Tom Jolliffe pays tribute to the late, great Max von Sydow…
Cinema lost another legend with the sad news that Max von Sydow has passed away. A career which spanned over 70 years of his 90 year life, he established himself very early on in his career, becoming one of the collaborators of choice for Ingmar Bergman. In von Sydow’s numerous Bergman projects he’ll of course be most remembered for that iconic image, sat against a start coastal back drop, playing chess with the Grim Reaper. Death in itself for von Sydow was always going to thus bring with it a small touch of irony given one of the most overriding images of his cinematic career would indeed be that game of death.
It’s not without merit that Ingmar Bergman chose to work repeatedly with some talent. As with Bibi Andersson for example (who passed not long ago too), Max von Sydow had gained the trust of a director who knew that those subtle nuances that don’t appear on the surface of a performance, must come from deep within a performer of immense talent. If The Seventh Seal would mark the most iconic, there were certainly others which struck a chord with cinephiles past and present. Hour of the Wolf, another of Bergman’s classic and haunting psychological thrillers was perhaps his one film most laced with horror. In fairness, there was nary a Bergman/Sydow collaboration that wasn’t held in high regard. Personal favourites of myself aside from the aforementioned, include Wild Strawberries, The Virgin Spring, Through a Glass Darkly and Winter Light.
For many of my generation (with my tastes), von Sydow came to be just about everywhere. The Exorcist was another legendary film. The impact the film had on the horror genre can’t be underestimated either. It became a film of almost lore for how terrifying it was (reports of people suffering heart attacks whilst watching) . Time has tamed it of course, but regardless, it’s a film that everyone knows and everyone gets the references even if they’ve not seen it. I’d also had an early crossing with his work with his turn as Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon. A camp classic, the film has certainly garnered a cult following over the years, and von Sydow’s scenery chomping villainy is part of the grand allure. I for one also enjoyed his memorable bit part turn in Conan the Barbarian as King Osric.
As an actor he was of course well travelled, not merely through locations but stepping between his native Swedish cinema, to other European works, to American, from indie, to B movies to mega budget blockbusters. Max von Sydow did just about all of it. With so much acclaim, Oscar recognition would allude him until 1987 with another of his iconic turns in Pelle the Conqueror. Indeed step forward to 2011, and proving he wasn’t yet out of the limelight, he received another nomination for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Yet, these two nominations only really scratch the surface of an actor who’s expansive CV and innumerable scene stealing turns point to one of cinemas most talented actors.
Gravitas is not strong enough a word, but from his beginnings as one of Nordic cinemas most iconic leading men, through to a busy career as a character player in Hollywood, he’s been prolific. Always a great character actor, or a great villain. Never less than stellar. For myself the sight of Max von Sydow popping up in a Hollywood film would always bring with it comfort. It was familiarity. Whether he was passing in for scene, good guy, bad guy, indifferent, I’d always be drawn to his stature, his presence, the most subtle of deeply charismatic smiles. Sometimes as a film fan I think of certain actors who appear on a cast list and make that cast list better. I’ve even said it before, ‘Max von Sydow’s in it, that’s a bonus.’ I’ve probably said that about dozens of his films whether knowing beforehand, or whether he just appeared to my (pleasant) surprise. It’s just what I’ve known for over 30 years. It would be later in my cinematic upbringing that I went back to dive into his Swedish work (and of course Bergman particularly).
It perhaps shouldn’t come as a huge shock given the great man’s age, but it still hits hard. This was an actor who seemed to have been around forever. It gets to the point you almost expect them to be. The man worked so solidly until just a few years ago when things slowed. He still had time in his post 80’s years to become part of Star Wars lore and Game of Thrones. So in remembering Max von Sydow, I’d suggest exploring areas of his CV that you’ve not yet discovered. I’ll be doing the same, whilst also revisiting some of his iconic favourites too.
What is your favourite Max von Sydow film? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on our Twitter page @flickeringmyth…
Tom Jolliffe is an award winning screenwriter and passionate cinephile. He has a number of films out on DVD/VOD around the world and several releases due in 2020, including The Witches Of Amityville Academy (starring Emmy winner, Kira Reed Lorsch) and Tooth Fairy: The Root of Evil. Find more info at the best personal site you’ll ever see here.
Originally published March 9, 2020. Updated November 29, 2022.
