Danse Macabre im Kino

When Death appears as an actor in cinema, it presents itself in astonishingly diverse ways: from tired to cunning, from gentle to brutal. However, the iconographic fidelity of the figure to its art historical tradition, complete with robe, carriage, and scythe, is striking. Death in cinema is thus always also an allegory. But how exactly is this cinematic figure conceived? How does cinema achieve the moments of immediacy necessary for empathy with Death? Evelyn Echle presents three exemplary case studies of selected films from different historical periods and discourses. In addition to the silent film classics "The Tired Death" (Germany 1921) and "The Coachman of Death" (Sweden 1921), she analyzes Ingmar Bergman's film "The Seventh Seal" (Sweden 1956), showcasing three canonical deaths in film history and revealing a wealth of historical and cultural aspects.