The Seventh Seal: The Criterion Conversation #1

[chilingolingoreviews]

That's exactly what I was trying to say, hah i should have clarified I wasn't making the point that the physical existance of god is neccesary, but as you said, the concept.

[Fr0ggeh86]

I enjoyed your discussion of this movie, it really is a masterpiece. Though I must say, I disagree very much with one of your comclusions, that the movie shows why Gods existance is necessary. I would say rather the opposite, throughout the movie there is a sense of people calling and searching for God, but not getting any answers. We also get to see how the more passionate clerksmen whipped themselves as if self-punishing would stop the plague (thought to be Gods punishment).

Good review though

[chilingolingoreviews]

Thank you very much! As far as the conclusion is concerned I think you make a very valid point. However, I feel the clerksmans actions demonstrate a misusage of faith, but as this is an existentialist film that explores themes like one's own identity/purpose in the world, and is just as much a journey of faith as it is a physical one. Without God, there would be no journey in the first place and the need for the discovery of his actual existance is in many ways what keeps Antonious Block going.

[chilingolingoreviews]

Had it not been for his desire to obtain answers reguarding God's existance, he would have just succumbed to death on the beach at the beginning of the film. The existance of God (or at least the questions that it raises) create a catch 22 paradox. With God, these characters are constantly confused, asking many questions that will never be answered. However w/o him it is difficult to sustain hope, especially when one has just returned from a life altering war to protect his honor.

[Fr0ggeh86]

@chilingolingoreviews You make good points but I think the major disagreement I have is this:

The journey of faith that you are describing is not dependent on the actual existance of God, just on the concept. With the concept of God, these characters are confused but without the concept of God, there wouldn't have been this "war" called the crusades to begin with. I also think finding confort can be done in many ways, but of course I understand that many do it by ways of religion.