The Visit *** (1964, Ingrid Bergman, Anthony Quinn, Paolo Stoppa) – Classic Movie Review 9758

Director Bernhard Wicki’s 1964 The Visit [Der Besuch] stars Ingrid Bergman as rich Carla Zachanassian, who goes back home to bribe the townsfolk and to kill Serge Miller (Anthony Quinn), who seduced and drove her away years ago.

Based on Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s play, The Visit has a compelling idea and excellent performances, and has obvious quality on its side. But the aloof film has no wide appeal and, good though she is, it is hard to accept Bergman in such a role.

Also in the cast are Paolo Stoppa, Irina Demick, Claude Dauphin, Eduardo Ciannelli, Romolo Valli, Valentina Cortese, Hans Christian Blech, Marco Guglielmi, Jacques Dufilho, and Fausto Tozzi.

The Visit [Der Besuch] is directed by Bernhard Wicki, runs 100 minutes, is made by Deutsche Fox, Cinecittà, Dear Film, Les Films du Siècle and PECF, is released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Ben Barzman and Maurice Valency, based on Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s play, is shot in black and white and widescreen by Armando Nannuzzi, is produced by Julien Derode and Anthony Quinn, is scored by Hans-Martin Majewski and Richard Arnell, and is designed by Léon Barsacq.

René Hubert was Oscar nominated for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White.

The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival (1964).

The stars re-teamed for A Walk in the Spring Rain (1970).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9758

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