Blow-Up

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Blow-Up

Released Dec 18, 1966

1h 51m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Thomas (David Hemmings) is a London photographer who spends his time photographing fashion models. But one day he thinks he may have photographed something far more sinister: a murder. After taking pictures in the park, Thomas is horrified to find an ambiguous image lurking on the edge of the frame, which could be a shadow, but looks like a gun. The only thing clear is that the woman (Vanessa Redgrave) in the photo has appeared at his studio -- and wants the pictures he took.

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Critics Consensus

Exquisitely shot and simmering with unease, Michelangelo Antonio's Blow-Up is an enigma that invites audiences to luxuriate in the sensual atmosphere of 1960s London chic.

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Joe Morgenstern

Newsweek

Never before Blow-Up has Michelangelo Antonioni, the cinema’s bravest spelunker of the soul, come up from the depths with such a marvelous story and such gorgeous pictures of the cavernous emptiness inside modern man.

Aug 15, 2022

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Brendan Gill

New Yorker

Having launched a conventionally piquant little mystery story, Anonioni characteristically abandons it, and the picture slips into fantasy and closes with a pretentiously symbolic tennis match, played without rackets or ball.

Aug 15, 2022

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Richard Roud

Guardian

I always liked to think that even the worst film by Antonioni would be better than the best by almost any other director. Now I know that this is so, because I've just seen his worst film, and I was right: Blow-up is still an absolute must.

Mar 21, 2018

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Michael Calleri

Niagara Gazette

Italian New Wave director Michelangelo Antonioni was helping alter the European cinematic landscape with his bold features. One of Antonioni’s classics is the great “Blow-Up,” which is from 1966 and is one of my all-time favorite movies.

Sep 21, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Intoxicating in its ambiguity.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 10, 2022

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Robert Hatch

The Nation

Blow-Up is a work of wit and caustic intelligence, superbly disciplined, elegantly styled, visually astonishing and, for all that, turned out with the deceptive simplicity of perfect craftsmanship.

Nov 23, 2020

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Will G

Absolute classic. A window into 60's London, intelligent script and mind blowing cinematography, if you've a good print.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

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babarizam D

Movie is from an experimental era and highly influecned by the work of some French directors ( I can't remember the names at the moment) Slow pace,creepy photographer who will surely get arrested in our time. Taking someones picture without consent ....come on love. Anyhow I was unable to watch it after that scene.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/24

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Melissa L

I have no idea why this is rated so highly. Slow moving and trippy. Ending had no resolution. I don't recommend it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/25/24

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Steve D

Of its time and not effective.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

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Nawt W

It is an undeniable fact that individuals either enjoy or endure Antonioni's films, and at times, this endurance may eventually result in utter perplexity.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

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Tyler 2

The worst fucking movie I've seen what the fuck

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

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Michelangelo Antonioni

Director

David Hemmings

Thomas

Vanessa Redgrave

Jane

Sarah Miles

Patricia

Jane Birkin

The Blonde

Gillian Hills

The Brunette

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Synopsis

Thomas (David Hemmings) is a London photographer who spends his time photographing fashion models. But one day he thinks he may have photographed something far more sinister: a murder. After taking pictures in the park, Thomas is horrified to find an ambiguous image lurking on the edge of the frame, which could be a shadow, but looks like a gun. The only thing clear is that the woman (Vanessa Redgrave) in the photo has appeared at his studio -- and wants the pictures he took.

Director: Michelangelo Antonioni
Producer: Carlo Ponti
Screenwriter: Júlio Cortázar, Michelangelo Antonioni, Michelangelo Antonioni, Tonino Guerra, Edward Bond
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Bridge Films
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 1966, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2016
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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