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Blow-Up

Play trailer Poster for Blow-Up 1966 1h 51m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Blow-Up

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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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Critics Reviews

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Joe Morgenstern Newsweek Aug 15, 2022
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. Go to Full Review Brendan Gill The New Yorker Aug 15, 2022
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. Go to Full Review Richard Roud Guardian Mar 21, 2018
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. Go to Full Review Michael Calleri Niagara Gazette Sep 21, 2022
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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 10, 2022
3.5/4
Intoxicating in its ambiguity. Go to Full Review Robert Hatch The Nation Nov 23, 2020
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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nick S @Nick_S Jun 16, 2026 This movie has a good vibe and is spellbinding throughout. It does miss a plot and denouement though, so storytelling wasn't the focus. Also very slow. I think the modern audience will be uncomfortable with the treatment of women, all of whom seemed to be subservient to men & really just vacant sex objects. See more Maarit L @Komedienne May 27, 2026 The film is cinematically skillful and impressive, but the way women are objectified and portrayed as stupid is disgusting. Fellini treats women with much more respect. See more T B @RT29733144 Feb 17, 2026 This movie is entertaining with fashion but it drags in a lot of places. The best part was seeing the Yardbirds with Jimmy Page toward the end. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Feb 10, 2026 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Lones S @lones Dec 30, 2025 How can a movie that really does not initiate its plot until after 40 minutes possibly be a good idea. To say the plot is slow is an understatement. Give it a pass for a movie that knows how to tell a story. See more Mickey B. @Mickerdoo Dec 25, 2025 Loved the 60s fashion and his flat. Probably should have made a phone call earlier. What’s with the mimes? Needs more detective vibes. See more Read all reviews
Blow-Up

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Cast & Crew

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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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Blow-Up

Poster Art Blow-Up (1966) Blow-Up (1966) View more photos

Movie Info

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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