Ingmar Bergman's Cinema (The Criterion Collection)

This is one of the best projects Criterion, or any company for that matter, have ever put out in film. There is a lot of material here, and it's all presented extremely well. Most of the material is from 2K scans, so there won't be a 4K set for a long long time. No need to worry about buying something will be dated anytime soon. This is one of the most significant collections every produced in film. It's that simple. The box comes with a large and wonderful book filled with copious photos and information about every film, a disc set with carefully outlined info on each film that is well put together and visually pleasing, and of course the box itself, which is a nice slipcase that is both thoughtful and provocative. Mine came in very good condition, about as good as you can expect from Amazon. Shipping in a larger box with the actual set in a smaller box sealing it well. No major issues. As to the content well you are getting the vast majority of Bergman's films here. From the first to the last, there will be something for everyone. Tons of material. TONS. And for the price on sale you really can't argue. I feel like Criterion could sell this for 250 and it would still do decently, but they smartly made the price in range of the majority of film buyers, so I feel this will be a popular set. There is nothing else to say here that hasn't been said by someone else. Criterion put a lot of care and love into this set, even designating Opening Night to Closing Night in an personal presentation of all the films you may choose to follow, arranging the films by theme and content for those not familiar with Bergman. It's all here in one beautiful package. I can't think of one collection that is more classically designed and perfectly cast into a product. Even Bergman would be happy with this. Stellar.

I was a bit suprised when the package came. The weight and size was more than I expected. This, however, is due to the rich contents. This is an amazing collection of movies and accompanied by a large book that is full of insight and spectacular pictures. I'm not yet head-over-heels with ALL the films. Stylistically, of course, they are superb - crafted by a real master. The content can be a bit challenging for my 21st century American mind. It might be necessary to watch these films with a detachment from current moral standards. Aside from that, Bergman's films are generally moody (but I think most people would know that going in). Sometimes they show their hand right away (a tragedy for example) and then the rest of the story takes us there. Often they are shocking. They can come across as very conventional or touch on avant-garde. There is no formula and yet they are all purely "Bergman." I'm over halfway through the entire collection and these films have not gotten trite or tiresome yet - that being said, I don't think by in large that they are terribly mind blowing (see Tarkovsky for that). But they are good. Typical Hollywood fare can get old and these are far from that path...which means they do not typically appeal to American audiences. The presentation, a large "binder" holding all of the movies - made of heavy duty card stock, a spectacular book and a handsome box, look great in my collection. Because I'm not typically a Bergman fan (at least I haven't been in the past) I thought I might regret this purchase. I DO NOT. If anything it is giving me a better scope on his films and broadening my appreciation. I am more than pleased with this purchase. NOT JUST FOR BERGMAN FANS. Any collector should acquire this, any film student would benefit and true cinema fanatics should really consider this collection!

This is an absolutely stunning release by Criterion. Particularly welcome for folk like me in the UK, who previously had so little of Bergman's work available on Blu-Ray (only a couple of his films are licensed for BR over here, and the individual US Criterion releases were Region A locked, whereas this box set - crucially - is Region Free). The set itself is a really handsome object: a monochrome slipcase made of substantial card - iconic image from Persona on the front, and the image of Ingmar on the back - and housing - * the inner booklet-style box of 30 Blu-Ray discs which host the 39 films plus substantial extras, and * a high-quality 250-page colour/BW book of A4 / US letter format The Blu-Ray transfers are nearly all up to Criterion's tip-top standards - I imagine the few that are slightly less impressive have issues with the source material. The films themselves - well I imagine if you're considering buying this you're already familiar with at least some of Bergman's output. Suffice to say that one of the 20th century's greatest filmmakers is represented here by nearly all of his work on film. I'm presuming the handful of absences are due either to licensing issues or to problems with the source material - but all of what are generally considered his foremost works are included. They range from the modern and experimental - Persona and The Rite - to the timeless and monumental - The Magician and The Seventh Seal. From the harrowing - Cries & Whispers and The Virgin Spring - to the light and delightful - Smiles of a Summer Night and Fanny & Alexander (pleasingly, both the 3-hour cinematic version and the 5-hour TV version of the latter are included). OK, you can't truly put a price on great art, but one other thing I feel has to be mentioned with regard to this set is the sheer value it represents. Criterion's individual high-quality Blu-Ray productions tend to retail at between $20 and $30 per film. The $150 I paid for this box works out at less than $4 per film - which is ludicrously good value, especially when you factor in the lovely and substantial book which accompanies the disc collection. The price point - and the Region Free formatting - makes it feel like the folk at Criterion made a constructive decision to make this work accessible to film lovers across the globe, and as someone who has been critical at times of their pricing, I feel credit is due. In short, this 100th Anniversary tribute really does justice to the oeuvre of a great director - and has almost immediately become one of the favourite things I own.

