THE DEVIL'S EYE

Sweden, 1960, 83 minutes, Black and white.
Jarl Kulle, Bibi Andersson, Nils Poppe, Gunnar Bjornstrand.
Directed by Ingmar Bergman.

The Devil's Eye was written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. Bergman had achieved great fame during the '50s with an excellent series of dramas and comedies including Smiles of a Summer Night, Close to Life and the celebrated Wild Strawberries and The Seventh Seal. He also won an Oscar for The Virgin Spring.

This film is a variation on the Don Juan theme - with a touch of Dr. Faustus. The film is very much tongue-in-cheek and theatrical in performance and style. Many of his regular cast appear - especially Jarl Kulle as Don Juan.

The film is satirical and at times cynical. While it has the light touch, it is the Swedish light touch and, therefore, rather serious. The film also echoes Bergman's interest in religion and morality - the Devil, angels, Hell; a religious pastor and his strained marriage, the affair of his wife. The film also focuses on evil and innocence. There is a pleasing score of Scarlatti music.

1. The place of the film in Ingmar Bergman's canon? Serious, comic? Morality fable? Religion?

2. The success of the film as a fable, a presentation of morality and immorality, tongue-in-cheek? The tradition of such religious allegories - entertainment, moralising, didactic? The devices for the fable; the narrator and his illustration of the scenes, explanations? Satire? The four acts? A visual dance, a quadrille? The influence of such playwrights as Brecht?

3. The quality of the black and white photography, costumes and decor, an atmosphere of period (yet modern)? Earth and Hell? The Scarlatti music giving mood and classical tone?

4. The title and the visual humour about the stye in the Devil's eye? The proverb 'A woman's chastity is a stye in the Devil's eye'? The ironies about the Devil trying to be cured, the work of Don Juan, the action of Britt- Marie? The Devil being partially cured and satisfied? A pleasantly ironic ending?

5. The presentation of Hell, the court - and the chart explained? The range of devils - too humorous, too cute? Serious? The plan, the supervision? The goals?

6. Don Juan and his place in Hell, his being released for a day, his relationship with Pablo? His return to Earth, his reliance on his charm and reputation? Success and failure? The end of the performance - and the contrast with the innocence of Britt-Marie?

7. The character of Don Juan as known: haughty, icy, feelings and lack of feelings, masculine charm? His story? The visuals? A 20th century transformation of the legendary rake? His suffering, torment, dreams? Defying God and the Devil? His appearing on Earth? Seduction? Charming Britt- Marie? Her resistance? His humiliation? The torments of Hell? A partial achievement to please the Devil?

8. The contrast with Pablo - ordinary, half damned, the attraction to the pastor's wife, the seduction, pity? Pleasure to pain?

9. The film's comment on Swedish morality, sexual mores, on Scandinavian attitudes towards the masculine, to the feminine?

10. The contrast between Renate and Britt- Marie? Renate and her marriage, the tensions, illness, the meal, the first seduction, a vision of Hell, flattery, pity? The fulfilment of the seduction? The visit to her husband? The future - change?

11. Britt- Marie and her innocence, practical, love for her fiance, the encounter with Don Juan, the risk, the kiss -the sore? The story and the visuals? The night, the aftermath? The bedroom scene? Her marriage - and the final glimpse of Britt- Marie and her lie to save her husband?

12. The parson and his naivety, relationships, the set-ups, the night and his visit to his wife, the Devil in the cupboard? His response to Britt-Marie? To Renate? Waking up?

13. The picture of devils - mischievous, the cat? A humorous use of more serious ancient traditions?

14. Victories and defeat ~ for each of the characters? Large and small?

15. Bergman and his continued preoccupation with good and evil, Heaven and Hell, the Devil and God, the absence of God? Guilt and innocence?

16. The moral stances of this kind of film - clever, witty, wise? A visual illustration of a popular proverb?