Review of The Devil`s Eye

Introduction

Continuing in the series of individual Bergman releases from Tartan (and a release absent from the Bergman 30 disc mega-set), `The Devil`s Eye` is an interesting, mildly amusing addition to the canon, but not, in my humble opinion one of his better works. In truth, it`s more of a curio, and slightly untypical of the man`s work.

Of course, the cinematography and technical direction is superb. But `The Devil`s Eye` was, apparently conceived by Bergman as a little light-relief from some his more intense works, and it could be argued it`s is amusing enough in a slightly lofty intellectual way - which is to say there aren`t any belly laughs here, just wry nods and politely affirming snorts of recognition that a line or a scene is intended as humour.



The film opens with the notion (based on an Irish proverb) that "A young woman`s chastity is a sty in the devil`s eye". Satan turns out to be a nicely suited businessman here (Stig Järrel) whose sty is brought on by a twenty-year old virgin, Britt-Marie (Bibi Andersson). Britt-Marie is engaged to be married to her high-spirited fiancé, Jonas though her chastity remains firmly intact.

Naturally, this horribly wholesome situation must be resolved, particularly before the couple`s holy union. So Satan calls on Don Juan (who else?) to seduce the young maiden, offering him the chance to break out of his eternal cycle of unconsummated liaisons with beautiful women each night, which is clearly driving the philanderer to despair. So Don Juan and his assistant Pablo, along with a devil in cat-form manage to talk their way into the home of Britt-Marie`s naïve father (a vicar) in order to seduce his daughter.

If this all sounds like forced farce then it certainly plays that way, though unapologetically so. In fact, it`s all presented like fairytale theatre for grown-ups.
Guessing that the slight and singular nature of the narrative would be insufficient to sustain 80 minutes, Bergman adds in some additional seduction for good measure, by Pablo who has designs on the vicar`s wife.

The humour throughout is perfect for the chuckling classes (who laugh like Pavlov`s dogs at theatrical moments like Lady Bracknell`s `A handbag?`). Bergman declares marriage to be `the foundation of hell`, though of course that`s just Satan talking and we all know what he means. It`s not REAL humour, but it`s lightly intellectual humour and all pretty painless at that.

Video

Another fine transfer of an almost flawless print. There`s a fantastic contrast range here on the monochrome picture with really solid blacks with no signs of artefacting evident amongst it.

Audio

This is original mono presented across dual Dolby Digital 2.0 and it works just fine.

Features

In common with the sister release, `Sawdust and Tinsel` this just has a couple of trailers. The almost comically earnest `Persona` trailer and a rather more oblique trailer for `Autumn Sonata`.

Conclusion

I suppose Bergman has a rough-ride over the years for his terribly earnest approach to movie making, and it`s certainly true that many of his films explore the darker side of life. But throughout his career, Bergman has occasionally sought to entertain with light-hearted, well-meaning `philosophical` comedy, and `The Devil`s Eye` is in this mould.

The problem is that is just doesn`t quite make the mark. From a technical point of view it is exemplary, with beautifully shot black and white imagery, and it`s tightly directed and cut. Even the performances are undisputedly fine. But the whole is less than the sum of these parts. Bergman has producing merely a luke-warm comedy that neither amuses or challenges.

For completists, this fine transfer will be essential. For everyone else, Bergman`s extensive canon of work will offer far more attractive possibilities.