Bridge/M-G-M. Director Michelangelo Antonioni; Producer Carlo Ponti; Screenplay Michelangelo Antonioni, Tonino Guerra, Edward Bond; Camera Carlo Di Palma; Editor [Frank Clarke]; Music Herbie Hancock; Art Director Assheton Gorton
Vanessa Redgrave
Sarah Miles
David Hemmings
John Castle
Jane Birkin
Gillian Hills
There may be some meaning, some commentary about life being a game, beyond what remains locked in the mind of film's creator, Italian director-writer Michelangelo Antonioni. But it is doubtful that the general public will get the 'message' of this film, [from a short story by Julio Cortazar]. As a commentary on a sordid, confused side of humanity in this modern age it's a bust.
Filmed in England and Antonioni's first English-speaking production, interesting use is made of London backgounds. There also is certain sustained interest at times as the audience presses hopefully to piece together the significance of the story (?).
Footage centers on a topflight London fashion photographer who learns of a murder through his secret lensing of a couple he sees embracing in a park. Through a series of blow-ups of the many exposures he snapped he finds indications of a murder, and visiting the park again discovers the body of the man whom he had been photographing.
David Hemmings makes an interesting impression as the bulber whose studio is invaded by various femmes, and Vanessa Redgrave, as the woman involved in the park, projects another vivid impression.
1967: Nominations: Best Director, Original Story & Screenplay
(Color) Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1966. Running time: 110 MIN.
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