It is a testament to the enduring power of Michelangelo Antonioni’s films that they have stood the test of time and remained as relevant today as they were when he first began his career.

Best Michelangelo Antonioni Films

His films are often considered to be among the most innovative and influential in history.

1. Blow-Up (1966)

Blow-Up is a mesmerizing film that explores the blurred lines between reality and imagination. Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, this masterpiece tells the story of a fashion photographer named Thomas who becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind a mysterious photograph he took in a park.

With stunning cinematography that captures the essence of swinging 60s London, Blow-Up is a visual feast for the eyes.

The use of color, light, and shadow creates an eerie and dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly complements the film’s themes of perception and interpretation.

The performances are equally impressive, with David Hemmings delivering a captivating portrayal of Thomas, a man whose obsession with the photograph ultimately leads him down a dangerous path.

The supporting cast, including Vanessa Redgrave and Sarah Miles, also deliver excellent performances that add depth and complexity to the story.

What sets Blow-Up apart from other films of its time is its willingness to challenge the audience’s expectations and assumptions.

The film’s ambiguous ending leaves viewers questioning what they’ve just witnessed, inviting them to draw their own conclusions and interpretations.

Blowup
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles, David Hemmings (Actors)
  • Michelangelo Antonioni (Director) - Michelangelo Antonioni (Writer) - Carlo Ponti (Producer)
  • English (Playback Language)
  • English (Subtitle)

2. The Passenger (1975)

The Passenger is a masterful exploration of identity, morality, and the consequences of one’s actions.

Jack Nicholson delivers a standout performance as David Locke, a burnt-out journalist who decides to trade in his identity for a deceased businessman’s.

The film’s stunning cinematography captures the vast, desolate landscapes of Africa and Europe, serving as a haunting metaphor for Locke’s internal struggle.

Director Michelangelo Antonioni’s deliberate pacing and enigmatic storytelling keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, wondering where Locke’s journey will ultimately lead him.

The film’s ending is a haunting, thought-provoking conclusion that leaves a lasting impact. The Passenger is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates stunning visuals, complex characters, and philosophical themes.

   

The Passenger (1975)
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Jenny Runacre (Actors)
  • Michelangelo Antonioni (Director) - Michelangelo Antonioni (Writer) - Carlo Ponti (Producer)
  • English (Playback Language)
  • English (Subtitle)

3. Red Desert (1964)      

Red Desert is a visually stunning film that captures the essence of existentialism and the human condition through its imagery.

Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, this Italian film follows the story of Giuliana (played by Monica Vitti), a woman struggling to find her place in a post-industrial world.

The cinematography in this film is breathtaking, with every shot carefully composed to convey the bleakness and isolation of the industrial landscape.

The use of color is particularly striking, with vivid primary colors contrasting sharply against the polluted, desolate backdrop of the film.

Vitti’s performance as Giuliana is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the character’s inner turmoil and fragility with delicate nuance.

If you like Michelangelo Antonioni’s work, on our sister site AuteurGraph we have a profile page, a visual film timeline, and a ratings page that gives a tonne of info and data about their career in a visualized form.

Her interactions with the other characters in the film, particularly her husband Ugo (played by Carlo Chionetti) and the enigmatic engineer Corrado (played by Richard Harris), are fraught with tension and unspoken desires.

While the film may be slow-paced and introspective, it is an important piece of cinema that explores the human condition in a way that is both thought-provoking and visually stunning.

Red Desert is a must-watch for fans of Antonioni’s work and anyone interested in the art of film.

   

The Red Desert (1964) ( Il Deserto rosso ) ( Le Désert rouge ) (Blu-Ray & DVD Combo) [ NON-USA FORMAT, Blu-Ray, Reg.B Import - United Kingdom ]
  • The Red Desert (1964) ( Il Deserto rosso ) ( Le Désert rouge ) (Blu-Ray & DVD Combo)
  • The Red Desert (1964)
  • Il Deserto rosso
  • Le Désert rouge
  • Richard Harris, Monica Vitti, Carlo Chionetti (Actors)

4. L’Avventura (1960)    

L’Avventura is a stunning masterpiece from the legendary Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni.

The film follows a group of wealthy Italian socialites who embark on a yachting trip to a small island in the Mediterranean.

When one of the group, a young woman named Anna, mysteriously disappears, the search for her becomes a catalyst for a series of emotional and existential crises.

Shot in gorgeous black and white, the film is a visual feast, with Antonioni’s precise and calculated compositions perfectly capturing the ennui and malaise of the characters.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with Monica Vitti delivering a standout turn as the conflicted Claudia.

At its core, L’Avventura is an exploration of the human condition, of the search for meaning and connection in a world that often feels chaotic and meaningless.

Antonioni’s pacing is deliberately slow, allowing the characters and their emotions to simmer and build to a devastating climax.

The film was controversial upon its release, with many critics and audiences finding it frustratingly enigmatic and slow.

