Viridiana
(1961)Director: Luis Buñuel
Cast:
| Silvia Pinal | ........................ | Viridiana |
| Francisco Rabal | ........................ | Jorge |
| Fernando Rey | ........................ | Don Jaime |
| Jose Calvo | ........................ | Beggar |
| Margarita Lozano | ........................ | Ramona |
| José Manuel Martín | ........................ | Beggar |
| Victoria Zinny | ........................ | Lucia |
| Luis Heredia | ........................ | Beggar |
| Joaquín Roa | ........................ | Beggar |
| Lola Gaos | ........................ | Beggar |
| María Isbert | ........................ | Beggar |
| (credited as Maruja Isbert) | ||
| Teresa Rabal | ........................ | Rita |
| (credited as Tersita Rabal) | ||
Synopsis: Viridiana (Silvia Pinal) is a novice who is on the verge of taking her final vows. Her Mother Superior gives her leave to visit her wealthy uncle, Don Jaime (Fernando Rey).
Jaime is taken by Viridiana's resemblence to his wife who died thirty years ago on their wedding night. A sympathetic Viridiana even goes so far as to wear his wife's wedding gown for him.
Consumed by his deep desire for his niece, Don Jaime drugs Viridiana and tries to rape her. His actions fill him with such remorse that he commits suicide, leaving his entire estate to Viridiana.
Winner of the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Film, Viridiana was banned in its native Spain and condemned by the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures.
Review by Michael Jacobson: Buñuel seemed to view religion, and Catholicism in particular, as ineffectual, corrupt and hypocritical. Belief was something to be either mocked or scorned, and in the case of the sweet, naive Viridiana, something to be punished as well. Read More....
Review: Viridiana is a rich, complex web of imagery and metaphor. It's a beautiful film with a daring message. In some instances, the message is cloaked in metaphor. Then he delivers the message gain, less subtly, then again in a manner so blatant it is bound to shock you. Read More....
Review by Ben Larson: Viridiana is a disappointment. Luis Buñuel directed some great films, but Viridiana really does not stand the test of time. Read More....
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Runtime: 90 mins.
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