"Versatile" still sells him short, if you ask me - he could be great in *any* film, good or bad, playing any part - The Seventh Seal AND Flash Gordon AND James Bond AND The Exorcist etc. etc.
I think this is appropriate on QZ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIAvQa9v9Xk
RIP
I wasn't aware that he is still alive until he died.
The movie industry craved for an authentic Arian to play the roles of "Prof.Preobrazenski", "Capt.Schroeder", "Maj.Von Steiner", "Col.O'Donnell", "Dr.Danielsson", "Dr.Novotny", "Dr.Kynes", "Dr.Feldman", "Dr.Huber", "Dr.Bukhanovsky" and other professors, doctors and military men.
This doesn't mean that Max Von Sydow was an extraordinary actor, he was a suitable one. Also a very charming actor, if you are fond of prison camp commander attitude.