The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Synopsis
This first cinematic version of the classic book is a part-talkie, although the only surviving print is silent (housed in the George Eastman House, Rochester, NY). It is a straight-forward telling of the intermingled lives of a group of strangers doomed to die in a collapsing bridge accident. The Art Direction, paltry and unremarkable, surprisingly won an Oscar over the far more remarkable work nominated in THE IRON MASK. The special effect scene of the lovers plummeting with the bridge into the chasm is unforgettable and remarkably done.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Release History & Theatrical Window
March 30, 1929
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Charles Brabin
- Screenplay & Story
- Ruth Cummings, Alice D.G. Miller, Thornton Wilder, Marian Ainslee
- Original Title
- The Bridge of San Luis Rey
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 27m
- Production Studios
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Charles Brabin
Ruth Cummings, Alice D.G. Miller, Thornton Wilder, Marian Ainslee
Merritt B. Gerstad
Margaret Booth
Hunt Stromberg
Department Leadership Roster
Charles Brabin
Director
Ruth Cummings
Writer
Alice D.G. Miller
Writer
Marian Ainslee
Writer
Margaret Booth
Editor
Hunt Stromberg
Producer
Adrian
Costume Design
Merritt B. Gerstad
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
Academy Awards: Winners
Oscar Best Art Direction/Production Design Nominees
Complete list of Oscar Best Art Direction/Production Design Nominees
Oscars 1930
Nominees and selected films for the 2nd Academy Awards (ceremony year 1930).
Seasonal: Oscar Season Picks
Auto-managed by seasonal classifier. Do not edit manually.
Seasonal: Oscar Season Picks
Auto-managed by seasonal classifier. Do not edit manually.
Seasonal: Oscar Season Picks
Auto-managed by seasonal classifier. Do not edit manually.
Similar Titles to The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
7.1
7.3
7.1
7.7
7.8
6.8
2.0
6.5
7.0
7.3
7.4
6.0
6.5
8.0
7.4
7.5
6.5
7.7
5.6
6.3
More Like The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Bridge of San Luis Rey about?
This first cinematic version of the classic book is a part-talkie, although the only surviving print is silent (housed in the George Eastman House, Rochester, NY). It is a straight-forward telling of the intermingled lives of a group of strangers doomed to die in a collapsing bridge accident. The Art Direction, paltry and unremarkable, surprisingly won an Oscar over the far more remarkable work nominated in THE IRON MASK. The special effect scene of the lovers plummeting with the bridge into the chasm is unforgettable and remarkably done.
Who directed The Bridge of San Luis Rey?
The Bridge of San Luis Rey was directed by Charles Brabin.
Who stars in The Bridge of San Luis Rey?
The principal cast of The Bridge of San Luis Rey includes Lili Damita, Ernest Torrence, Raquel Torres, Don Alvarado, Duncan Renaldo.
When was The Bridge of San Luis Rey released and how long is it?
The Bridge of San Luis Rey was released in 1929 with a total runtime of 1h 27m.
Is The Bridge of San Luis Rey based on a book or true story?
The Bridge of San Luis Rey is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Thornton Wilder".