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Movies / On DVD / Simon of the Desert
Simon of the Desert

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Simon of the Desert (1965)

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Reviews Counted:13

Fresh:13

Rotten:0

Average Rating:8.3/10

Runtime: 46 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Synopsis: Luis Buñuel's biting jab at the futility of asceticism and repentence is a surreal fable in his inimitable style. Simon, a 5th-century ascetic, stands on a pillar in the middle of the desert for... Luis Buñuel's biting jab at the futility of asceticism and repentence is a surreal fable in his inimitable style. Simon, a 5th-century ascetic, stands on a pillar in the middle of the desert for three decades in a worthless quest to achieve enlightenment. Satan, in a variety of disguises, futilely tries to tempt him to descend from his post. And finally one of these embodiments -- an alluring blonde -- gets so disgusted and bored with his endless babbling that she forcibly and irreverently dumps him into a Manhattan discotheque. [More]

Starring: Claudio Brook, Silvia Pinal, Hortensia Santovena

Starring: Claudio Brook, Silvia Pinal, Hortensia Santovena

Director: Luis Buñuel

Director: Luis Buñuel
Screenwriter: Julio Alejandro, Luis Buñuel
Composer: Raul Lavista
Producer: Gustavo Alatriste

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Release:

Feb 10, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Simon of the Desert is Luis Bunuel's wicked and wild take on the life of devoted ascetic Saint Simeon Stylites, who waited atop a pillar surrounded by a barren landscape for six years, six months, and six days, in order to prove his devotion to God. Yet the devil, in the figure of the beautiful Silvia Pinal, huddles below, trying to tempt him down. A skeptic's vision of human conviction, Bunuel's short and sweet satire is one of the master filmmaker's most renowned works of surrealism.
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    Reviews for Simon of the Desert

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    1 - 15 (sorted by date)
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    Far from mocking his penitent protagonist, Buñuel values his tenacity of belief even while seeing his sacrifice as a useless monument

    Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
    09/25/09
    Fernando F. Croce
    Fernando F. Croce
    CinePassion

    Atheists make such good religious films (because) they tend to think about God all the time.

    Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
    07/29/09
    Christopher Long
    Christopher Long
    DVDTown.com

    This is one of my favorite Bunuels, simply because it gets right to the point; he doesn't have time to beat around the bush.

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    02/20/09
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid

    a perfect introduction for Buñuel neophytes to begin to find their way through the filmmaker's devious groove

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    02/13/09
    Chris Cabin
    Chris Cabin
    Filmcritic.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    04/18/08
    Beth Accomando
    Beth Accomando
    KPBS.org

    Luis Bunuel's Simon of the Desert is a short, but highly satisfying, surrealist parable about religious faith and morality, self-righteous intolerance, temptation, and corruption.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    08/31/06
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Though flawed because of the cuts, what's there is Buñuel at his wittiest having a good laugh at the church's expense.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    02/13/06
    Dennis Schwartz
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Derek Adams
    Derek Adams
    Time Out

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/14/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    Mr. Bunuel's powerful, funny, startling but inconclusive commentary on man's frailties.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    05/10/05
    A.H. Weiler
    A.H. Weiler
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Top-flight Bunuel

    comment Comment
    09/20/04
    Daniel Eagan
    Daniel Eagan
    Film Journal International

    Simon of the Desert’s little Bible stories are twisted evocations of the dumbing down of faith by postmodern Christian anxieties and hang-ups.

    Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
    09/03/04
    Ed Gonzalez
    Ed Gonzalez
    Slant Magazine
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    05/24/03
    Channel 4 Film

    Surrealist Luis Buñuel firmly digs his elbows into the side of organized religion

    Full Review Source: Old School Reviews | comment Comment
    11/02/02
    John A. Nesbit
    John A. Nesbit
    Old School Reviews

    Buñuel's wit is piercingly sharp, his timing impeccable, and his visual style superbly unobtrusive and naturalistic -- proving again how much realism is required in surrealism.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Dave Kehr
    Dave Kehr
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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