INTRO:
Few film actresses have been able to convey sultry allure to as wide a range of audiences as Brigitte Bardot. Whether her role requires her to project experienced sexiness or innocent sass she always injects her performances with energy, wit, and empathy. Home Vision Entertainment, who normally distribute The Criterion Collection, are ushering in their new line, The Classic Collection, with two Bardot releases: Plucking the Daisy and The Night Heaven Fell. They are two completely different films that help to showcase Bardot's broad range and talents.

The innocent girl caught up with the wrong guy is a staple of hard-boiled detective movies and overheated romances alike. With Brigitte Bardot playing the gal in love, The Night Heaven Fell (1958) helps combine those genres into a sultry, often engaging, melodrama. Bardot plays Ursula, a young, inexperienced woman returning home to her uncle's Spanish estate amidst a cloud of social upheaval. While the film barely touches on what the political situation is in this remote mountain town, there is a strong sense that the aristocratic family on the hill is losing favor among the rustic locals. Ursula finds herself infatuated with Lamberto (Stephen Boyd), a strapping gent who tussles with her uncle, Count Ribera (Jose Nieto) moments after her arrival. Ribera proves to be a lecherous old man, trying to have his way with his niece before long. Things get more complicated when Ursula detects a deeper relationship between Lamberto and her aunt, Florentine (Alida Valli). The hot Spanish summer melts into murder, betrayal, and Ursula helps Lamberto escape. While on the lam the duo pick up a mule and a piglet. The unlikely foursome become a traveling fugitive sideshow, while Lamberto proves to be a coarse and difficult guy. The ending is inevitably tragic.

The Night Heaven Fell doesn't stray too much from the path of this sort of sexed up melodrama and the story doesn't add up to too much, but the uniformly excellent cast, convincingly rugged locations, sharp editing, and outstanding wide-screen cinematography help make the film very watchable. At only 93 minutes it doesn't attempt to tell more story than it can handle. In fact, the ending leaves you wishing you could have known a little bit more about these stoic, mysterious characters and that ain't a bad way to go out.

As with most of the films in her career, The Night Heaven Fell is primarily a vehicle for Brigitte Bardot. She never disappoints. Her character is underwritten but she adds sensuality and drive that makes her obsession with Lamberto feel very real. While the film doesn't completely add up, Bardot never lets it get boring.

VIDEO:
The color anamorphic widescreen video is wonderful. Spacious vistas and landscapes combine with moody nighttime scenes to create a diverse palette of imagery. Director Roger Vadim (Bardot's husband at the time) uses his locations and angles to create a dynamic, cinematic world. The print is nearly flawless, displaying a rare hint of damage here and there. The colors are bold and deep and the contrast is just right.

AUDIO:
The Dolby Digital 2.0 audio is also handled well. The atmosphere is subtle, with some moments completely silent. The score is effective and the French dialog is clear. Optional English subtitles are also included.

EXTRAS:
Trailers for Plucking the Daisy, The Night Heaven Fell, and ...And God Created Woman are included, as is a text Bardot filmography.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
While not a perfect film, The Night Heaven Fell has a few fine elements, an engaging story, and one major asset: Its star. Any film featuring Brigitte Bardot is worth a look and her terrific performance here is no exception.

Related review:
Plucking the Daisy