Based on Thornton Wilder’s novel.
Judith Anderson, Theodore Bikel, Hume Cronyn, Rita Gam, Viveca Lindfors and Kurt Kaznar star in the Robert Mulligan 1958 classic about a friar tried by the Inquisition for questioning God’s intentions when five die in the collapse of an Andean bridge.
“A bold approach, extraordinary craftsmanship, quality, taste and competence.” – Jack Gould, NY Times.
In early 18th century Peru (1714), an old Inca rope bridge over a gorge in the Andes, collapses, plunging five travelers to their deaths. Brother Juniper, who was within minutes of being on the bridge himself, becomes obsessed with discovering how five people of differing class and circumstances came to be on the bridge at that moment. The Catholic friar wants to know if it was mere existential happenstance or part of God’s cosmic plan.
After researching the lives of the victims for five years and publishing his findings in a book, he is accused of heresy by the worldly Archbishop of Lima and put on trial for his life by the Inquisition.
Originally aired as part of Dupont Show Of the Month.
This was Thornton Wilder’s second novel which won a Pulitzer Prize.
Judith Anderson received an Emmy nomination.
1958 / 90 minutes / Black & White / A film by Robert Mulligan
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