Viridiana

Released Jan 11, 1962

1h 30m

Drama

List

97%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

90%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

Viridinia (Silvia Pinal) is preparing to start her life as a nun when she is sent, somewhat unwillingly, to visit to her aging uncle, Don Jaime (Fernando Rey). He supports her; but the two have met only once. Jaime thinks Viridinia resembles his dead wife. Virdinia has secretly despised this man all her life and finds her worst fears proven when Jaime grows determined to seduce his pure niece. Viridinia becomes undone as her uncle upends the plans she had made to join the convent.

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Critics Consensus

Viridiana is quintessential Bunuel: a masterpiece against the grain, designed to shock and awe.

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J. Hoberman

The New York Review of Books

Made in Franco's Spain, Luis Buñuel's blasphemous comedy Viridiana (1961) poked a finger in the dictator's eye...

Aug 14, 2020

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

One of the cinema's inalienable masterpieces.

May 14, 2020

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Margaret Hinxman

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Bitterly humourous.

May 14, 2020

Full Review

Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

Luis Bunuel's Viridiana, he scorching anti-clerical masterpiece that won the Golden Palm at Cannes last year, must be one of the most impudent gestures in the whole history of the cinema.

Jan 22, 2024

Full Review

Paul Kanieski

KSQD Community Radio

The un-PC gender politics might seem dated, its irreverent view of religion trite, and some will rankle at its depiction of the poor and destitute. But even though Viridiana is a product of its time, it’s a great film that sill has much to offer.

Jul 22, 2023

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Cruel, grotesque, blasphemous, and bemused, Viridiana is still rather shocking.

Jul 6, 2023

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Alec B

While Buñuel's intent is to tear down the hypocrisies of piety, he actually allows his central character to have a real transformation rather than simply attack her beliefs, which makes the satire all the more effective.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

dave s

Luis Bunuel's Viridiana is a story told in two parts. Viridiana (Silvia Pinal), a young nun, reluctantly visits her estranged uncle, only to find that he considers her a replacement for his long-dead wife. After his suicide, she reevaluates her life and dedicates her time to helping the downtrodden, inviting a group of the poor to share her living space in the uncle's mansion. While Bunuel's trademark surrealism is missing, it still hits the mark in other ways. Subversive? Probably. Blasphemous? Yeah, depending on your perspective. But, most importantly, it is fantastic, one of Bunuel's most accessible and impactful films, thanks mostly to Bunuel's scathing script and creative direction (pans suddenly turn into tracking shots, etc.), some beautiful cinematography and lighting, and a great performance from Pinal. It's hard to find fault with Viridiana – it is that good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It starts as a good movie, and this cynical vision of innocence and trust is really well put, but at one point you start to realize things, like how the story never gets engaging, how you never formed a bond or cared too much about any character (not even the protagonist), how you never see characters grow or develop relationships with each other, and the worst of all, how in the end, as much as it is a comedy, you barely laughed once or twice.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Liked this one. Creepy uncle spiking his niece's drink and sexually assaulting her, then some homeless people wrecking a house before trying to rape her and then the happy ending as part of a polyamorous triumvirate. It's a hoot. Actually very risky and cutting edge film making. Great plot, well acted. Worthy of its reputation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

William L

If you're going out, don't forget your crucifix-knife! A scathing critique of human nature and the pretensions associated with organized religion, Buñuel was clearly out for blood with Viridiana, aiming to antagonize a social establishment in historically Catholic Spain. In the film, there are no heroes and no true idealists, only the practical acting on their own very objective desires, often using whatever means are at their disposal. Very bleak in its assessment of humanity and the role of virtue and generosity; considered vital to the maintenance of righteousness in the Christian faith, the director here presents them as wholly impractical, and often a facade for more base ambitions. In an increasingly secular world, it's easy to see Viridiana maintaining its status as one of the most substantial masterpieces of both Spanish film and of Buñuel. (4.5/5)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/26/20

Full Review

Audience Member

gonna blow your brain

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Luis Buñuel

Director

Silvia Pinal

Viridiana

Francisco Rabal

Jorge

Fernando Rey

Don Jaime

Margarita Lozano

Ramona

Victoria Zinny

Lucia

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Synopsis

Viridinia (Silvia Pinal) is preparing to start her life as a nun when she is sent, somewhat unwillingly, to visit to her aging uncle, Don Jaime (Fernando Rey). He supports her; but the two have met only once. Jaime thinks Viridinia resembles his dead wife. Virdinia has secretly despised this man all her life and finds her worst fears proven when Jaime grows determined to seduce his pure niece. Viridinia becomes undone as her uncle upends the plans she had made to join the convent.

Director: Luis Buñuel
Producer: Ricardo Muñoz Suay, Pere Portabella
Screenwriter: Julio Alejandro, Luis Buñuel, Benito Pérez Galdós
Distributor: Kingsley-International Pictures Inc.
Production Co: Unión Industrial Cinematográfica (UNINCI)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Spanish (Spain)
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 27, 2017
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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