Community Chat

[golding76]

Did I overlook a post about the passing of Max von Sydow on March 8?  Because I have not seen a notice of this nature, I am acknowledging his passing in this post and offering a place for comments of appreciation of his work (if you are familiar with some of it and admire his talent).

Von Sydow was a darling of Swedish director Ingmar Bergman and was a startling presence in Bergman's The Seventh Seal, in which he played the Knight.

The multifaceted actor starred in notable American as well as European films.  Some may remember him as the primary exorcising priest in The Exorcist, as Barbara Hershey's bedeviled artist husband in Hannah and Her Sisters, as a settler in the New World in The Emigrants or in a recent role in Game of Thrones.  He played Jesus in The Greatest Story Ever Told.  

Von Sydow was assuredly an actor for the ages.

[Sushismom]

How very, very, very sad. I remember him best in Three Days of the Condor and Minority Report. Another great one dies.

[CANDLEQUEEN]

He was a marvelous actor, and a very interesting man! I had not heard that he passed. Thank-you for posting!

[cbrite]

I read about it on the 8th...I adored him / special man and fantastic actor. He will be missed. Thanks for posting here @golding76 

[alicedee]

I remember how good he was as the elegantly eerie owner of the "special" store in Stephen King's "Needful Things."  

He left behind a wonderful body of work.  May he Rest In Peace,

edited to add:  I read this on his Wikipedia page...sounds very intriguing!  I wonder what exactly happened?!: 

"Von Sydow was reported to be either an agnostic or an atheist.  In 2012, he told Charlie Rose in an interview that Ingmar Bergman had told him he would contact him after death to show him that there was a life after death. When Rose asked von Sydow if he had heard from Bergman, he replied that he had, but chose not to elaborate further on the exact meaning of this statement. In the same interview, he described himself as a doubter in his youth, but stated this doubt was gone, and indicated he came to agree with Bergman's belief in the afterlife."  "

[Oznell]

Oh, he was fabulous.  I had not heard he had died, thanks so much for reporting, alert @golding76 .

Young or old, as a performer he was interesting, subtle, magnificent.

The implications of your wonderful story, @alicedee ,  are so hopeful for him-- glad to hear it!

RIP Max von Sydow.

[beckyb1012]

He was a wonderful actor I enjoyed his movies and his voice.

[golding76]

alicedee,

Your appended statements about Max von Sydow's change in his beliefs was heartening for me personally.  As I often say to those who ask where I stand, in addition to the teachings of my religion about an after-life, I have experienced what can be described as events/happenings that can be ascribed only to a spiritual presence or force.  That's just the way it is.

Believe me, I've had some doozies -- so incredible that I have felt comfortable to share them only with clergy and those who know me best; otherwise, my understanding of reality might be questioned.  What I know is what I have experienced, fully awake and undrugged.  Solidly of the basic world.  It is reassuring when I speak of events that someone else has experienced, even though the event is especially odd and would seem to be a one-off, that it could have happened only to me.

[phoenixbrd]

Much respect for Max von Sydow as an actor.  From Bergman (Seventh Seal an all-time favorite) to Game of Thrones...he will not be forgotten.  Rest in peace.

[alicedee]

@golding76 Though I've never had such an experience, I know someone who did...and trust their word and experience implicitly.   How wonderful you were given an experience of your own.  🌷