Although it remains one of the lesser-known classics of European cinema, Death of a Cyclist ranks as one of the most important Spanish films from the 1950s. A passionate communist who wielded considerable influence among artists and filmmakers, director Juan Antonio Bardem (late uncle of Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem) delivered a scathing statement in May 1955—just after his Death of a Cyclist triumphed at Cannes—describing the Spanish film industry as "politically ineffective, socially false, intellectually worthless, aesthetically nonexistent, and industrially crippled." Determined to foster a new, enlightened era of Spanish filmmaking, Bardem's Death of a Cyclist illustrates the burgeoning corruption under the oppressive and decadent Franco regime with an anguished story of an upper-class geometry professor named Juan (Alberto Closas) and his wealthy married mistress Maria José (Lucia Bosé), a bourgeois couple who accidentally run over a bicyclist while driving back from a late-night rendezvous, leaving the injured man to die. After this arresting opening, Bardem proceeds to develop a suspenseful Hitchcockian study of guilt, infidelity, and blackmail, emphasizing compromised ethics and the widening gap between Spain's rich and poor. Death of a Cyclist is anything but dogmatic: a simmering thriller, the film builds palpable tension as Juan and Maria José face the consequences of their selfish and irresponsible behavior. DVD extras on this Criterion Collection release include the 2005 documentary profile of the director “Calle Bardem,” and a booklet featuring an informative essay by USC professor Marsha Kinder, along with the complete May 1955 text of Bardem's “Report on the Current State of Our Cinema.” Highly recommended. (J. Shannon)
Death of a Cyclist
Criterion, 88 min., in Spanish w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95 Volume 23, Issue 4
Death of a Cyclist
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