If you're in the mood for a dose of the mod-mod-mod 60's, then thisis the movie for you. Blow-Up, 1966, inspired by Julio Cortázar's short
story, Las Babas del Diablo, stars David Hemmings, (you remember
him as Mordred in the film version of Camelot), who brilliantly plays
a rich, sulky fashion photographer, who accidentally captures a
murder on film.
Speaking of Camelot, the gorgeous young Vanessa Redgrave sizzles
as the mystery woman in this movie. Set in a dreary post war
London, the all British cast, including Sarah Miles, is expertly
directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. The film also includes celebrity
cameo appearances by Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck playing together
as The Yardbirds, and Monty Pythoner Michael Palin in a crowd
scene.
This is not an action film, nor is it one with an intriguing or
intelligent plot. It is pure art house and a feast for the eyes. It's
wonderfully slow moving and avant-garde, so kick back in those
woolly socks, my bloggy friends and enjoy a groovy trip back to the
swingin' 60's.
Saw it when it came out all those years ago.
ReplyDeleteFabulous film willow, brilliant choice.
ReplyDeleteI watch it again and again for Jimmy, I'm afraid - his only film appearance until "The Song Remains The Same", which, concert footage aside, is only for real Zep Heads.
I did so love this movie. It just about has it all doesn't it? And Vanessa Redgrave could make an iceberg melt.
ReplyDeleteOh how lovely to see Mr. Hemmings looking so young and sexy. He got very big and bloated towards the end of his life and it was hard to see that photographer character in him.
ReplyDeleteSwoon. Love mod.
ReplyDeleteDon't believe I ever saw this one, Willow...if it is on the Netflix, "Play It Now" list, I might watch it tonight while I am still at my mom's. I may actually extend my stay a few more days as there is still so much more to try and accomplish while I am here.
ReplyDeleteIncredible picture there of her. LOVE that belt. So very mod and you know I love mod! That clip was s campy in a tasteful way and the music wonderfully 60's. I'm quite sure I'd enjoy this movie.
ReplyDeleteI coldn;t help but think of "twiggy" seeing those models--talk about thin! Whoa. Glad that isn't as much the picture of beauty as before.
ReplyDeleteThe 60s. That was a time 41 years ago when I gave up a career that was secure for one of leisure as a teacher. Had the summers off. Wow. I remember most of the stuff in those days but I wouldn't want to go back through it. I enjoyed the post. It took the wind out of my sails for a while just pausing in the dead air to reflect on where all I have been.
ReplyDeleteThis IS a fabulous movie!!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteYour new eye-catching gingko header really popped out at me. I love that too.
(It's hard to believe that the David Hemmings of Antonioni's film is the same man whose last role was in "Gladiator".)
What a blast from the past.
ReplyDeleteMakes me a little wistful for my lost youth.
I saw Vanessa Redgrave as Rosalind in As You Like IT in 1962......at Stratford.
My first Shakespeare play. WOW!
you can thank your lucky stars you work for me...probably not what i would be thinking. lol.
ReplyDeleteKat, Oliver Reed's last role was also in "Gladiator", in fact, I think he died before filming was actually completed.
ReplyDeleteAwesome movie! First time I saw it was without sound because we sat on a hill overlooking the drive in theater.
ReplyDeleteoh, goodness, i've been away far too long over here! have missed a couple of wonderful posts, lady, but played catch-up tonight! just fabulous, all of them!!! especially loved the cemetery visit! great great post!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember that film--man, I'm struck by how much Natasha resembled her here...
ReplyDeleteI forgot all about the Yardbirds being in this one--talk about mod!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful new header and love the photo of the leaves on the skylight. I loved the Eye of the Needle too. I'll put this one on the list.
ReplyDeleteLove the color in the new picture, fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this movie. I liked it.
much love
Never seen it but love the suggestion. The clip was really pretty groovy, man.
ReplyDeleteThat is one incredible photograph!
ReplyDeleteI have NOT seen this movie! Ya know what? One of the many things I enjoy about blogging is watching a movie recommended by another blogger! I have seen ALL KINDS of movies I would NEVER have chosen and enjoyed MOST of them! ;)
I Netflixed Blow Up recently and loved it. So Fab!
ReplyDeletePS
I also Netflixed Zelary upon your rec. which was indeed awesome. Thanks.
Blow-Up wasn't really a main stream movie. The existential theme, the references to pop culture iconic actions of that moment, the newness of foreign film s all were indicators of new trends in movies and tastes of the intellectuals of that era.
ReplyDeleteI saw this a few years ago on DVD & found it rather hard going & somehow vaguely unsettling. I don't think it translated well to the small screen, I'd like to travel back in time & see it as a new release on the big screen. However, that would mean I'd be 10 again. On second thoughts, at 10 I remember being somewhat precocious & a pain for Mum & Dad to have around! Cancel the order for the Time Machine!