I am sitting here with this box-set on my table, absolutely blown away. I don't think I've ever received a product that has so impressed me. Even after reading many reviews of this box-set, I am stunned, surprised and delighted. Criterion has always produced excellent blu-rays (I own about 15, including two Bergmans, and they're all fantastic), but this time...they've outdone themselves. This has got to be the crown jewel in the Criterion collection, and to own it for a mere $150.00 is rather incredible. The packaging is superb: good materials, great overall design, clever way of arranging the blu-ray discs (none of them had fallen out when I opened the container, as has happened to some other people). The book is great, the quality of something you'd actually buy in a bookstore, versus the more normal (but still excellent) small booklets that Criterion usually includes with their blu-rays. The transfers themselves are impeccably done, and the extras, as you'd expect, are a joy to watch. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, this is a special moment in the history of cinema – to have practically the whole life's work of one of the greatest movie directors, in such a beautiful box-set, and at such a reasonable price. If you're even slightly tempted, I'd recommend you just buy it!

This is the priciest DVD/Blu-ray set I've ever bought. Yet, I don't regret it one bit. 39 discs with Seventh Seal receiving a 4K restoration only available in this set. Even if you own every Criterion Bergman issue there are still about 19 never before Criterion released films in this set. The thing is a monster! Roughly the size and weight of a college dictionary - or more! So it's not going to fit on that small shelved DVD display stand you keep in your media room/Home Theatre. But that's OK. The book (tome) that comes with it is a beautifully printed and laid-out book in classic coffee table size although I doubt I'll be leaving mine around to get messed up by careless house guests! The book and Disc holder is also nicely done with hard board covers and sturdy binding both of them. Both should last a long time if treated well. I'm no Bergman expert, I own 7 of his Criterion-issued film in DVD format. But for those of you who already moved on to Blu-ray long ago some of these are restored and many never before available on Blu-ray in the USA like Hour of the Wolf. Even at the Criterion level pricing, the avg. Blu-ray of Bergman's films are each around the $25-35 U.S. level. So to replace just my 7 DVDs would cost approx. $150+ U.S. This set means you're getting these 39 films at roughly $6 U.S. each. THAT is why I titled my review "Unbelievable." A tremendous value. I do own a 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, etc. player & OLED TV but I'm not going to get into that debate here as Criterion shows no sign of bringing out any of their catalogue in 4K. So this is the best we can expect to get from this Auteur any time soon. Bottom line: Whether you're counting the cost per disc, or wondering if you'll ever watch ALL of them this is the definitive issue of Ingmar Bergman's films to own. If you like Bergman or Art House cinema in general you're cheating yourself if you don't grab it ASAP. Others have said it should be re-issued in Feb. 2019 which is soon but even Criterion lets some sets go OOP so don't delay in hopes of a "deal." Other older reviews seem to imply the original issue was bought up and scalped at huge mark-ups to the Johnny-Come-Lately types. Just get it and enjoy!

