Red Desert (1964): cast, story & where to watch
1964 · Film · ★ 7.5
Released in 1964, Red Desert is a drama film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, running about 117 minutes. “This is the story of a woman… Her hidden thirsts and hungers… Told by the world-famous director Michelangelo Antonioni in his first color film.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Amid the modern wastelands and toxic factories of Italy, wife and mother Giuliana desperately tries to conceal her tenuous grip on reality from those around her, especially her successful yet neglectful husband, Ugo. Ugo's old pal, Corrado, shows up in town on a business trip and is more sensitive to Giuliana's anxieties. They begin an affair, but it does little to quell Giuliana's existential fears, and her mental state rapidly deteriorates.
Who’s in it. Red Desert stars Monica Vitti as Giuliana, Richard Harris as Corrado Zeller, Carlo Chionetti as Ugo and Xenia Valderi as Linda, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, Red Desert has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and HBO Max. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Red Desert page.
If you liked it. Fans of Red Desert tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Red Desert (1964)?
- In US, Red Desert is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Red Desert worth watching?
- Red Desert holds an audience score of 7.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Red Desert?
- Red Desert stars Monica Vitti, Richard Harris, Carlo Chionetti, Xenia Valderi and Rita Renoir.
- When was Red Desert released?
- Red Desert was released in 1964, with a runtime of about 117 minutes.