The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2004)

Director:

Mary McGuckian

Writers:

Mary McGuckian (writer)
Thornton Wilder (novel)

Release Date:

22 December 2004 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Five Lives Bound By One Fate.

Plot:

In 1714 Peru, a friar is tried by the Inquisition for questioning God's intentions when five die in the collapse of an Andean rope bridge.

Plot Keywords:

Rope Bridge | Inquisition | Heresy | Trial | Lima Peru

Awards:

1 win

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

F. Murray Abraham	...	Viceroy of Peru
Kathy Bates	...	The Marquesa
Gabriel Byrne	...	Brother Juniper
Geraldine Chaplin	...	The Abbess
Robert De Niro	...	Archbishop of Peru
Émilie Dequenne	...	Doña Clara
Adriana Domínguez	...	Pepita
Harvey Keitel	...	Uncle Pio
Samuel Le Bihan	...	Dona Clara's Husband
Pilar López de Ayala	...	Camila Villegas (La Perichola)
John Lynch	...	Captain Alvarado
Dominique Pinon	...	His Excellency's Fop
Mark Polish	...	Manuel
Michael Polish	...	Esteban
Jim Sheridan	...	The King of Spain

Also Known As:

El puente de San Luis Rey (Spain)
Le pont du roi Saint-Louis (France)
El puente de San Luis Rey (Argentina) (cable TV title) (Venezuela) [es]
A Ponte de San Luis Rey (Brazil) [pt]
Le pont du roi Saint-Louis (Canada: French title) [fr]
Szent Lajos király hídja (Hungary) [hu]
To mystiko tis gefyras (Greece) [el]

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, some disturbing images and some sensuality.

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

Spain | UK | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Hungary:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Brazil:10 | Netherlands:12 | Spain:13 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Málaga, Andalucía, Spain

Company:

Tribeca Productions

Quotes:

Captain Alvarado: We do what we can! We push on, Esteban, as best we can, and it isn't for long as time keeps going by. You'll be surprisedat how quickly time passes.

Movie Connections:

References La périchole, la chanteuse et le dictateur (2000) (TV)

Excellent production design and gowns but narrated with slowness

The movie focuses a priest Brother Juniper(Gabriel Byrne)investigates the noted highly rope bridge collapse in Lima(Peru).It left five travellers people fall into deep and die.The Franciscano priest tries to discover if was a divine cause for the fateful disaster.He'll survey the life and events of the deceased persons.Thus,the lonely Marquesa(Kathy Bates)who is helped by an orphan(Adriana Dominguez),La Penichola(Pilar Lopez de Ayala)a famous actress but ill-fated and uncle Pio(Harvey Keitel).However his investigation lead him to the Inquisition judgement in a court ruled by the Viceroy of Peru(F.Murray Abraham) and as public prosecutor the Archbishop(Robert De Niro).

The film is set in XVIII century,Peru. Scenarios are impressive but no the argument but is confused and with some gaps plot,besides is slow moving that makes it a little bored and tired. Star studded casting is important with known and famed actors but with a far fetching storyline ,they appear acting with no sense. However the sets including places,cathedrals,church,square.. are mesmerizing ,besides the exterior outdoors and landscapes are spectacular,thus the production design was realized by Gil Parrondo(winner Academy Award by Patton) .Besides the brilliant and luxurious costume design was made by Ivonne Blake(Oscar by Doctor Zivago and Nicholas and Alexandra). The glimmer cinematography is by Javier Aguirresarobe(the others) as is reflected on the marvelous landscapes of Peru(although is shot in Spain).Lalo Schifrin score is sensitive and atmospheric with typical South American music.The film is based in upon the novel by Thornton Wilder and filmed previously by Rowland V.Lee in 1944.The motion picture is regularly directed by Mary McGukian. The film will like to epoch cinema fans. Rating :Average and mediocre