The Serpent’s Egg ** (1977, Liv Ullmann, David Carradine, Gert Fröbe, Heinz Bennent) – Classic Movie Review 4837

The Serpent’s Egg is the 1977 unhappy product of writer-director Ingmar Bergman’s tax-induced exile in Germany from his native Sweden. Despite the copious talent involved, we have seen it done better elsewhere. Its star David Carradine is at a loss as Abel Rosenberg, an American Jewish trapeze artist in hot water as Adolph Hitler takes over Berlin in 1923.

Bergman’s long-time interpreter, Liv Ullmann, plays Carradine’s sister-in-law Manuela Rosenberg, whose husband has committed suicide. Abel seeks refuge in the apartment of old acquaintance Professor Hans Veregus (Heinz Bennent).

Though written by Bergman, The Serpent’s Egg is a compendium of clichés. You almost expect to see Liza Minnelli come on at any moment and trill ‘life is a cabaret old chum’. However, there are compensations. It is superficially entertaining, and Rolf Zehetbauer’s plush period sets and Sven Nykvist’s striking images are the film’s main impressive features.

Also in the cast are Gert Fröbe as Inspector Bauer, James Whitmore, Glynn Turman, Hans Quest., Charles Régnier, Grischa Huber and Irene Steinbeisser.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 4837

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