Djävulens öga

I admire Ingmar Bergman, Sweden's greatest director, hugely. His films are incredibly well made and thought-provoking, as well as on the most part superbly directed and acted complete with memorable images. The Devil's Eye is not one of his best, it does get off to a slow start, the ending does feel rather weak and there are a few scenes that feel a little too talky. However, it is still worth watching, even if not up to the standards set by The Seventh Seal, Fanny and Alexander, Wild Strawberries, Cries and Whispers, Persona and The Virgin Spring a "lesser" from one of cinema's most influential directors is still better than some directors when at their best. The Devil's Eye is not the most stunning visually of Bergman's films, but it is still skillfully made and has nothing that comes across as cheap. The music is simple, but hauntingly beautiful at the same time. The story is atypical Bergman, with a structure that is very like it was set out as a play but it is also wonderfully ironic, while the script on the most part is funny with a couple of thoughtful moments. Bergman's direction may not show him on his best form but still shows a director who knows what he's doing and what he wants. The performances are fine, Bibbi Andersson does give a strong performance, Nils Poppe is very funny and Jarl Kulle displays a lot of verve as the playboy released from Hell sort of character. Gunner Bjornstrand is good to see, though he has been better. Overall, worth watching, funny and interesting. Just not one of Bergman's crowning jewels. 7/10 Bethany Cox

For a long time unavailable on DVD, this 2007 Tartan release finally addresses that, but is it worth it?

Like most, I love classic Bergman and find anything else by him interesting, at the very least. Coming just after the heavy and emotionally draining making of his The Virgin Spring, in 1960, the DVD blurb tells us that the director needed to 'tell a joke' - this resulting oddity revealing a waspish comedic streak from someone known as a deep, complex and often depressive writer and director.

It launched Bibbi Anderson, who would become Bergman's famous face in his massive hits Persona and Wild Strawberries. In The Devil's Eye, she plays the virgin Britt-Marie, daughter of a cleric. At age 20, the Devil has decided she's ripe for de-flowering, but she's promised to a boring but reliable older man. Taking the form of Don Juan, the infamous Lothario of legend, the devil attempts to seduce her. Who will win? Heaven, or Hell, or indeed, both?

From the very outset, with its odd introduction and even odder harpsichord note, this one is set to be a comedy. It's very theatrical; caricatures and grotesques mix with the ordinary, mirrors and imaginative sets convey hell. Period detail rubs shoulders with 20th century Scandinavian domesticity. One can see many possible influences, all moulded in a vast cooking pot and quite a strange mixture is the result.

I'm sure one could look into it all a lot deeper than I did - one of the greatest things about Bergman is that most of his films can be watched at a differing angle and a whole new aspect is highlighted, helped enormously by his intelligent and often poetic dialogue. Watching late at night when concentration levels were ebbing, I took it as it was presented - amusing, satirical, with sexual references, a wit and with a big sparkle in this Devil's Eye.

To answer my question - yes, it is good, but oddly, so un-Bergman like (though some scenes in Fanny & Alexander, for example, share this mischief) I wouldn't say that this film is essential Bergman. For those who want all he did, then yes, obviously and maybe those who want to know more about his inner psyche. Those expecting a more formal classic, might be well put-off, it's the sort of 'what the hell is this?' that may well result in the 'stop' button on the remote being pressed.

The transfer quality is excellent though the subtitles appear slightly smaller and more 'European' than on other Tartan Bergman's I have.

A woman's chastity gives the Devil sty in his eye, so he sends Don Juan back to Earth from Hell to seduce her, but the modern-day woman finds his old-fashioned charm amusing rather than irresistible.No masterpiece but funny and Nils Poppe has some really funny scenes.

Rating:4/5

A clever comedy; Satan permits Don Juan a leave of absence from hell to cure a sty in the Devil's eye which is caused by the virginity of a young earthly woman. It's a very funny movie - without being intentionally "stupid." It has a very theatrical feel, but tastefully so, and brings everything needed from Jarl Kulle as Don Juan. Nils Poppe (known best as "Jof" from "The Seventh Seal") and Bibi Andersson also contribute with an additional display of their usually skillful performances. The plot is light, but brilliant, and will probably shock regular Bergman fans. For some reason "Smiles of a Summer Night" is talked about as Bergman's "best" or even "only" comedy, but although I really like that film too, and have watched over forty of his movies, and must say that this is the funniest by a long shot. A highly enjoyable, but sadly underrated (possibly misunderstood) movie. At the time of my writing this, Djävulens Öga is not yet a DVD item in the US or the UK.

I liked this movie a lot--more than many of the dreadfully serious Bergman films.

The movie is staged like a play--complete with a narrator and acts. The story begins in Hell. It seems the devil is in a funk, as he's got a sty. Why? Apparently, there is a virginal woman whose decency is causing the devil great agony, so he sends his favorite Lothario, Don Juan, to despoil this virgin and this make the sty go away! Really weird stuff, huh?! Well, the tongue in cheek style makes this a pretty funny comedy. Not GREAT comedy, but very good AND so weird and unusual, it's worth a look.

By the way, isn't Don Juan's sidekick about the most devilish character you've ever seen? Watch it, turn off your brain and have fun.