Chess With Death Scene Explained: The Seventh Seal (1957) + Love and Death (1975)
Searching for the famous “chess with Death” scene? The original iconic version is from Ingmar Bergman’s Swedish classic The Seventh Seal (1957). Woody Allen later made a well-known parody/reference in Love and Death (1975) — which is why so many searches mention both films.
What Happens in the “Chess With Death” Scene?
In The Seventh Seal, a returning knight meets the personification of Death and challenges him to a game of chess. The knight is not trying to “win life forever” — he’s trying to gain time, ask questions, and make one meaningful choice before the end.
What Does It Symbolize?
- Mortality: Death is inevitable, but your choices still matter.
- Decision-making under pressure: Chess becomes a clean metaphor for forced choices.
- Time: The game represents delay and the desire for “one more move.”
- Meaning: The knight’s struggle is about purpose, not just survival.
Love and Death (1975): Why People Search This With The Seventh Seal
Your Search Console data shows huge impression volume for queries like “love and death chess with death scene”. That’s typically people trying to confirm that Woody Allen’s scene is a parody/reference to Bergman’s famous imagery.
This page is intentionally text-first (no heavy embeds), so it answers quickly and clearly — which helps SEO and user satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which movie is the original “chess game with Death” scene from?
The best-known original is from Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal (1957), where a knight plays chess with Death.
Is the chess-with-Death scene in Woody Allen’s Love and Death based on The Seventh Seal?
Yes. Love and Death (1975) parodies and references Bergman’s The Seventh Seal (1957).
What does the chess game with Death symbolize in The Seventh Seal?
It symbolizes confronting mortality and searching for meaning. Chess becomes a metaphor for choice, delay, and strategy against inevitability.
What is the “seventh seal” in the Bible?
The phrase is from Revelation 8:1: when the seventh seal is opened, there is silence in heaven for about half an hour. The film uses this as a thematic reference.
Is The Seventh Seal worth watching?
If you like classic cinema, philosophy-themed films, or famous cultural references, it’s worth watching. It’s slower-paced than modern films, but extremely influential.
20 Fun Facts About The Seventh Seal (1957)
1) Original Swedish title
The original title is Det sjunde inseglet.
2) Release year
The film was released in 1957.
3) Writer-director
Ingmar Bergman wrote and directed the film.
4) The knight’s name
The knight is Antonius Block.
5) Iconic casting
Max von Sydow plays Antonius Block.
6) Death is a character
Death is personified and played by Bengt Ekerot.
7) Setting: plague-era Sweden
The story is set in Sweden during the Black Death.
8) Runtime
The film runs about 96 minutes.
9) The title’s source
The title references Revelation 8:1 (“silence in heaven… about half an hour”).
10) Started as a play
Bergman developed the film from his play Trämålning (“Wood Painting”).
11) Written for theatre students
Trämålning was written for acting students connected to Malmö City Theatre.
12) First performed on radio
The play was first performed publicly on radio in 1954.
13) Death’s stage connection
Bengt Ekerot (who later played Death in the film) directed a Stockholm stage production of the play.
14) Cannes recognition
The film won the Jury Special Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1957 (tied).
15) Also a Palme d’Or nominee
It was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
16) Composer
The music is by Erik Nordgren.
17) Cinematography
The film was shot by cinematographer Gunnar Fischer.
18) Editing
The editor is Lennart Wallén.
19) Famous beach location
The opening “chess on the beach” imagery is associated with Hovs Hallar in Sweden.
20) Studio work
Parts of the production were also done at studios in Sweden (commonly cited: Råsunda).
If you like chess in movies, symbolism, and chess references in popular culture, explore more here:
If this scene made you curious about chess itself, starting with the basics makes the game far more enjoyable: