Winner of the critics’ award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955, this film by Spanish director Juan Antonio Bardem (uncle of actor Javier) tells the story of a couple having an affair that accidentally hit a bicyclist and, fearing their relationship being exposed, flee the scene.

Soon their relationship and careers begin to suffer as they deal with increasing pressure and an art critic who may have witnessed the incident and may now be trying to blackmail them. It leads to a desperate and inevitable ending that still shocks.

It’s a film about guilt, consequence and selfishness, a scathing attack on the upper class in Franco’s Spain. It’s beautifully shot in black and white, with a newly restored high def transfer.

Grade: A-

Death of a Cyclist is currently available.