When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof and his wife, Mia, and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.

Genres

Cast

Gunnar Björnstrand

Jöns

Bengt Ekerot

Death

Nils Poppe

Jof

Max von Sydow

Antonius Block

Bibi Andersson

Mia

Inga Gill

Lisa

Maud Hansson

Witch

Inga Landgré

Karin

Gunnel Lindblom

Mute Girl

Anders Ek

Monk

Åke Fridell

Plog

Gunnar Olsson

Albertus Pictor