Couch Potato's Tuesday Trivia: The Seventh Seal and the serendipitous creation of an iconic scene

(Image credit: Contract Number (Programme))

The Seventh Seal's iconic final scene (featuring the image of the Dance of Death - it'd be a spoiler to say any more than that) was totally unplanned and completely improvised.

Apparently, on the day this scene was shot, the cast and crew had already packed up for the day because of an approaching storm. However, when director Ingmar Bergman spotted an unusual cloud, he asked his photographer to set back up.

And, taking advantage of that strange dark cloud, Bergman persuaded assistants, electricians, a make-up man and two random tourists to dress up in costume to create what has become one of the most unforgettable images of cinema.

The Seventh Seal is showing today - 12th April - at 10.50pm on Film 4.

Discuss this film on our Movie Talk Facebook page or Movie Talk Twitter stream