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France released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: Spanish ( Mono ), English ( Subtitles ), French ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Documentary, Filmographies, Interactive Menu, SYNOPSIS: Criminal Life of Archibaldo De La Cruz
The film begins with Archibaldo (Ernesto Alonso) being triggered by a music box into a lengthy reminiscence of his childhood. It was an average, everyday incident, one that undoubtedly has occurred to us all: Archibaldo was caught dressing up in his mother's clothes by his governess, who was then instantly killed by a revolutionary's bullet before she could tell on him. The experience proved to be Archibaldo's 'first rush,' and he spends the rest of his life trying to re-create the sexual euphoria of that moment -- by murdering attractive women. Buñuel's characteristic perverse black humor then adds a twist, which prevents Archibaldo from fulfilling his desires. ...Criminal Life of Archibaldo De La Cruz / This Strange Passion ( Ensayo de un crimen ) ( This Strange Passion )
The film begins with Archibaldo (Ernesto Alonso) being triggered by a music box into a lengthy reminiscence of his childhood. It was an average, everyday incident, one that undoubtedly has occurred to us all: Archibaldo was caught dressing up in his mother's clothes by his governess, who was then instantly killed by a revolutionary's bullet before she could tell on him. The experience proved to be Archibaldo's 'first rush,' and he spends the rest of his life trying to re-create the sexual euphoria of that moment -- by murdering attractive women. Buñuel's characteristic perverse black humor then adds a twist, which prevents Archibaldo from fulfilling his desires. ...Criminal Life of Archibaldo De La Cruz / This Strange Passion ( Ensayo de un crimen ) ( This Strange Passion )
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:DVD
A dissection of a man who desires a woman but cannot consumate her. Bunuel takes to task the libido of the rich and the powerful grasping for more and more but unable to create any meaning. A subversive movie because the surrealists in their take of De Sade sided with the protagonist, here they have overturned that particular notion.
Black and White noir sumptuous in set, this displays the eccentricity of power verging and tottering into a nightmare through wife abuse. It is shot with verve and power. Not sure how it would hold a modern audience with its depiction of marriage but this is a psychological tour de force compared much of moderm depiction.
Well worth the investing of time for those who want to learn about jealousy and its effect. For those who want a quick fix then turn over quickly
Black and White noir sumptuous in set, this displays the eccentricity of power verging and tottering into a nightmare through wife abuse. It is shot with verve and power. Not sure how it would hold a modern audience with its depiction of marriage but this is a psychological tour de force compared much of moderm depiction.
Well worth the investing of time for those who want to learn about jealousy and its effect. For those who want a quick fix then turn over quickly
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
5 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Great - The Most Accessible Bunuel
5 Jan 2006
By Miguel Angel Martinez Rolland
- Published on Amazon.com
El (This Strange Passion) is maybe Luis Buñuel's best film -or rather, his most accessible film. Definitely, it is my favorite one.
A story about jealousy, it is electrifying since the very beginning. There are many unforgettable scenes, keeping the viewer thrilled about which cruelty will come next, and whether Delia Garces (terrific) will finally give up, die, or whatever... There are many twists in the script, surprises and subtleties that can be discovered watching the movie again. The 50s Mexican ambience is fascinating, and reading about the director's obsessions and surrealism will add a whole new dimension to a film that is nonetheless understandable by anyone. [Other great Bunuel's films, like The Golden Age or El Angel Exterminador, are more purely surrealistic and not for mainstream audiences.]
Archibaldo de la Cruz is another great film (also one of the best of Bunuel's Mexican era), and the idea of packing those two movies is excellent.
A story about jealousy, it is electrifying since the very beginning. There are many unforgettable scenes, keeping the viewer thrilled about which cruelty will come next, and whether Delia Garces (terrific) will finally give up, die, or whatever... There are many twists in the script, surprises and subtleties that can be discovered watching the movie again. The 50s Mexican ambience is fascinating, and reading about the director's obsessions and surrealism will add a whole new dimension to a film that is nonetheless understandable by anyone. [Other great Bunuel's films, like The Golden Age or El Angel Exterminador, are more purely surrealistic and not for mainstream audiences.]
