Fashion photographer Thomas (David Hemmings) is tired-tired of swinging London fashion, of artifice, of British birds and models, and nearly tired of just looking. Escaping from his studio, he surreptitiously shoots two lovers in a quiet London park. An angry assault by Vanessa Redgrave to retrieve the photos results in a pas de deux of seduction. His curiosity piqued, Thomas obsessively manipulates the park snaps to discover he has unknowingly photographed, and witnessed, a crime. One of Antonioni's most beautiful films, Blow-Up examines focus and perception, manipulation and reality. The soundtrack is remarkable for its silences (the concentrated quiet of the park sequence is just wonderful) and an evocative score by Herbie Hancock as well as an appearance by the legendary Yardbirds. Almost naive in retrospect, Blow-Up is nonetheless a fresh reminder of the accepted veracity of photographs and visceral perception before the "Digital Revolution" in life and art.-Sally Syberg