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
as Jöns
Bengt Ekerot
as Death
Nils Poppe
as Jof
Max von Sydow
as Antonius Block
Bibi Andersson
as Mia
Inga Gill
as Lisa
Maud Hansson
as Witch
Inga Landgré
as Karin
Gunnel Lindblom
as Mute Girl
Bertil Anderberg
as Raval
Anders Ek
as Monk
Åke Fridell
as Plog
