Ingmar Bergman's Cinema (The Criterion 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.

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!

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.

Phenomenal, the best box set i ever gotten from the best company. Quite a few titles that are new to me, and this is my first Blu-ray only purchase, it is such a momentous time for me as a collector. I plan on getting the Varda and Fellini sets soon. My love for Bergman is re-ignited with this immaculate set. I wish there to be more like this, comprehensive or complete sets by the great auteurs of cinema, what would be a dream come true would be for Criterion to do a complete Fassbinder. This Bergman collection with the amazing book is a perfect new beginning to the best period of my collecting life. MORE!

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.

A primo impatto il costo sembra eccessivo ma facendosi due conti, vista la quantità di blu ray che contiene (e il bellissimo libro di approfondimenti), non è nulla di così scandaloso (e se voleste raccogliere tutto Bergman in blu ray probabilmente spendereste molto, molto di più). La scelta di rilasciarli region free è poi davvero ottima perché, a patto di conoscere in maniera decente l'inglese, non troverete da nessuna parte un'edizione così esaustiva su un unico regista: la cura svolta nel restauro di ogni film, le tonnellate di approfondimenti (davvero, non si esagera: gli extra sono una marea, sembrano non finire mai), il "percorso" scelto dagli esperti della Criterion per rendere omaggio a quello che forse è il più grande regista della storia del cinema: è tutto da premiare.