbringing of siblings F&A in the early 1900's (the story begins on Christmas, 1907).
Bergman seems to have a unique talent for combining drama with horror, fantasy, and comedy--this I also found to be the case with The Seventh Seal, but in F&A, this talent is more strongly presented; one minute you can find yourself laughing at humorous --sometimes obscene-- acts and remarks, and the next you may find yourself feeling choked up or horrified. The film is very strong, very real, and strongly recommended to anyone who wants to experience looking at film on a whole new level.
THE DVD:
I hate not being able to give this movie five stars, but I can't because of Artificial Eye's unprofessional presentation of it. The movie itself merits full points - 100/100, but the quality of the DVD doesn't. This is the only release of the five hour (TV) version of the film yet.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fanny och Alexander
Fanny and Alexander is by some distance Bergman`s most accessible film. It manages to be simultaneously epic and intimate. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Agnetha
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant blu-ray set of a brilliant work of art
As many already know, this magnificent Criterion blu-ray contains the film in two forms; the original,
longer TV mini-series, and a version trimmed down for theatrical... Read more
longer TV mini-series, and a version trimmed down for theatrical... Read more
Published 12 months ago by K. Gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, don't know why, watch in two halves
I must admit a little bit of trepidation here is it is an "arty" Bergman film. I shouldn't have worried. Read more
Published 16 months ago by G. Brooks
1.0 out of 5 stars
Where were the subtitles?!
I selected English subtitles, not speaking Swedish. Approximately 1 in every 7 sentences was subtitled, and I think that might be a rather generous approximation. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Em
5.0 out of 5 stars
Child witness to brutal adult realities
This is an absolutely beautiful film, from the point of view of a gifted boy during the time that his childhood certainties are washed away forever. Read more
Published on 16 May 2011 by rob crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the greatest films of all time
Masterpiece - watched this numerous times and it is truly one of the great films.
Pity this not a regular film on over Xmas on TV. Read more
Pity this not a regular film on over Xmas on TV. Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2010 by Mr. A. Buckle
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb Bergman!
An excellent film by the Swedish film maker Ingmar Bergman. The first half may be slightly long, but the second part is dramatic and makes the reviewing experience very worthwhile. Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2010 by Marianne Raynaud
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent movie .......
Possibly the most accessible and enjoyable of Bergmann's films this one is a true masterpiece.
Although lengthy the plot doesn't flag and the dialogue and sumptuous setting... Read more
Although lengthy the plot doesn't flag and the dialogue and sumptuous setting... Read more
Published on 24 May 2010 by P. Rubin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fanny and Alexander in REGION 2!
Many thanks to the seller of this DVD!! I USED to date a Scotsman and my computer ONLY plays region 2 dvds!! I'm fine with that because I can load them to my iPod! Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by Christina M. Calbone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of Fanny and Alexander
This must be one of my all time favourite films. I have been trying to get a copy for a few years but still had images from years ago of some of the scenes, especially the... Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2009 by Marlene film fan
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