Peter Cowie's book chronicles the life and the 60-year film and stage career of Bergman as he wrestles of themes of love, sex and betrayal with the figure of Death hovering overhead.

Blending biographical information with critical comment, Cowie presents a man whose life and work were intimately fused.

'With his death in 2007, an entire age of cinema had come to an end.' - Wim Wenders

'Bergman's films stand alone as beacons in film history.' - Wim Wenders