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From: skef@cmu-cs-spice.ARPA (Skef Wholey)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Re: Fanny and Alexander
Message-ID: <359@cmu-cs-spice.ARPA>
Date: Sat, 27-Apr-85 14:32:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: cmu-cs-s.359
Posted: Sat Apr 27 14:32:22 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 28-Apr-85 07:50:33 EDT
Organization: Carnegie-Mellon University, CS/RI
Lines: 43


    From saab@abnji.UUCP (d. wilmot) Tue Apr 23 16:17:03 1985
    Subject: fanny  and alexander

    I knew nothing about this film when I rented it, except the box said
    it was by Bergmann (sp?). What a great film it was, but I got a couple
    of questions. 1) I heard some rumors that alex was suppose to be a young
    Bergmann, is it true?  2) What do you think the story was on the crazy(?)
    kid in the locked room? (the son of the person who kidnapped kids back)
    It seemed like these two kids used mind power to kill the bishop. or
    do you think the wife and the sister (the mountain of flesh that had to be
    fed) set up the bishop.  3) finally did the bishop cause the death of
    first wife and kids in the cold water or did alex make it all up.  Sorry
    I cann't describe film more, but it was pretty bizarre for one time
    though. But, boy was it a great film.

One "n" in Bergman.  Yes, "Fanny and Alexander" is a great film.  Answers to
your questions:

1. Bergman has denied again and again that this story is in any way
autobiographical.  A minor character (an actor in the theater) is named
Bergman, according to the screenplay, but it's doubtful that means anything.

2. The screenplay (great reading -- I highly recommend it) makes it clear that
all of the supernatural events but one might be happening only in Alexander's
imagination.  The one that is clearly a real life miracle occurs when the Jew
comes to take the kids away, and they appear as if they're still in their room.

3. The screenplay also makes it clear that Alexander made that story up, and
Fanny is smart enough to play along with him.

There are some big differences in the published screenplay and the final film,
but it's worth reading, and helps in understanding a number of points like
the above.  And it's nice to get translation of all the dialog -- not just the
fraction that makes it into the subtitles.  Of course, the film stands on its
own very well.  I just saw it for the second time a few nights ago, and loved
every minute of it.  I was surprised to see that the movie was 182 minutes
long!

--Skef
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