American writer Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY”, published in 1927, is considered one of the most important American novels of the 20th Century.

However, in recent years, this contemporary classic had become less widely-known than during Wilder’s lifetime.

Ironically, it took a tragic twist of fate in world events for world-wide reading audiences to become reacquainted with the novel. Following the 9/11 tragedy, British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke at the Memorial Service for the victims and quoted from "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" in his speech. The sentiment conveyed in Wilder’s moving quote reawakened interest in this book. The novel’s final stirring paragraphs cited by Mr. Blair comprise the final speech of the film.

The novel’s immediate relevancy coincided with financier interest in the film project.

PROJECT ORIGINS

It was director Mary McGuckian’s long-held hope to bring Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning story to the screen. The story was brought to her attention some ten years prior by renowned Irish playwright Brian Friel, who had forwarded the novel to McGuckian, suggesting that the strength of the poetical prose created a visual style that could be adapted to film. His daughter, the dramaturg Judy Friel, is credited as script editor.

On April 4th 2003, the production commenced principal photography in the Spanish capital of Madrid.