ReplyDeleteMillie ^_^
First thought was that was Jean Shrimpton instead of Vanessa Redgrave. She often does cameo appearances in Nip/Tuck alongside her daughter Joely. Alas dear Willow, methinks your memory is way better than mine.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen thi smovie for ages since I used to live in Cuba. Time to visit the lovefilms website to see if they have a copy of it. Many thanks for the review, it is a very good film.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
willow - how did this one slip through the cracks of my experiencing?! the whole mod thing in an arts context is a source of real fascination to me 'cause it was going on all around me even as i was a little boy and i had no idea until i started watching the films. nice one willow!!!! steven
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember this one from when it came out -- loved it! Hemmings was perfect.
ReplyDeleteSounds like and appears to be a film I want to see. Thanks for introducing me to it.
ReplyDeleteI saw it a life time ago and it is still seared in my memory banks.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wildly sexy movie for the time and perhaps the only movie I can recall where sex was presented as boring.
Yes! I do remember this as a very must see, film class sort of work.You mention the marvy Oliver Reed somewhere above... did you see him in The Devils? -J
ReplyDeleteHH, "The Devils"? No. I must check it out!! ...off to Google
ReplyDeleteWell Willow our Movie Reviewer. I have Zelary to watch today. I don't particularly like this movie. I just can't care for those sick looking stick figures that were models. Love the leave on the header. That was a great post about that tree.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Oh wow. I am putting this at the top of my netflix list asap! Julio Cortazar is one of my very favorite writers, and I do remember this film. I think of it as a stoner film, rather than mod, but that probably is more about my point of view than anything else.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Willow!
Reya, well, "mod masterpiece" sounds better than "stoner masterpiece", heehee!
ReplyDeleteMissed this one Willow, so thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteWonder if the inventor of Bump-Its saw this photoshoot recently!?
Saw Blow-Up in college. Definitely a great film.
ReplyDeleteBeen a long time since viewing this gem, I was in high school. I remember watching old Star Trek movies and thinking how funky the styles were...did we really dress and think like that...'fraid so...
ReplyDeleteStill love Redgrave!
This movie sounds interesting! Thank you for the well wishes!
ReplyDeleteI remember it as being less than swinging ...
ReplyDeleteHello Willow,
ReplyDeleteLove the new Gingko header and your post. Never quite managed to swing in the sixties!
Willow, Oh yes! I do recall that the two of them had some great scenes together too - two lions of men, really. Hemmings eyebrows were a sight to see! Three very fine actors from that film, all gone: Harris, Hemmings and Reed.
ReplyDeleteLoved it "in the day" -- perhaps it is time for a repeat performance. I had a giant B/W poster of David Hemmings in my dorm room. Thanks for a great post.
ReplyDelete~Michelle
Will do ...thank you, I love your film recommendations Willow, xv.
ReplyDeleteA great film Willow......I still consider myself a Mod and love these perfectly packaged films for those of who like to look back.
ReplyDeleteScooter Boys Rule.......sheesh what a rebel I am and 62 years on this earth tomorrow.
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ReplyDeleteI might appreciate the movie now just for all the stars and historic reference. I saw the movie when I was around 16 yrs old and thought it very very dull. I wonder what I would now think?
ReplyDeleteWho is in this photo? Vanessa? I thought perhaps it was Anouk Aimee.
Great movie, as you say, true arthouse flick.
ReplyDeleteSaw it years ago and now I'd like to see it again.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the suggestion. On a rainy day I will look for it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think you would feel better skipping Reed The Devils.
ReplyDeleteA mod'ish feast for the eyes?! I'll have to add it to the queue. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteMichangelo Antonelli's art direction shows well the mod mod world of the fashion photographer with a twist of Bond and Conan Doyle. Get a very good feel of place, setting. Very trippy. Our Internation Film course at the university (UWO) in the 70's (as I remember it now) did focus on the pastel fashion tights in (I believe) light purple and toned down hot pink. Not to mention the matching photographic gels of the sweet young Lolita or Lola things who invaded the photographer's world. A visually sensual feast. I much love these 60's mod English films. But a bit fluffy in context which is ok with me. Once Vanessa Redgrave enters we have an immediate focus and purpose just in her powerful presence. Makes me kinda want to redo London in the 60's; more of a travelogue really. about the plot? Sketchy. Or is it just me after watching it three times in the Middlesex College Auditorium after art classes? (get my drift?) A little bit like Eraserhead in some ways. Reminds me of another movie from swinging London of the 60's that had a man with a harley obsess about frogs. What were they smokin'? Lot of cut-aways and Twiggy-type models. A happenin' scene, but highly stylized and not campy or tacky. Vogue-ish. The loose structure and dream-like sequences are a trip not to be missed. Oh yeah.
ReplyDeleteChic, you're so right about Vanessa entering the movie with such a powerful presence. And yeah, the plot is a little weak, but it's okay; there's so much more to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI saw this movie so long ago I remember nothing! Will have to check it out soon...
ReplyDelete