Archibaldo de la Cruz is another great film (also one of the best of Bunuel's Mexican era), and the idea of packing those two movies is excellent.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Luis Buñuel: "A paranoiac, like a poet, is born, not made"
20 Sep 2007
By Galina
- Published on Amazon.com
I don't understand why some reviewers call "Criminal Life of Archibaldo De La Cruz" (1955) - "minor" Bunuel. The only "minor" about this (and many his films) is its running time, only 89 minutes but all his films are enigmatic, odd, charming, and always brilliant. I consider Bunuel one of the best and original filmmakers ever and nothing he had done is minor for me.
"Criminal Life of Archibaldo De La Cruz is B/W comedy of Don Luis' Mexican period which is surreal, disturbing, erotic and funny satire about a perverted young and wealthy man, an amateur sculptor. Since he was a boy, and one evening witnessed the sudden death of his young attractive governess and became sexually aroused by it, Archibaldo De La Cruz dreams of committing a perfect crime of an attractive woman to recreate the feeling but something always prevents him from fulfilling his dreams. It does not mean that the deaths would not occur -it is just that Archibaldo can't take a credit for them.
"El" (1953) aka "This Strange Passion" is more disturbing than funny portrait of an aristocrat, Arturo de Cordova, attractive, rich, religious middle-aged man who goes completely insane because of his pathological jealousy. What he decided to do to his young wife to punish her for the acts of infidelity that she had committed strictly in his mind, is very scary. Of course, it is Bunuel and the film has as much drama as his typical irony and dark humor but it is very dark. This is nothing light about obsessions - jealousy is an incurable and insatiable monster.
"Criminal Life of Archibaldo De La Cruz is B/W comedy of Don Luis' Mexican period which is surreal, disturbing, erotic and funny satire about a perverted young and wealthy man, an amateur sculptor. Since he was a boy, and one evening witnessed the sudden death of his young attractive governess and became sexually aroused by it, Archibaldo De La Cruz dreams of committing a perfect crime of an attractive woman to recreate the feeling but something always prevents him from fulfilling his dreams. It does not mean that the deaths would not occur -it is just that Archibaldo can't take a credit for them.
"El" (1953) aka "This Strange Passion" is more disturbing than funny portrait of an aristocrat, Arturo de Cordova, attractive, rich, religious middle-aged man who goes completely insane because of his pathological jealousy. What he decided to do to his young wife to punish her for the acts of infidelity that she had committed strictly in his mind, is very scary. Of course, it is Bunuel and the film has as much drama as his typical irony and dark humor but it is very dark. This is nothing light about obsessions - jealousy is an incurable and insatiable monster.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A devastating exploration of a serious ill-minded man!
5 Nov 2007
By Hiram Gomez Pardo
- Published on Amazon.com
"The criminal life of Archibaldo de la Cruz" is a fabulous and demolishing portrait of a perverted aristocrat who since he was a child believed firmly the possession of a music box, intermingled with a legend of a king, has conferred him if dark powers to kill just when he wishes it.
Bunuel explores with zealous realism every one of the branches of the society, political, religious and social conventions and arrangements, crumbling and excoriating them with implacable lucidity.
A powerful, brilliant and very original proposal, that would find -years later in Carlos Saura- a memorable tribute with Cria cuervos.
A must see and another powerful evidence of the genius of this Spanish master filmmaker.
Bunuel explores with zealous realism every one of the branches of the society, political, religious and social conventions and arrangements, crumbling and excoriating them with implacable lucidity.
A powerful, brilliant and very original proposal, that would find -years later in Carlos Saura- a memorable tribute with Cria cuervos.
A must see and another powerful evidence of the genius of this Spanish master filmmaker.
›
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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