Max Von Sydow, in the role that really cemented his career, stars as a disillusioned knight Antonius Block, returning from the crusades in the 14th century. Despite having fought for Christianity he finds his faith has dissipated and searches for proof of Gods existence.Enter Death, Death, with a black cowl and white face, has come to fetch him. Antonius manages to win a respite; he challenges Death to a game of chess. As long as they play, Antonius can live, and should he manage to checkmate Death, he may live a while longer. Antonius is determined to win and use his time to find a concrete sign that God really exists.But no matter what he does, Death follows in his footsteps....