The story of a challenge to death
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.
witch
dying and death
blacksmith
chess
countryside
allegory
crusade
artist
juggler
witch burning
last judgment
symbolism
sense of life
matter of life and death
grim reaper
black and white
demon
belief in god
middle ages (476-1453)
meaning of life
virgin mary
black death
playing chess
death personified
death incarnate
life teacher
metaphysical
14th century
seeking a god
relaxed
metaphysical drama
metaphysics, mysticism, kabbalah, spiritism
the virgin mary