The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers (WGA):

Richard LaGravenese (screenplay)
Robert James Waller (novel)

Release Date:

2 June 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Photographer Robert Kincaid wanders into the life of housewife Francesca Johnson, for four days in the 1960s.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Bridge | Photographer | Housewife | 1960s

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 7 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Clint Eastwood	...	Robert Kincaid
Meryl Streep	...	Francesca Johnson
Annie Corley	...	Carolyn Johnson
Victor Slezak	...	Michael Johnson
Jim Haynie	...	Richard Johnson
Sarah Kathryn Schmitt	...	Young Carolyn
Christopher Kroon	...	Young Michael
Phyllis Lyons	...	Betty
Debra Monk	...	Madge
Richard Lage	...	Lawyer Peterson
Michelle Benes	...	Lucy Redfield
Alison Wiegert	...	Child #1
Brandon Bobst	...	Child #2
Pearl Faessler	...	Wife
R.E. 'Stick' Faessler	...	Husband
Tania Mishler	...	Waitress #1
Billie McNabb	...	Waitress #2
Art Breese	...	Cashier
Lana Schwab	...	Saleswoman
Larry Loury	...	UPS Driver
James Rivers	...	James Rivers Band
Mark A. Brooks	...	James Rivers Band
Peter Cho	...	James Rivers Band
Eddie Dejean Sr.	...	James Rivers Band
Jason C. Brewer	...	James Rivers Band
Kyle Eastwood	...	James Rivers Band
George Orrison	...	Café Patron
Ken Billeter	...	Café Patron
Judy Trask	...	Café Patron
David Trask	...	Café Patron
Edna Dolson	...	Café Patron
Dennis McCool	...	Café Patron
Michael C. Pommier	...	Café Patron
Jana Corkrean	...	Café Patron
M. Jane Seymour	...	Café Patron
Karla Jo Soper	...	Café Patron

Directed by
Clint Eastwood

Writing credits (WGA)
Richard LaGravenese		(screenplay)
Robert James Waller		(novel)

Produced by
Clint Eastwood	....	producer
Kathleen Kennedy	....	producer
Michael Maurer	....	associate producer
Tom Rooker	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Lennie Niehaus

Cinematography by
Jack N. Green		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Joel Cox

Casting by
Ellen Chenoweth

Production Design by
Jeannine Claudia Oppewall		(as Jeannine Oppewall)

Art Direction by
William Arnold

Set Decoration by
Jay Hart

Costume Design by
Colleen Kelsall

Makeup Department
Michael Hancock	....	makeup artist (as Mike Hancock)
J. Roy Helland	....	hair stylist: Meryl Streep
J. Roy Helland	....	makeup artist: Meryl Streep
Carol A. O'Connell	....	hair stylist (as Carol O'Connell)

Production Management
Jim Behnke	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Bill Bannerman	....	first assistant director
Robert Lorenz	....	second assistant director
Bill Bannerman	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
Edward Aiona	....	property master
Charles William Breen	....	assistant art director (as Charles W. Breen)
Edward England	....	construction coordinator
Tyler Osman	....	construction foreman
Ricky Riggs	....	stand-by painter
Michael Sexton	....	assistant property master
Robert Lucas	....	lead man (uncredited)
Tom Osman	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Christopher Woodworth	....	lead painter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Rick Alexander	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Dick Alexander)
George H. Anderson	....	dialogue editor (as George Anderson)
Bub Asman	....	supervising sound editor
Patrick Bietz	....	foley editor
Kevin Boyd	....	cable
Neil Burrow	....	foley editor
Willie D. Burton	....	sound mixer
Lucy Coldsnow-Smith	....	supervising dialogue editor
Samuel C. Crutcher	....	sound effects editor
Mike Dobie	....	sound effects editor
Les Fresholtz	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Les Freshholtz)
Richard Friedman	....	adr supervisor (as Dick Friedman)
Eric Gotthelf	....	foley mixer
Joseph A. Ippolito	....	dialogue editor (as Joey Ippolito)
Scott D. Jackson	....	foley supervisor
Constance A. Kazmer	....	dialogue editor
James J. Klinger	....	sound effects editor
Gary Krivacek	....	sound effects editor
Marvin E. Lewis	....	boom operator (as Marvin Lewis)
Darrin Martin	....	assistant sound editor
John Morrisey	....	sound effects editor
Alan Robert Murray	....	supervising sound editor
Kim Nolan	....	assistant sound editor (as Kimberly Nolan)
Jayme S. Parker	....	dialogue editor (as Jayme Parker)
Vern Poore	....	sound re-recording mixer
Madeleine Swift	....	assistant sound editor
Greg Thompson	....	assistant sound editor
Butch Wolf	....	foley editor
Troy Porter	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Jeff Denes	....	special effects
John Frazier	....	special effects consultant
Joe Pancake	....	special effects
Frances Pennington	....	special effects (as Francis Pennington)
Steve Riley	....	special effects coordinator

