Originally intended to be his final theatrical feature, Fanny and Alexander (Fanny och Alexander, 1982) proved to be Bergman's warmest, most accessible, appealing and autobiographical film – one that combined his trademark melancholy with life-affirming joyfulness and sensuality. The film's delightful and charming story revolves around two children belonging to a wealthy, extensive theatrical family in provincial Sweden in the early years of the 20th century – 10-year-old Alexander Ekdahl (Bertil Guve) and his younger sister, Fanny (Pernilla Alwin).

Shortly after their father dies unexpectedly after falling ill during a theatrical performance, Fanny and Alexander's mother decides to remarry, forcing them to relocate to the austere and possibly haunted home of their stern and coldhearted stepfather, Bishop Vergerus (Jan Malmsjo). The bishop's cruelty towards his stepchildren extends to imprisoning them in the attic but a means of escape is eventually provided by Isak Jacobi (Erland Josephson), a longtime friend of the Ekdahl family who seems to possess magical powers.

Described by Bergman as "the sum total of my life as a film-maker", Fanny and Alexander is a masterful work from one of world cinema's most legendary figures. Winner of numerous international film awards including Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction, and a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film, Ingmar Bergman's sumptuously mounted masterpiece arrives on UK DVD on 16th November 2009 in a brand new presentation digitally restored from the original negative and soundtrack courtesy of Palisades Tartan at the RRP of £19.99. No extra features have been detailed.