When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof and his wife, Mia, and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.
Gunnar Björnstrand
Jöns
Bengt Ekerot
Death
Nils Poppe
Jof
Max von Sydow
Antonius Block
Bibi Andersson
Mia
Inga Gill
Lisa
Maud Hansson
Witch
Inga Landgré
Karin
Gunnel Lindblom
Mute Girl
Bertil Anderberg
Raval
Anders Ek
Monk
Åke Fridell
Plog
Gunnar Olsson
Albertus Pictor
Erik Strandmark
Jonas Skat
Lars Lind
Young Monk (uncredited)