Stunts
Pauline Lomas	....	stunts (as Pauline Arthur)
Shelley Phillips	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Stephen S. Campanelli	....	Steadicam operator
Stephen S. Campanelli	....	camera operator
Colin J. Campbell	....	chief lighting technician
Bill Coe	....	first assistant camera (as William Coe)
Dick Deats	....	key grip (as Dicky Deats)
Jerry C. Deats	....	dolly grip
Frank R. Jimenez Jr.	....	rigging gaffer (as Frankie R. Jimenez Jr.)
Michael E. Matteson	....	best boy grip
Ken Regan	....	still photographer
Frank Scheidbach	....	assistant lighting technician
John Waldo	....	second assistant camera (as John A. Waldo)
Dean M. Simmon	....	film loader (uncredited)

Casting Department
James Axotis	....	extras casting
Gabriela Leff	....	casting assistant (as Gabby Leff)
Michelle Vanderpool-Kohrs	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
David Davenport	....	wardrobe supervisor
Kelly Lindquist	....	set costumer: men
Deedee Montesanto	....	set costumer: women

Editorial Department
Michael Cipriano	....	assistant film editor
Patrick Flannery	....	assistant film editor
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Bob Putynkowski	....	color timer
Don Roth	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
Robert Fernandez	....	scoring mixer (as Bobby Fernandez)
Donald Harris	....	music editor
Bruce Ricker	....	music consultant
Peter Afterman	....	music supervisor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Gene Biernot	....	transportation captain
Keith Dillin	....	transportation coordinator
Larry Stelling	....	picture car coordinator (uncredited)

Other crew
Marco Barla	....	unit publicist
Lisa A. Becker	....	production secretary
Adam Bernhard	....	production associate
Paul A. Calabria	....	animal trainer (as Paul Calabria)
B. Ted Deiker	....	production associate
Matt Freeman	....	assistant: Kathleen Kennedy
James W. Gavin	....	helicopter pilot
Ken Haber	....	location manager
Cate Hardman	....	script supervisor
Jeff Kloss	....	production accountant (as Jeffrey Kloss)
Linda Mason	....	craft service
Jason D. McGatlin	....	assistant production secretary (as Jason McGatlin)
Erich Moeller	....	production associate
Maggie Pierson	....	assistant: Meryl Streep
Ken Regan	....	technical consultant
David Romano	....	assistant production accountant
Melissa Rooker	....	assistant: Clint Eastwood
Kara Sjoblom	....	production associate
Roselyn Winward	....	assistant production accountant
Channing Work	....	production associate
Gillian Wynn	....	production associate
Kaylene Carlson	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Jenny Elsinger	....	set production assistant (uncredited)
Tony Kerum	....	caterer (uncredited)
Stephen A. Marinaccio II	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Gerald F. Nichols	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros. (presents) (as Warner Bros.)
• Amblin Entertainment (producer) (as Amblin/Malpaso)
• Malpaso Productions (producer) (as Amblin/Malpaso)

Distributors

• Warner Bros. (1995) (USA) (theatrical)
• ELKE (1995) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. Entertainment (1995) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (1996) (Germany) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1996) (USA) (VHS) (Pan and scan)
• Warner Home Video (1996) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1998) (USA) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (1998) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Canada) (DVD) (widescreen)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
• Audio Visual Enterprises (1996) (Greece) (VHS)
• Warner Bros. (Argentina)
• Warner Bros. (Spain)

