THE DEVIL'S EYE (1960)

Starring: Jarl Kulle, Bibi Andersson, Nils Poppe & Sture Lagerwall

Director: Ingmar Bergman

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. Droll Bergman comedy is a bit slow, but witty and playful.

Bits of the Bergman elegance and insight, snips of humor and captivating paradoxical detail. (90 mins.)

My Rating: ***

THE MAGICIAN (1958)

Starring: Max Von Sydow, Ingrid Tullin, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Naima Wifstrand, Bibi Andersson & Erland Josephson.

Director: Ingmar Bergman

An early Ingmar Bergman-directed film that will tingle your spine and stimulate your brain. The supernatural, comic, mystical and the human mingle in this imaginative tale of a magician and his troupe who are detained in a small Swedish community when their magical powers are disbelieved. Visually rich, gothic atmosphere.

Complex, provocative account of Albert Emmanuel Vogler (Von Sydow), a 19th-century hypnotist-magician who has studied with Mesmer but finds himself debt-ridden and charged with blasphemy. A thoughtful (and too-long underrated) portrait of a man who is part-faker, part-genius. (102 mins.)

My Rating: ***

TORMENT (1944)

Starring: Mai Zetterling, Stig Jarrel, Alf Kjellin, Olof Winnerstrand.

Director: Alf Sjoberg

Schoolboy (Kjellin) and girl he falls in love with (Zetterling) are hounded by sadistic teacher (Jarrel).

Moody and evocative, with a script by Ingmar Bergman. Also known as FRENZY. (100 mins.)

My Rating: ***

L 'AVVENTURA (1960)

Starring: Monica Vitti & Gabriele Ferzetti

Director: Michaelangelo Antonioni

Director Michaelangelo Antonioni's studied, enormously perceptive film about empty relationships in an unfeeling world. Story superficially concerns the disappearance of a girl, and the search for her by her lover and her best friend. The slow pace of the film contributes to its overall impact.

Subtle, incisive allegory of spiritual and moral decay makes for demanding viewing. Antonioni's first international success was also the first of a trilogy (followed by LA NOTTE and L 'ECLISSE).

Winner of the Special Jury Award at Cannes. Italian with English subtitles. (145 mins.)

My Rating: ***