In this intense adaptation of the classic Albert Camus novel, Arthur Meursault is a bored clerical worker in 1930s Algeria who is completely isolated from his surroundings. His alienation leads to sudden, mystifying attacks of violence, and eventually culminates in his arbitrary shooting of a man on a beach. In the ensuing trial, the full extent of Meursault’s existential crisis becomes alarmingly clear to judge, jury and prosecutor.
Director: Luchino Visconti.
Stars: Marcello Mastroianni, Anna Karina, Bernard Blier, Alfred Adam, Pierre Bertin, Angela Luce, Jacques Herlin, Mimmo Palmara, Jean-Pierre Zola, Joseph Marechal, Jacques Monod, Mohamed Cheritel, Vittorio Duse, Brahim Hadjadj.
1967 Venice Film Festival – Nominated for the Golden Lion.
1968 Golden Globes – Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.
This is not a bad adaptation at all. It certainly does not contain Visconti’s signature extravagances (which I have no problem with BTW, when they are used for his more operatic productions) Someone needs to fully restore this along with his SANDRA, VAGHE STELLA DELL’ ORSA… (1966) another curiosity of his film oeuvre.