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The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Play trailer Poster for The Bridge of San Luis Rey PG 2004 2h 4m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
4% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 35% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
During the Spanish Inquisition, Franciscan monk Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) witnesses the collapse of a bridge in Lima, Peru, and wonders why God has chosen to let five people perish. At a tribunal led by the imperious archbishop of Peru (Robert De Niro), the monk gives evidence about the tragedy's victims, including a marquesa (Kathy Bates) rejected by her daughter (Émilie Dequenne) and the beautiful mistress (Pilar López de Ayala) of a local nobleman (F. Murray Abraham).
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The Bridge of San Luis Rey

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

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Critics Consensus

Despite an all-star cast and some impressive visuals, The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a lifeless, slow-going adaptation of Thornton Wilder's classic novel.

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Critics Reviews

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Stephen Garrett Time Out Feb 9, 2006
Why do good actors pop up in bad movies? More perplexingly, why do so many good actors end up in the same bad movie? Go to Full Review Peter Howell Toronto Star Jul 29, 2005
1.5/4
As a director, McGuckian is overwhelmed by the immensity of her cast, and her misguided attempt to make a Hollywood epic on a European production budget. Go to Full Review Liam Lacey Globe and Mail Jul 29, 2005
2.5/4
Best characterized as an honourable folly. Go to Full Review Brandon Fibbs BrandonFibbs.com Feb 28, 2008
2/10
The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a beautiful movie. The film's shooting locations are exquisite. The sets are stunning. The costumes are gorgeous. The actors are superlative. Too bad the movie sucks. Go to Full Review Walter Chaw Film Freak Central Dec 14, 2005
0.5/4
How to turn an embarrassment of riches into an embarrassment, period. Go to Full Review Dragan Antulov Draxblog Movie Reviews Nov 27, 2005
4/10
leaves audience with the same unanswered question as the one asked by its narrator Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Paul A @RT33568071 Oct 31, 2025 The Bridge at San Louis Rey takes as long to say as any of the one words used in the dialogue in the film. In order to comprehend what is being implied purchasing and reading thoroughly a vast collection of Thesaurus’s is advised before embarking on this movie. It is a movie littered with highly complex definitions of simple words. Definitions that can only be used and understood by the most advanced students of language. This is a film set in the 1700s. It will take you as long again to understand what each word means as the time that has passed since the year in question. I adore historical movies set in any era but it’s not a great ask to be able to understand what each character is saying. See more Alan P @RT09464623 Oct 19, 2024 Cannot begin to understand why this project evidently sank without a ripple! Magnificent film, extraordinary acting and mise en scene but the extremely complex storyline would make more sense after having first read the novel, which is easily found online, and of which it is totally faithful adaptation. I'd strongly recommend doing so. See more Ęxçëşș M @ExcessMale Mar 11, 2022 It's unfairly maligned and features a dedicated cast that is unshakable. A guilty pleasure for those of us who enjoy well-costumed European period dramas. See more Feb 23, 2021 I have no idea why the critics have panned this movie. The actors are great. The screenplay inventive. The costumes, the music are terrific. Production values are high. I enjoyed it, having just re-read the novel. See more Nov 17, 2020 Starry cast but strangely lacking energy; the plot of the novel doesn't help See more Jul 28, 2017 El primer y tercer acto son grandiosos, pero el segundo, o sea el desarrollo de la historia, es tan aburrido que ya entiendo porque a nadie le gustó esta película. Algunas obras literarias son muy difíciles de adaptar. See more Read all reviews
The Bridge of San Luis Rey

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Cast & Crew

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Mary McGuckian

Director

Robert De Niro

The Archbishop

F. Murray Abraham

Virrey de Perú

Kathy Bates

The Marquesa

Gabriel Byrne

Brother Juniper

Geraldine Chaplin

Abadesa

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The Bridge of San Luis Rey

F. Murray Abraham as The Viceroy of Peruin in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey." Emilie Dequuenne as Dona Clara in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey." Kathy Bates as Dona Maria in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the Spanish Inquisition, Franciscan monk Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) witnesses the collapse of a bridge in Lima, Peru, and wonders why God has chosen to let five people perish. At a tribunal led by the imperious archbishop of Peru (Robert De Niro), the monk gives evidence about the tragedy's victims, including a marquesa (Kathy Bates) rejected by her daughter (Émilie Dequenne) and the beautiful mistress (Pilar López de Ayala) of a local nobleman (F. Murray Abraham).
Director
Mary McGuckian
Screenwriter
Mary McGuckian, Thornton Wilder
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Rating
PG (Thematic Elements|Some Disturbing Images|Sensuality)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 22, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 10, 2005
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$42.9K
Runtime
2h 4m
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