Zabriskie Point (1970)
Michelangelo Antonioni's visually audacious portrait of American counterculture, desire, and disillusionment set against the vast Californian desert.
Zabriskie Point - Movie Information
- Original Title: Zabriskie Point
- Release Year: 1970
- Directed by: Michelangelo Antonioni
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 26, 1970 (Netherlands - 14), September 3, 1970 (Germany - 16), April 17, 1970 (France - TP), May 1, 1980 (Brazil), March 28, 1970 (Italy - 18+)
- Alternative Titles: Забриски Пойнт (SU), Забріскі Пойнт (UA), Sakyû (JP), Ζαμπρίσκι Πόιντ (GR), Dolina smrti (YU), 無限春光在險峰 (TW), Deserto de Almas (PT)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Carlo Ponti Production
- Production Countries: Italy, United States of America
Zabriskie Point - Plot
Anthropology student Daria, who's helping a property developer build a village in the Los Angeles desert, and dropout Mark, who's wanted by the authorities for allegedly killing a policeman during a student riot, accidentally encounter each other in Death Valley and soon begin an unrestrained romance.
Zabriskie Point - Trailer
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Zabriskie Point - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michelangelo Antonioni
Main Cast
- Mark Frechette
- Daria Halprin
- Paul Fix
- G.D. Spradlin
- Bill Garaway
- Kathleen Cleaver
- Rod Taylor
- Martin Abrahams
- Michael L. Davis
- Lee Duncan
Writers
- Michelangelo Antonioni
- Tonino Guerra
- Sam Shepard
- Franco Rossetti
- Clare Peploe
Producers
- Carlo Ponti
Zabriskie Point - FAQs
What is Zabriskie Point about?
Zabriskie Point follows two young Americans — a fugitive student radical and a free-spirited anthropology assistant — who meet by chance in Death Valley. Their brief, passionate encounter becomes a meditation on rebellion, consumerism, and the fractures running through late-1960s American society.
Who directed Zabriskie Point?
Zabriskie Point was directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, the celebrated Italian auteur behind L'Avventura and Blow-Up. It was his first film shot entirely in the United States, and he brought his signature contemplative visual style to the American counterculture landscape.
Who are the main actors in Zabriskie Point?
The film stars Mark Frechette as Mark, a student radical on the run, and Daria Halprin as Daria, an anthropology assistant navigating the corporate world. Rod Taylor also appears as a real estate developer. Notably, a young Harrison Ford has an uncredited role as an arrested student.
Did Harrison Ford appear in Zabriskie Point?
Yes — Harrison Ford makes an uncredited early appearance in Zabriskie Point as an arrested student. It's one of his very first film roles, years before Star Wars made him a household name. Blink and you'll miss him, but it's a fun piece of Hollywood trivia for fans.
What is the iconic ending of Zabriskie Point?
The film's climax features an extended, hypnotic slow-motion sequence of a luxury desert mansion exploding repeatedly from multiple angles, set to Pink Floyd's music. It's widely interpreted as a cathartic fantasy of destruction aimed at American consumer culture — one of cinema's most visually arresting and politically charged finales.
What music is featured in Zabriskie Point?
The soundtrack is remarkable — Pink Floyd contributed several pieces, including the haunting 'Come In Number 51, Your Time Is Up' for the explosive finale. Jerry Garcia also contributed music. The score perfectly amplifies the film's dreamlike, countercultural atmosphere and remains one of its most celebrated elements.
Where can I stream Zabriskie Point?
You can stream Zabriskie Point on HBO Max and HBO Max Amazon Channel. Availability may vary depending on your region, so it's worth checking your local listings for the most current options.
How was Zabriskie Point received by critics?
The film had a notoriously troubled reception on release, with many American critics dismissing it as a misreading of U.S. culture. Over time, however, it has been reassessed as a visually bold and politically provocative work — admired for its cinematography, its audacious finale, and Antonioni's outsider perspective on America.
More About Zabriskie Point
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