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Persona

Posted by Victor Khomenko (M) on June 28, 2004 at 06:46:15

Reviewing something like Bergman's Persons is akin to trying to do good job on Beethoven's 9th... job better left to the professionals. One can describe his feelings and a few trivia items, and perhaps that is where it should be left, as words are often powerless to describe the magnitude of emotions a work like that generates.

So... the trivia. My affair with Persona is a long one, but it has been mostly difficult. Many years ago, when we were discovering Bergman's films for the first time, Persona evaded us. The quality was simply awful, and none of its white-on-white subtitles could be read.

Years later we managed to get hold on a tape with "readable" subs. The image quality was still sub-par, so that experience gave us good idea, but still fell short. Watching Sven's cinematography through Sokurov's filter is not my idea of identifying with a film.

I therefore had high expectations for this set. Since Criterion doesn't have it, I sent my money for the MGM "restored" set of five Bergman's films.

Last night it was Persona's turn.

First thing first - the quality of image restoration is simply superb. You feel it right away and it soothes the wounded soul - how nice to know that finally we can watch Bergman's films in their natural beauty, just like it was shown almost forty years ago.

Another interesting discovery. This is the first film I encounter with the choice of language - Swedish or English.

I am a hard core foreign film with subs person, so I naturally hesitated. American "dubbing" leaves such horrible taste in your mouth that I pressed the English button with great reluctance. My hope was that they would not do their usuall horrible job on something of this importance.

It turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I don't know who's voice is used for Alma, but I would say it is a very good dubbing, perhaps just a tad over the top.

To be on safe side, we also kept the subs on, and the two texts did not always agree with each other, as I habitually kept glancing at the subs, even as I could hear the voice clearly... years of hard habit, I guess.

In one spot, where Alma sez Paul, the titles actually read Peter. I am not kidding you. It produced a quick friendly laughter.

The film draws you towards the black and white screen with the first sharp images, and just doesn't let go. Sven is simply at his best in this work, and you can't take your eyes from the screen - as every new shot is a revelation in itself.

My wife feels the film is somewhat dated and overdone to some degree. I can hear what she is saying, but to me this is like hearing Audrey is wearing green dress... OK... but does it in any way reduce my enjoyment from that seeing her? From seeing this film?

Not one bit.

The erotic scene still remains easily the most erotic one in the movies, and both actresses do superb job.

So again, as in case of great symphony, I will simply leave you here, and invite you to visit this small house somewhere on the Swedish shore.

And - thank you, MGM! Job well done! And there are four more films in that set!

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Kimber Kable

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