If you are considering purchasing this collection, then go ahead and do so. Everything is high quality. The box is sturdy, the discs are in a durable book-like holder, the 248-page glossy book of essays complete with pictures is very attractive, and all the movies on the discs have been given the pristine Criterion Collection treatment restorations as well as features. Some of the movies have introductions by Bergman at his home theater on Faro, commentaries, other features; others are simply the movies with chapters and subtitles. There are 39 movies in this collection and each have been given a number that corresponds with a chapter in the book. For example, movie #3 is Wild Strawberries, and chapter 3 in the book is about that film, which makes finding information and insights about the film very easy. The backs of the book and the disc holder feature a list of the movies (1) alphabetically with corresponding number in case you want to go straight to the movies, and (2) vice versa, arranged numerically where you can easily see where each movie falls in relation to the book. If you are reading this review, you are in no doubt familiar with Bergman and with the Criterion Collection. Because of Criterion's standards of choice of film as well as the treatment of those films in their releases, you know the price of such quality is a bit more that the run-of-the-mill movie cranked out by the Hollywood machine. Average prices per movie usually run $19.95-$29.95 and up. For a conservative estimate, imagine each of these 39 movies purchased separately at $20 each, the total price paid would be $780 (although 18 movies in this set are only available here for the first time). Almost $800 for the movies and that's not including the gorgeous book or stylish keepsake box. This set retails for $299.95 and Amazon is selling it for around $220 (the price seems to fluctuate +/- $10 every few days). That is a steal! It will be one of the best assets to your video collection, if not the cornerstone. Other reviewers have praised this set and enough cannot be said about it. Again, if you are even considering purchasing this, just go ahead and do it. It's a must-have for the video collector. Not only will you will not be disappointed, but you will have some of the world's best films at your fingertips to be enjoyed anytime over and over again.

Well done Criterion, an excellent cased edition with perfect discs and a book containing a treasure trove of information and images.

What's not to dislike? Yes, it's expensive. However, this is a labour of love by the Criterion Collection. It is a wonderful collection of the cinema of Ingmar Bergman in all new 2k and 4k transfers from the camera negatives. Plus, you get a ridiculous number of supplements that will take you weeks to get through. And if that were not enough and aside from the films being wonderfully indexed, you also get a lovely full-size book to accompany the films, printed on thick glossy paper and featuring informative essays about the film together with high-quality black and white images from the films and behind the scenes. The book alone is worth the purchase price in my view.

I think Bergman directed 44 full movies, 37 (plus the 2 Farö-documentaries) are included in this very beautiful box with lots of bonus materials (interviews with Bergman, documentaries, intros by Bergman) and a beautifully produced book of 250 p with essays on the films and many superb photographs. Bergman was of course a supreme maestro and this box does him full justice. Very high quality resolutions of the "recordings".

Great set, not complete but a wonderful selection and beautiful reproduced and it all came in tacked.

Como qualquer produto importado comprado na Amazon Brasil, este também chegou danificado. É sempre assim, quando não fazem promoção e cancelam de forma unilateral o produto importado eles enviam algo danificado. Parece que o que não serve para ser comercializado lá fora é bem-vindo na Amazon do Brasil.

Simply the best set I have ever owned! First off it’s really something to fully understand just how much one artist has contributed to a medium and this set is living proof. So much love, care and attention has been put into this. The glossy, well layed out book and general packaging are first rate. The best though is the creative approach to setting out the films as a festival and not just by date. It will take me awhile but my plan is to follow that path and resist the temptation to go straight for the big films. I’ve seen about half of these films so there will be much to discover and as has been said before: seeing Bergman in middle age is s very different experience as seen them as a youth. I haven’t spent any time with the extras though there a a ton. I’ll wait til I get through the festival first. Bottom line if you can get your hands on this set, get it. If you are at all a fan of cinema you owe it to yourself.

I have been a fan of Bergman films since I gingerly picked up Summer With Monika on DVD around 15 years ago. I bought a number of others in the Tartan collection at the same time but since upgrading to a Blu Ray player decided to upgrade my films. This set is superb and well worth the price. So far I have watched the first 3 films and have been very impressed with the picture quality and can’t wait to get to the showcase films. I am following the recommended “set list” which I think is a great addition as with many artists who have a large body of work it can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming for someone coming fresh to their work to know where to start. The book that comes with is excellent quality and enhances the viewing experience ten fold. My only gripe it that when I got mine out of the packaging there were some scuff marks on the book and the outer sleeve of the disc holder which have more or less disappeared with a bit of a clean.