MAX VON SYDOW

From Porch Editor Gareth Higgins:

For over sixty years, Max von Sydow invented and reinvented acting. He was almost certainly not interested in being called "the greatest", though he probably was that; he was certainly one of the few screen presences who made better every single film he was in. He also spoke my favorite line in any movie (ask me if you see me and I'll tell you what it is), played Ming the Merciless and Jesus, doesn't sell his work by the yard, and has been an elder in my life since he was younger than I am now.

He died yesterday, at 90 years old. He worked so much that he still has one unreleased film. For those of us who didn't know him personally, we can perhaps smile the smile of gratitude for a life dedicated to embodying characters who suffer and enjoy life, and at least two or three who show us the way.

THE SEVENTH SEAL
THE VIRGIN SPRING
WINTER LIGHT
THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD
THE EMIGRANTS
THE EXORCIST
THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR
FLASH GORDON
CONAN THE BARBARIAN
NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN
DREAMSCAPE
DUNE
HANNAH AND HER SISTERS
PELLE THE CONQUEROR
AWAKENINGS
UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD
WHAT DREAMS MAY COME
SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS
MINORITY REPORT
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
SHUTTER ISLAND
ROBIN HOOD