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:

...the fleeting emptiness, inevitable pretense, necessary concealments of a clandestine love...a mature theme that neither evades the issue nor spares the spectator.

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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

Finnish censorship certificate register # 045590.

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Goofs

In the scene immediately after the wedding the shadow of a cameraman is visible on the back of Juan's coat as he enters the slum where the cyclist lived.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

Complacency of class...Bardem's commentary

on the Franco dictatorship, the class system of Spain in that era, and how people are in their own microcosm, and live in their own world until it is shattered by crime.

Maria Jose Castro (portrayed by the lovely Lucia Bose) is married to wealthy Miguel Castro (Otello Toso). It is a marriage of convenience, she has everything she wants materially, but nothing of love or emotion left in the marriage. She spends her days in a circle of bored friends, attending lunches, but wishing to be with her lover Juan Fernandez Soler (Alberto Closas).

The cinematography here is intriguing and sinister. Stark landscapes, cold winter, yet the people involved are comfortable and corrupt, drinking and dining.

Of course the character of Rafa Sandoval (played by Carlos Casaravilla) is excellent and elemental to a pivotal part of the story. He has seen the couple in their car on the highway, but just how much he has seen he will not divulge to Maria Jose. It is an ongoing teaser that we watch in suspense...we are not certain what each character will do.

Juan Fernandez, a professor of mathematics is merely existing, he resents his job which was acquired through his in-laws. He is tired of keeping up appearances.

There is a twist and you should watch this film more than once for the subtle nuances and character actors who play a part in the mood.

It begins with the death of a cyclist, but evolves into study of society, politics, and how people act out to endure their mortality, or the prison of their mortality. In the end it is their choice. 10/10.