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The death of Max von Sydow, one of Sweden's most celebrated actors, was announced today. He first came to international attention in the films of Ingmar Bergman, though he had trained on the stage, but theirs was a long collaboration that took in The Seventh Seal (his chess game with Death one of the most famous scenes of all time), Wild Strawberries, The Virgin Spring, Winter Light, The Magician, The Touch and more.
The Bergman connection raised von Sydow's profile significantly and led to films around the world, his natural gravitas and serious air lending him well to authority figures and villains alike. His most famous films away from those were The Exorcist (in the title role), Flash Gordon (as Ming the Merciless), The Greatest Story Ever Told (as Christ), Three Days of the Condor, Conan the Barbarian, Never Say Never Again (as Blofeld), Hannah and Her Sisters, Minority Report, kicking off Star Wars: The Force Awakens and on TV in Game of Thrones.
Other cult efforts he appeared in included The Kremlin Letter, The Emigrants, Steppenwolf, The Ultimate Warrior, Exorcist II: The Heretic, March or Die, Death Watch, Escape to Victory, Strange Brew, Dreamscape, Pelle the Conqueror (one of his favourites), Awakenings, Europa (voice only), Until the End of the World, The Best Intentions, Needful Things, Judge Dredd, What Dreams May Come, Intacto, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Solomon Kane and Shutter Island. What a career, and few stars have such an incredible range of roles, from the classic to the ridiculous. Throughout it all, he was the picture of dignity and integrity, even with a sense of humour when allowed. |
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