The Seventh Day

Disillusioned knight Antonius Block and his cynical squire Jöns return to their homeland after a harrowing experience in the Crusades. They arrive in a country devastated by the plague, with a sense of despair and loss hanging heavily in the air.

Upon their return, Block encounters Death personified, who has come to claim him. In a daring move, Block challenges Death to a chess match, hoping to prolong his life for as long as the game continues.

The knight and squire pass by a group of traveling actors, including Jof, his wife Mia, and their infant son Mikael. Jof experiences a vision of Mary leading the infant Jesus, which he recounts to the skeptical Mia, showcasing a contrast between belief and doubt.

Block and Jöns enter a church where a fresco of the Danse Macabre is being painted. Block expresses his desire to perform one significant act before he dies, revealing his existential crisis in the face of death and the futility he feels.

After leaving the church, Block speaks to a young woman who is condemned to be burned at the stake. He hopes she will provide insights into the afterlife but learns she is mentally unstable, heightening his sense of despair.

In a deserted village, Jöns intervenes just in time to save a mute servant girl from being assaulted by Raval, a former theologian from the Crusades. Jöns vows vengeance against Raval, showcasing his anger towards those who have brought suffering.

The group arrives in town, where the actors engage the locals in their performance. They are interrupted by a procession of flagellants, serving as a grim reminder of the era's fanaticism and the societal impact of the plague.

At the inn, Raval manipulates other patrons to intimidate Jof, creating a tense atmosphere. The confrontation escalates until Jöns intervenes, marking a pivotal moment that highlights the themes of friendship and protection.

Block shares a peaceful picnic with Mia, enjoying milk and wild strawberries she has gathered. This moment of beauty remains etched in Block's memory, contrasting sharply with the surrounding chaos and death.

Block invites Jof's family and the actors to take refuge in his castle from the plague. Their journey is fraught with tension as they encounter Skat and Lisa in the woods, leading to a dramatic confrontation about loyalty and trust.

Block meets the condemned woman once more as she is taken to her execution. He gives her herbs to ease her pain, emphasizing his compassion even as he grapples with the meaning of life and death.

After encountering Raval afflicted by the plague, Jöns prevents the servant girl from helping him. As Raval dies alone, it serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of one's actions and the isolation resulting from betrayal.

Block finds himself playing chess with Death once again. Despite his efforts to overturn the game, Death ultimately wins, symbolizing the inevitability of mortality and the futility of resisting fate.

As Death arrives at the party, Block shares a final meal with his companions. This moment unites them in a last act of defiance against their impending doom, underlining the themes of camaraderie amidst despair.

Amidst a storm, Jof interprets the weather as the Angel of Death passing by their caravan. The following morning, he envisions Block and his companions participating in a haunting Dance of Death, symbolizing their acceptance of fate.