THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY

US, 1944, 85 minutes, Black and White.
Lynn Bari, Francis Lederer, Nazimova, Louis Calhern, Akim Tamiroff, Blanche Yurka, Donald Woods.
Directed by Rowland V. Lee.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey is an adaptation of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize winning novel. It is not a particularly successful adaptation, especially in comparison with Sam Wood's 1940 film version of Wilder's play, Our Town. The production looks very much a 'B' production. However, the interiors of 18th century Peru are lavish and also the costumes. The acting, however, is not particularly persuasive except for Akim Tamiroff's performance as Uncle Pio. The silent actress associated with Valentino, Nazimova, also has an interesting role as the Marquesa. The structure of the film seems rather awkward and melodramatic and much of the action is talkative and even seems stilted. However, it is an opportunity to understand something of Wilder's insight into providence and the meaning of life and death. Direction is by Rowland V. Lee, noted for his historical and costume melodramas especially the Robert Donat Count of Monte Cristo.

1. The reputation of the novel, its adaptation and transference to the screen? Wilder's participation in the screenplay? The prize-winning status of the novel? Its impact in the '40s, now?

2. The quality of the production? The re-creation of the period, costumes and decor? How convincing a presentation of Peru and its society in the 18th century? The status of the stars?

3. The importance of the structure: the discussion about providence, the collapse of the bridge without the audience seeing who died? The reaction to deaths on a bridge? Curiosity as regards the five who died? Sharing the curiosity and the religious question with the friar? The investigations? The understanding of the various characters? The build-up to the collapse of the bridge? The ending?

4. The film as a fable about life, death, its meaning? God and providence? The narrative of the friar, the explanation of Peru in 1774? The discussions and interrogations?

5. The portrait of the friar, the motivation for his search, the religious questions he couldn't answer? The audience sharing these? How much insight did he gain in writing down the story? Did the audience share this insight?

6. The focus on Uncle Pio? The audience observing him as a popular man in Lima, the range of his contacts, his style with the poor, with the wealthy e.g. as regards the play, his contacts with the Viceroy himself? His devotion to Michaela, his taking her from singing in the streets, the presentation of the way that he trained her and the montage of how difficult it was for her with so much practice? His success with her? His setting her up in the theatre, his hardness towards her? His ingratiating himself always with the Viceroy, his covering up for Michaela's absence? Her decision to leave him and its effect on him? His continued interest in the city, in furthering his own cause? The importance of his attitude towards Manuel, arranging his escape, manipulating the Viceroy into pardoning him? His being left alive on the edge of the bridge and his puzzle as to the reason for God's letting him live? How well observed a character?

7. Michaela as heroine, the vivacity of her singing in the streets, getting money? Her ambitions, the long hours of being coached? Her ultimate success? Love for Manuel, the jealousy of Estaban? Her promise of fidelity to Manuel? The attentions of the Viceroy and her warding these off? Her going to the palace, her becoming a fashionable lady, the attitude of the people at the palace, the false friendship of the Marquesa? Her being insulted, yet trusting the Marquesa? The importance of the bond with the Viceroy, her fidelity to Manuel? Manuel's return and her going off with him? Estaban and the revelations and her disillusionment? The insulting song, the Viceroy's asking her to repent and her doing this? Her change in pride, the Marquesa's repentance? Her hopes for Manuel, deceiving the Viceroy? Her being on the verge of the bridge and not dying? How well observed a portrait?

8. The character of the Viceroy? His Spanish background, his code, his ruling of the colony? As a man, as an entertainer. his attitude towards his subordinates? His boredom with his guests, drinking and discussing with Pio? His patronising the arts and especially Michaela? The tensions at the dinner, his going to the theatre to apologize ? and Michaela's artificial fainting? His lavishing gifts on her? His reaction to the insulting song, demanding her apology? His proposal of marriage and her warding it off? His granting Manuel's pardon after the confrontation and the possibility of Manuel killing him? His return to Spain, his interpretation of the bridge tragedy? A portrait of a type?

9. The Marquesa and her ambitions, her good manners, her charm, her plans for her daughter. the pseudo-friendship, the insulting song, her maid and her prayer and converting the Marquesa, her repentance and her death?

10. Manuel as hero, his extrovert nature, the sailor, his returns, his reaction to Estaban's attempted suicide, his devotion to Michaela, the confrontation with the Viceroy and not killing him., the arrest and the escape, the happy ending?
11. Estaban as twin brother,. his sense of his brother's presence, jealousy towards Michaela, the writing of the letters, his decision to betray the Marquesa, his dying on the bridge?

12. The maid and her fidelity, her piety, her influence on the Marquesa, her death?

13. The significance of the Indian and his talk to the friar about providence and his dying on the bridge?


14. The background of Spain and its colonies, Peru? Culture, colonialism? Power, society, religion?

15. How significant the theme of death and the meaning that it gives to people's lives? Providence and the fact that people can change so often? Appearances and reality?