Review of Fanny and Alexander (1982) by Steph S — 27 Dec 2012

Fanny and Alexander, according to the filmmaker, marks the end of his career as a director of theatrical motion pictures. It is one of the best movies of 1983. In this tale about two youngsters growing up in a Swedish university town at the turn of the century, Bergman re-explores old territory with heightened powers. The cinematography by Sven Nykvist is exquisite as usual â" another stirring testament to the voluptuousness of looking.

In a season when trivial entertainments of all types will fill summer movie screens, Fanny and Alexander is a green film that is, in the words of its creator, "a declaration of love for life." In addition, Bergman has noted: "It is not so much a chronicle as a Gobelin tapestry from which you can pick the images and the incidents and the characters that fascinate you.".