A successful mod photographer in London whose world is bounded by fashion, pop music, marijuana, and easy sex, feels his life is boring and despairing. But in the course of a single day he unknowingly captures a death on film.
Direction
Antonioni turns a photo blow-up into pure existential dread.
Cinematography
Every frame looks like it belongs in a gallery.
Acting
Hemmings radiates bored arrogance that curdles into panic.
Director
Michelangelo Antonioni
David Hemmings
Thomas
Vanessa Redgrave
Jane
Sarah Miles
Patricia
John Castle
Bill
Veruschka von Lehndorff
Veruschka
Jane Birkin
The Blonde
Gillian Hills
The Brunette
Peter Bowles
Ron
Julian Chagrin
Mime
Jimmy Page
Self - The Yardbirds (uncredited)
Jeff Beck
Self - The Yardbirds (uncredited)
Tsai Chin
Thomas's Receptionist (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film basically invented the 'blow-up the photo to find the clue' trope that every thriller has ripped off since. You're welcome, CSI.
The Yardbirds cameo where Jeff Beck smashes his guitar was shot in one take; the crowd's confusion is real. Antonioni just kept rolling.
GB
