Persona (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Master director Ingmar Bergman's hypnotic, avant garde composition is cinema on the nature of cinema. A challenging enigma, still discussed over 50 years later, and so seminal that this is the type of art film that comes to mind when people think of the stereotypical art film. From it's brilliant opening montage showing the conception of film with the projector's parts mimicking the human reproductive system, giving birth to light, shadows, and illusions, a reel of film running, and it's organic emotional product, a boy breaking the fourth-wall by touching the screen, images of life and death, and the manipulative spider walking across the glaring white background. The psychologically charged main story involves an actress who suddenly becomes mute and the talkative, caring nurse with whom she shares a secluded beach house during recovery. Their unique personalities and relationship leads to shocking confessions, strange dreamlike night visits (one of the most iconic images in cinema), and a disturbing melding of identity that lead to resentment and conflict.The film constantly reminds us this is a film and is in control, both a view of a filmmaker's psyche and a mirror, as when the actress takes a picture of us, or when tension becomes so intense the film literally burns and melts. Legendary cinematographer Sven Nykvist's use of starkness, white fade outs, and Bergman trademark close ups of hands and the all important face is done with expertise. This is Bergman's most revolutionary work, but just one of his many masterpieces. The Criterion Blu ray/DVD set comes with a great amount of documentaries, interviews, and superb essays. A film difficult to describe, and an experience difficult to forget.

Good for you, to the poster who suggested Criterion take down those ridiculous comments. I saw PERSONA around the same time she did (1968 or so -- a few years after release). That night changed my life. My reaction: "I didn't know film could DO THAT." "THAT" being actually a variety of things, some of which we maybe take for granted now. That film could be self-referential to jarring effect. That someone could not be able to speak and yet have nothing wrong with her. That there could be a transmigration of one soul into another person, and vice versa. That silence creates a void that must be filled. And basically that film could be poetry -- non-literal, non-linear. I had an art theater near me, luckily, and I crammed myself full of Bergman, especially his Trilogy. I had already been introduced to some of the other greats, directors who would become my favorites, but even the best of Truffaut, Fellini, even Godard and Kurosawa, did not prepare me for the worlds that opened for me when I saw PERSONA. (WARNING: Just don't use PERSONA as a date movie early in your relationship. Your date will look at you as if you're completely nuts and run screaming into the night. Take it from me: I know. Some mistakes you don't make twice.)

One of the greatest films ever made, and in a package that is itself cryingly beautiful. Criterion! How I love you! If you can't see this on 35mm in a vast, over-air-conditioned movie theater -- which this film deserves, but -- get this. The whites and grey and blacks look like thoughts, the sound is tuned, and the conclusion is as riddling as ever.

I've seen a few of Bergman's movies but I can safely say that this one is the most challenging to get into and yet is one of the more rewarding for the patient viewer willing to take repeated stabs at it. I loved "The Seventh Seal" and the later "Fanny & Alexander" and I'm now getting to love "Persona" as well. Having all 3 on Criterion helps too as the picture and sound qualities are excellent as one expects from any of their releases. Also included is a 60-page booklet containing an essay on the film and an interview with the director. This film challenges the viewer in a number of ways and questions our conceptions as to what film really is. Do we consider the characters as is or metaphorically or what are we supposed to think? The answer the director himself would probably say depends on you and how you wish to view this. The part in the film where the film itself appears to disintegrate comes across as self-sabotage to me at first but then it seems to be the director giving me a hint on how to interpret this work. Is he reminding me that this is just a film and so as actors simply portray roles or personas of others or of themselves for a time could all three people, the young man in the beginning, Liv and Bibi's characters all be the same person with different personas? Is this all a dream or is anything actual? It is this confusion and trying to figure this out for me is what makes this a great film that rewards repeated viewing as any classic film should. For those who like to be challenged by film this one should certainly be in your video library. Highly recommended!

Arguably Bergman's finest film. Riveting and disturbing and superbly acted and shot. The extras, too, are outstanding, especially the feature-length documentary "Liv & Ingmar," which is as intimate as it is moving.

Ingmar Bergman's classic mid-sixties study of the blurring of two personalities finally gets the careful technical handling it deserves. This new version by Criterion is superb, and a must for serious film collectors. The set includes both blu-ray and standard DVD versions, which is helpful if you want to use the film in teaching situations where there may not be access to blu-ray equipment. An added plus is the inclusion of the documentary, "Liv and Ingmar," about the relationship, creative and personal, between Bergman and Liv Ullmann. At least where I live, this 2012 film has not yet had a commercial screening.

As always, Criterion does a superb job with the titles they distribute. Beautifully packaged,including a nice booklet, the set comes with Blu-Ray (1 disc) and DVD (2 discs including extras.) The film is presented in the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio in 2K resolution on an Arriscan film scanner from the original 35MM negative. The beauty of the images in this film are one of the film's greatest strengths, and this Blu-Ray transfer does it absolute justice.

A quantum jump for film-as-art. The performances are staggering. It’s amusing, and somehow reassuring, that Bergman was a big fan of Die Hard.

“Persona” is both visually stunning and narratively disturbing. The gorgeous cinematography of Sven Nyquist uses contrast and soft lighting to really give an added dimension to the film. The performances by Bergman regulars Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullman as the nurse and her patient are utterly sublime. The screenplay is taut with tension, and the twist in the narrative was brilliant and caught me completely by surprise. By the time the film was over, I knew I needed to see it again. It was that compelling. And there’s no better way to experience this film than in Criterion’s meticulously restored Blu-Ray edition, with all the supplemental features that really enhance the viewing experience. One of my new favourite films of all-time! Hands down!

Excelente película a muy buen precio, pero, la portada venía salida del estuche y los extremos del lomo de la portada estaban notoriamente maltratados

Couldnt be more happy! 💖

DVD livré plus tôt qu'annoncé. Une journée plus tôt. En parfaite condition. Livret d'interprétation... ou d'analyse... ou de regards possibles inclus.

Not as advertised. Header of purchase page states "Region Free" yet the disc I received was region locked and will not play on my PS5 in the UK. Foolishly waited past the end of the return window to watch it and realised too late to get my money back.