Death of a Cyclist
Muerte de un ciclista
Spain • 1955
Director
#427Criterion Collection →Synopsis
Upper-class geometry professor Juan and his wealthy, married mistress, Maria José, driving back from a late-night rendezvous, accidentally hit a cyclist, and run. The resulting, exquisitely shot tale of guilt, infidelity, and blackmail reveals the wide gap between the rich and the poor in Spain, and surveys the corrupt ethics of a society seduced by decadence. Juan Antonio Bardem’s charged melodrama DEATH OF A CYCLIST (MUERTE DE UN CICLISTA) was a direct attack on 1950s Spanish society under Franco’s rule. Though it was affected by the dictates of censorship, its sting could never be dulled.
Synopsis
Upper-class geometry professor Juan and his wealthy, married mistress, Maria José, driving back from a late-night rendezvous, accidentally hit a cyclist, and run. The resulting, exquisitely shot tale of guilt, infidelity, and blackmail reveals the wide gap between the rich and the poor in Spain, and surveys the corrupt ethics of a society seduced by decadence. Juan Antonio Bardem’s charged melodrama DEATH OF A CYCLIST (MUERTE DE UN CICLISTA) was a direct attack on 1950s Spanish society under Franco’s rule. Though it was affected by the dictates of censorship, its sting could never be dulled.
Criterion Closet Pick
(1)
Credits
Crew
DirectorJuan Antonio Bardem
CinematographerAlfredo Fraile
ComposerIsidro B. Maiztegui
EditorMargarita Ochoa
ProducerManuel J. Goyanes
Cast
Lucia Bosèas María José de Castro
Alberto Closasas Juan Fernández Soler
Bruna Corràas Matilde Luque Carvajal