Other Companies

• Avid Film Composer  edited on
• BT Industrial Supply  expendables
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes
• Citizens of Madison County, Iowa  the producers gratefully acknowledge the invaluable help and cooperation of: for their support and friendship during the production of this film
• Citizens of West Des Moines, Iowa  the producers gratefully acknowledge the invaluable help and cooperation of: for their support and friendship during the production of this film
• Citizens of Winterset, Iowa  the producers gratefully acknowledge the invaluable help and cooperation of: for their support and friendship during the production of this film
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)  this picture made under the jurisdiction of (as I.A.T.S.E.®)
• Iowa Film Commission  the producers gratefully acknowledge the invaluable help and cooperation of: for their support and friendship during the production of this film (as the Film Commission of Iowa)
• Malpaso Records  soundtrack on (as MALPASO Cassettes and CDs)
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Panavision  camera and lenses
• Tony's Food Service  caterer
• Vista Group  the producers gratefully acknowledge the invaluable help and cooperation of: for their support and friendship during the production of this film
• WB Music Corp.  copyright owner: all original music compositions
• Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.  copyright owner: all original music compositions

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 on appeal for some sexuality and brief strong language (re-rating on appeal)

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Germany:12 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (re-rating on appeal) (certificate #33820) | Canada:PG (Ontario) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Singapore:R(A) | Iceland:L | Philippines:R-18 | France:Unrated | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:M | USA:R (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Adel, Iowa, USA

Company:

Warner Bros.

Trivia:

The studio was initially only interested in casting younger actresses in the lead but were failing to find anyone suitable. The idea to talk to Meryl Streep largely came from Clint Eastwood's own mother.

Goofs:

Factual errors: After Francesca's husband and children return from the Illinois State Fair, her husband indicates it took them about 3 1/2 hours to drive back. That would barely get them from Madison County to the Illinois border. The Illinois State Fair is held exactly 374.28 miles from Madison County, at least a 9 hour drive in 1965

Quotes:

Francesca:But love won't obey our expectations. Its mystery is pure and absolute. What Robert and I had, could not continue if we were together. What Richard and I shared would vanish if we were apart. But how I wanted to share this. How would our lives have changed if I had? Could anyone else have seen the beauty of it?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Serendipity (2001)

Soundtrack:

Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix

There won't be a dry eye in the house!

On the page "The Bridges of Madison County" often read like a reject from Mills and Boon and yet it was tremendously popular. People who normally wouldn't read this sort of thing were not only reading it but quoting it. You could say that for some people it held the kind of camp appeal that bad books sometimes do for the so-called intelligentsia. Personally, I am inclined to think that its tale of middle-aged romance struck a cord. It may not have been well-written but many people recognized in its two central characters a reflection of themselves. It spoke of a great passion and a great loss; a "Brief Encounter" for the nineties. Still, it never quite seemed like a vehicle for Clint Eastwood; (once upon a time you might have envisaged Arthur Hiller doing it), yet here it is, larger than life on the big screen and utterly lovely, utterly heart-breaking.

Perhaps Eastwood chose to film it as a vehicle for himself. He wears the mantle of the ageing Lothario perfectly at an age when most romantic leads are played by much younger men, (or are simply non-existent), yet who blanched when Gary Cooper or Cary Grant were wooing Audrey Hepburn well into their old age. Admittedly Eastwood isn't entirely comfortable in this sort of role. He's not a versatile actor. His best performances have been as tortured losers or just old-fashioned tough guys but under his own direction he blossoms here. Of course, the 'romantic' in Eastwood has never been hard to find. You need look only to the scores he has composed. (He has written the main love theme here and his use of classic jazz standards by the likes of Dinah Washington and Johnny Hartman adds considerably to the film's beating heart).

What is remarkable is that essentially Eastwood's film is really something of a chamber piece for two players. A few other characters flit into the frame but for most of the time there is no one on screen but Eastwood and co-star Meryl Streep and this is one of Streep's great performances. As Francesca, the woman who finds in Eastwood's photographer Robert the one great passion in her life albeit briefly and at a time when the likelihood of such a thing happening was remote indeed, Streep is extraordinary. Sometimes Streep can overwhelm a project; her versatility doesn't always work in favour of lesser material. But here she seems to have tapped quite effortlessly, not just into the consciousness of her character, but into her very soul as well. And if that sounds cheesy, let me assure you it isn't. Cheesiness isn't in Streep's vocabulary, even if it is in mine! Perhaps Eastwood was able to discern in Robert James Waller's novel the seeds of a great love story or perhaps he just felt he could bring his artistry to bear on some unlikely source material. Whatever, it's paid off. On screen "The Bridges of Madison County" is a great love story; there won't be a dry eye in the house.