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The Red Desert cover art

The Red Desert Details

1964 Certificate 15
  • 70
  • from 692 members

RED DESERT (IL DESERTO ROSSO) is a post-industrialist masterpiece from director Michelangelo Antonioni. His first film in colour, it stars Monica Vitti as Giuliana, the disturbed wife of a factory owner, Ugo (Carlo Chionetti). Antonioni creates a bleak environment of the Italian countryside, where the natural landscape .. Read more

Starring Monica Vitti, Richard Harris, Carlo Chionetti
Director Michelangelo Antonioni
Genres Drama, World Cinema

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The Red Desert cover art

The Red Desert

RED DESERT (IL DESERTO ROSSO) is a post-industrialist masterpiece from director Michelangelo Antonioni. His first film in colour, it stars Monica Vitti as Giuliana, the disturbed wife of a factory owner, Ugo (Carlo Chionetti). Antonioni creates a bleak environment of the Italian countryside, where the natural landscape surrounding Ugo's factory is shrouded in fog and pollution. The low scratching and churning sound of the factory machines is a constant throughout the film, set off by the electronic beeps and strange female singing that Giuliana--who is losing her mind--hears in her head. Supposedly recovering from shock after a minor car accident, Giuliana's dementia isn't getting any better; new developments in technology, production, and industry--which fascinate Ugo and his business associate, Corrado (Richard Harris)--are foreign and threatening to Giuliana. However, Ugo is gentle and loving to Giuliana, giving her the freedom to wander wherever her fragile psyche leads her. Corrado is inexplicably drawn to Giuliana and he develops a desperate, awkward friendship with her that eventually leads to a small affair. In the end, the dank monotony of the port where they live only alienates Giuliana further, sending her deeper into her delirium. A cold and haunting film with grating sound effects and odd visuals that illustrate Giuliana's psychosis, RED DESERT is an Antonioni standout that stays in the viewer's mind long after the movie ends.

Starring Monica Vitti, Richard Harris, Carlo Chionetti
Director Michelangelo Antonioni
Studio BFI VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 52 mins
Blu-ray: 1 hr 57 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama, World Cinema
Language DVD: Italian
Blu-ray: Italian
Subtitles DVD: English
Blu-ray: English
Released Production year: 1964

To Rent:
DVD: 27 Oct 2008
Blu-ray: 27 Oct 2008

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    • The Red Desert - Blu-ray

    • The Red Desert - Blu-ray
      RED DESERT (IL DESERTO ROSSO) is a post-industrialist masterpiece from director Michelangelo Antonioni. His first film in colour, it stars Monica Vitti as Giuliana, the disturbed wife of a factory owner, Ugo (Carlo Chionetti). Antonioni creates a bleak environment of the Italian countryside, where ...
    • The Red Desert

    • The Red Desert
      RED DESERT (IL DESERTO ROSSO) is a post-industrialist masterpiece from director Michelangelo Antonioni. His first film in colour, it stars Monica Vitti as Giuliana, the disturbed wife of a factory owner, Ugo (Carlo Chionetti). Antonioni creates a bleak environment of the Italian countryside, where ...

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