But over time, L’Avventura has become recognized as a landmark of European cinema, with its themes of alienation and existential angst resonating with audiences across generations.

L'Avventura (English Subtitled)
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Gabriele Ferzetti, Monica Vitti, Lea Massari (Actors)
  • Michelangelo Antonioni (Director) - Michelangelo Antonioni (Writer) - Amato Pennasilico (Producer)
  • (Playback Language)
  • Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)

5. Il Grido (1957)

Il Grido is a haunting and beautifully shot film that explores the human condition in a way that is both tragic and mesmerizing.

The film, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, follows the story of Aldo, a man who is struggling to come to terms with the end of a long-term relationship.

As he travels through the Italian countryside, searching for a new purpose in life, he encounters a series of characters who offer him glimpses of hope, but ultimately fail to provide him with the answers he seeks.

Antonioni’s direction is masterful, with every shot carefully crafted to convey the emotional turmoil that Aldo is experiencing.

   

The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in Aldo’s world and feel his pain as if it were their own.

The performances are also outstanding, with Steve Cochran delivering a powerful and nuanced portrayal of Aldo.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, bringing depth and complexity to their respective roles.

Il Grido
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Steve Cochran, Dorian Gray, Allida Valli (Actors)
  • Michelangelo Antonioni (Director) - Michelangelo Antonioni (Writer) - Franco Cancellieri (Producer)
  • (Playback Language)
  • Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)

6. La Notte (1961)

La Notte is a hauntingly beautiful piece of cinema that explores the complexities of human relationships and the fleeting nature of love.

Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, this Italian film is a masterpiece in its own right, filled with stunning cinematography and exceptional performances.

The film follows the story of a married couple, Giovanni (Marcello Mastroianni) and Lidia (Jeanne Moreau), who are struggling to connect with each other as their marriage falls apart.

Their journey takes them through the streets of Milan, where they encounter various characters who are equally lost in their own worlds.

Antonioni’s direction is masterful, using the camera to create a sense of detachment and emptiness that perfectly captures the emotional state of the characters.

The cinematography is breathtaking, with each shot carefully composed to convey a specific mood or emotion.

Mastroianni and Moreau deliver phenomenal performances, perfectly conveying the pain and emptiness that comes with a failing relationship.

Their chemistry is electric, and their interactions are both heartbreaking and deeply moving.

 

L'Avventura (English Subtitled)
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Gabriele Ferzetti, Monica Vitti, Lea Massari (Actors)
  • Michelangelo Antonioni (Director) - Michelangelo Antonioni (Writer) - Amato Pennasilico (Producer)
  • (Playback Language)
  • Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)

7. L’Eclisse (1962)            

L’Eclisse is a stunning and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of love, relationships, and the human experience.

Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, this Italian classic is a masterpiece of modern cinema that showcases the director’s unique style and masterful storytelling.

The film follows the story of Vittoria (Monica Vitti), a young woman who is struggling to find meaning in her life and relationships.

She meets a stockbroker named Piero (Alain Delon), and the two embark on a passionate and tumultuous affair that is both intense and deeply flawed.

Antonioni’s use of stunning visuals and evocative imagery is simply breathtaking, with every shot carefully crafted to create a sense of unease and disorientation.

The film’s final sequence, set in a desolate and abandoned industrial landscape, is a haunting and unforgettable cinematic experience that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

One of L’Eclisse’s most striking features is its setting: Rome, Italy. It is set almost entirely at night, with only some brief daylight scenes near the beginning and end.

This allows Antonioni to create a mood of isolation and loneliness among his characters, which he does through their interactions with one another rather than through dialogue or narration.[2]

L'Eclisse (English Subtitled)
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Alain Delon, Monica Vitti, Francisco Rabal (Actors)
  • Michelangelo Antonioni (Director) - Michelangelo Antonioni (Writer) - Robert Hakim (Producer)
  • (Playback Language)
  • Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Characteristics of Michelangelo Antonioni Films

Michelangelo Antonioni’s films are characterised by a sense of alienation, a lack of closure and a sense of personal loss.

In his first three films, “Le notti del conte” (1955), “I vitelloni” (1961) and “Il deserto rosso” (1964), there is an exploration of the unconscious and its relation to the world around us.

   

The characters in these films seem to be caught between two worlds, unable to reconcile themselves with reality or their own inner selves.

Themes that recur throughout these films are those surrounding identity, sexuality and relationships between men and women.

In his later career as a director he was more concerned with showing how people were affected by their environment than by emotional trauma: “Il deserto rosso” (1966) has been described as being about the dehumanising effects of industrialisation on people; “Zabriskie Point” (1970) explores the nature of free love; while “L’avventura” (1960) deals with themes such as love, betrayal and death.

Best Michelangelo Antonioni Films – Wrapping Up

We’ve hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best Michelangelo Antonioni movies. What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

 

Ready to learn about some other Film Movements or Film History?