charlytully Sometimes a novel made into a movie really disappoints (for instance, director Roland Joffe's 1987 misfire THE SCARLET LETTER starring Demi Moore). Sometimes tweaking the story actually heightens the suspense (Richard Brooks' 1965 rendering of LORD JIM starring Peter O'Toole). Sometimes it's justified to carry a book's foreshadowing over into the movie adaptation (as in director Francesco Rosi's 1987 film CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD). But, unfortunately, Thornton Wilder's novel THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY is somewhat off-putting in book form. It is a story which needs to have a cinematic presentation of a more linear format with much less doom-and-gloom to get empathy for the characters from the audience (held captive for two hours, unlike readers who can put down the novel for a while whenever the pall it casts grows too thick). In other words, LORD JIM's Brooks made a 10-of-10 movie from a novel rating an "8" at best. Director Victor Fleming made a "10" movie out of a "7" book in 1939 of (take your pick) THE WIZARD OF OZ or GONE WITH THE WIND. So it's too bad BRIDGE director Mary McGuckian wound up with an "8" film from the "9" book by not being daring enough in her translation of the novel to the screen.

tsennekikke I was influenced by the rating 4.9 out of 10 - so, I didn't expect much of it.However I gave it a 10/10, simply because it's a magnificent movie, well acted, good story, and beautiful music.I have to admit that's it not a movie for everyone...It has such a deep meaning - especially about the subject Love - that this movie won't reach the hearts of those who never ever had a taste of it.It also gives us a viewpoint in regards to the meaning of life. It takes us into another dimension and shows us the bridge between the living and the dead.In any case: if you think you're ready for it... watch the movie - give it a try. You might love it!

rah882 Stunning period drama set in decadent colonial Peru. It is all very confusing with continuity problems, but nevertheless a wonderful piece. But Kathy Bates as a Spanish aristocrat! please!!! Kept expecting Harvey Keitel to jump into a yellow cab any moment. Robert DiNiro as a Bishop .... what a disaster... who were the twins? what was that all about? The bridge scene is great though. I thought the art direction was impeccable and a great score. The DVD has some interesting behind the scenes views. All in all the set locations were well done all shot in Andalucia and southern Spain, all very authentic except that Kathy Bates comes blustering in straight off the set of Frazier trying so hard to be some how all Spanish, Catholic and Aristocratic (ie everything she is not) and blowing it completely

ahof-1 This is a great story, a beautiful movie, with great stars, a good direction, good photography, but a BAD edition. There are two reasons why I think the movie don't work as well as I wish. First: Language. I don't understand why a movie which is fully related to a Spanish/South American history wasn't recorded in Spanish!!! It is terrible to walk by lost regions of Peru without listening to any single word in Spanish. And second: Edition. The story is a philosophical discussion of faith. It has lots of different characters, with its specific stories told in parallel, with enough material for STRONG and UNFORGETTABLE 3 hours of artistic and contemplative (reflexive) art movie. But the director made an option for fast cutting and edition of the story to a "compact" and commercial format. The result is poor. And most important of all: The soundtrack is one of the most beautiful I've seen in a movie for the last 10 years (at minimum). Lalo Schifrin is a great composer, an this is probably one of his best works. Does anyone knows if this soundtrack is available on CDs?