Death of a Cyclist (1955)

A couple having an affair strike a bicyclist with their car and do not offer aid out of fear of their relationship being exposed.

Director:

Juan Antonio Bardem (as J.A. Bardem)

Writers:

Juan Antonio Bardem (as J.A. Bardem), Luis Fernando de Igoa (original story) (as L.F. de Igoa)

Stars:

Lucia Bosé, Alberto Closas, Bruna Corrà

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lucia Bosé	...	María José de Castro (as Lucia Bose)
Alberto Closas	...	Juan Fernández Soler
Bruna Corrà	...	Matilde Luque Carvajal (as Bruna Corra)
Carlos Casaravilla	...	Rafael Sandoval
Otello Toso	...	Miguel Castro
Alicia Romay	...	Carmina
Julia Delgado Caro	...	Doña Maria
Matilde Muñoz Sampedro	...	Vecina del ciclista
Mercedes Albert	...	Cristina
José Sepúlveda	...	Comisario (as Jose Sepulveda)
José Prada	...	Decano (as Jose Prada)
Fernando Sancho	...	Guardia de tráfico
Manuel Alexandre	...	Otro ciclista
Jacinto San Emeterio	...	Joaquín
Manuel Arbó	...	Padre Iturrioz (as Manuel Arbo)

Storyline

Juan is an academic, his career stalled, teaching at the university because of his brother-in-law's prestige. María José is a socialite, married to wealth, bored but attached to her comforts. The two are lovers. On an isolated country road, their car strikes a cyclist; fearing exposure, they leave him to die. Distracted, Juan unjustly fails a student. Rafa, a bitter savant in their social circle, hints that he knows something, and he threatens to expose them to María José's husband, Miguel. Miguel's pride may be the lovers' best hope. Then Juan proposes a solution.

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Plot Keywords:

adultery | road accident | bicycle | accident | title spoken by character | 

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Taglines:

Hit and Run Lovers...Caught in a Web of Blackmail, Deception and Murder

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Spain Italy

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

9 September 1955 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Death of a Cyclist

Filming Locations:

Estudios Chamartín, Madrid, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Guión Producciones Cinematográficas,Suevia Films - Cesáreo González,Trionfalcine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 19524 delivered on 24-8-1955.

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Goofs

While Maria and Miguel walk along the side of the house at the wedding a boom mic and a cameraman are clearly reflected in the large windows along the wall.

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Connections

Featured in Cuando Franco murió, yo tenía 30 años (2005)

User Reviews

Spanish classic drama with magnificent players and good direction

This academic film is based on real events about news publicized when a cyclist was smashed by a car which hits and runs . The car is driven by an adulterous couple formed by an University professor (Alberto Closas) and a beautiful woman (Lucia Bose) married to an important man (Otello) . Later on , they're blackmailed by a swindler (Carlos Casaravilla) .

This splendid drama develops the adulterous loves between a teacher full of doubts and a high bourgeoisie lady . Fine performances from Argentinian actor Alberto Closas as the guilty professor and Lucia Bose , recently his work for Antionini , plays as a selfish Femme-fatale . Secondary acting by Carlos Casaravilla as an excellent villain , Fernando Sancho as a cop and Manuel Alexandre at a special ending intervention . Atmospheric and Neo-realist cinematography by Alfredo Fraile and adequate musical score . The motion picture was well directed By Juan Antonio Bardem . This is a 'rara avis' film of the 50s because dealing upon an adulterous love , political events and murder . Bardem had to fight the censorship which didn't admit the adultery , love scenes , neither crimes and obligated a tragic end . This one is deservedly considered one of the best movies of the Spanish cinema . Rating : Above average , essential and indispensable seeing for Spanish cinema fans .