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12 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Bergman Comedy: the definition of an oxymoron, 26 November 2005
Author: JoeytheBrit from www.moviemoviesite.com

Bergman's first colour film – and a rare comedy – is one of those films that are definitely something of an acquired taste and which may only appeal to those already familiar with the usually more sombre director. The farcical story concerns the attempts by an egotistical and pretentious biographer – and amateur composer - to blackmail an enigmatic (and never seen) cellist into performing one of his pieces in return for writing a favourable biography. We learn of Felix the cellist only through the conversations of a bevy of enamoured women who live in his sumptuous manor.

There's a self-mocking tone in this film that doesn't really ring true, and a strong impression that someone behind it all is incredibly impressed by their own cleverness and that any inability on our part to share or understand the joke is more of a reflection on us than it is on them.

Bergman makes good use of colour, and the cinematography is sumptuous throughout as are the women, who all look ravishing. Other than that, however, there's not much to recommend this mercifully brief effort. The lead character Cornelius (Jarl Kulle) is a dislikeable and annoying fool, none of the characters are particularly interesting, and Bergman provides ample ammunition for those who accuse him of having no sense of humour….

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8 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
All These Women Did Not Save It, 21 March 2006
4/10
Author: Galina from Virginia, USA

I never thought that I would have to say that but I did not like the Ingmar Bergman's film "All These Women". In spite the very pretty and delicate pink and blue cinematography and the presence of the charming and talented actresses, the movie was a mess of an attempt to create a comedy. Everything that was subtle, sensual, and charming in B/W "Smiles of a Summer Night" (1955) was missing here. First of all - the Jarl Kulle's performance as a music critic - biographer, Cornelius. Kulle was very effective and funny in "Smiles...", in "Women..." - he plays an irritating, annoying, and the worst - absolutely not funny (which is a crime for a comedy) character. If in "Smiles... the writing was a first class and sparkled, I got the impression that in "Women.." Bergman did not care or did not want to work on the script and was more interested in experimenting with colors and music. The movie looks and sounds fine - it is Bergman, after all, but that's the only redeeming qualities that I found.

4/10

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7 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
Only for the faithful, 23 September 2005
4/10
Author: rwilson-7 from San Francisco CA

Amazing that this film is on DVD. I saw it in 1967 (in suburban Sacramento of all places) and have never seen a trace of it since.

It is a fairly terrible movie, but it does have its place in Bergman's movies. Swedish reviewers at this point in his career were among his severest critics, and this movie was his response. It should have been deft and ironic but, as I think we're all aware by now, Bergman is not exactly over-burdened with a sense of humor. I suppose he also thought color as something of a joke at that time, which might explain some of the very ugly effects.

I can't really recommend the movie but it does give some insight into Bergman, so I rank it a little higher than the other reviewers.

P.S. And I thank Anders, the foreign exchange student from Stockholm at my high school, for making me see this movie and who filled me in on the info about Bergman and the critics. He too thought it a lousy movie.

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13 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :-
A Lemon, 31 December 2002
4/10
Author: ian_harris from London, England

It's taken a few goes, but I have finally discovered that I can dislike a Bergman film. Perhaps Swedish humour shares some characteristics with Danish humour which tends to leave me cold and perplexed.

Several years on, I still cannot get the cheesy, syncopated version of "Yes, We Have No Bananas" out of my head.

The cast try their best but the material is beyond redemption. in fact, this cast does not include the best Bergman people anyhow.

This film simply is not at all funny nor is it interesting once you get 10 minutes in.

It is merely irritating.

This film is a lemon.

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4 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
a professional's waste of time, 24 November 2007
Author: cinemoran from Israel

First of all I have to admit: I never liked Bergman. although being one of the most influential directors in the 20th century, I always saw him and his films as being far too heavy, over dramatical and it seems to me that Bergman tells his thing in a way thats too hard and rigid. other filmmakers do the same with a lot more fun, humor and freedom. all in all, Bergman to me is just an over rated filmmaker.

"All these women" is a TERRIBLE film with a fantastic look. this is thanks to the work of the great Sven Nykvist, Bergman's long time collaborating cinematographer. I can't and will never understand how the Swedish film industry decided to fund this film. maybe they thought they will get something different from Bergman, something funny and relaxing, in contrast to his bleak and melancholic works. but i'm sorry to say, this man has no sense of humor, sorry, had no sense of humor. on the DVD cover it says that the film "FLASHES OF JACQUES TATI AND FELLINI". bullshit! the only thing it flashes is lack of talent! I am really sorry if you are a Bergman fan, but this movie is no more than a lesson in cinematography, and should only be watched as that. if I was Nykvist, i'd say it was a professional waste of time.

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