Viridiana (DVD)

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Speaking of realism when discussing on the masters of cinema surrealism may seem odd, but "Viridiana" doesn´t feature the absurdist flourishes of other Buñuel masterpieces like "The Exterminating Angel" (1962) or "Diary of a Chambermaid" (1964). The film hews to a surprisingly logical (and chronological) path, and Buñuel takes the time to flesh out some multi-faceted characters. Don Jaime is not just a leering pervert, but a lonely old man who is still sympathetic even though his actions are repugnant. Likewise, the beggars aren´t used merely as a tool to give pious Viridiana her come-uppance, but are a more realistically depicted than if they were simply portrayed as helpless innocents. When given the chance to experience the good life they´ve never had, they take it. Some of them just scratch their hedonistic itch, others go way too far. There are rotten apples in every barrel.

As for Viridiana, she has a kind heart but learns (though I hesitate to use the word "learn" because Buñuel was not in the business of "teaching" his characters lessons in any simple-minded after-school special way) that she can´t save the world, at least not as simply as she thought she could. Perhaps that´s Buñuel´s primary criticism: the easy, clear-cut answers offered by the Church are neither easy nor clear-cut. Life is more complex than it seems from inside the four walls of a convent. That doesn´t make "Viridiana" an anti-religious film, so much as an anti-organized religion film, which sure as hell sounds like a sensible position to me. Besides, what do you expect from a director who once quipped, "Thank God I am an atheist!"

Video

The film is presented in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio. The black-and-white photography is sharp, but the transfer is not quite as clean as we´ve come to expect from Criterion. It´s still very good, but a ragged splice here, a bit of debris there and it´s not quite an upper echelon Criterion transfer.

Audio

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono. Optional English subtitles support the Spanish audio.

Extras

"Viridiana" is considered to be one of Buñuel´s defining works, so the relatively meager selection of extras is mildly disappointing. The lack of a commentary track is the most noticeable shortcoming.

In an August 2005 interview (13 min.), Cineaste editor Richard Porton places the film in the context of Buñuel´s career. He makes an interesting point when he notes that surrealism was always rooted in everyday life (it is, after all built "on realism"), which provides some food for thought when (re)considering some of Buñuel´s work.

In a January 2006 interview (14 min.), Sylvia Pinal discusses her work on "Viridiana" and other Buñuel films. Pinal has had a remarkable career not just as an actress, but as a television star and politician.

The disc also contains edited excerpts (37 min.) from an April 4, 1964 episode of the French television show "Cinéastes de notre temps" about Buñuel´s early career. In grand French style, there is a lot of fawning over the great auteur, but the program is still interesting and entertaining.

The insert booklet features an essay by author Michael Wood, and an extended interview with Buñuel, excerpted from the book "Objects of Desire: Conversations with Luis Buñuel."

Closing Thoughts

The Vatican has been protesting "anti-Catholic" films for years, and audiences keep on going to see them anyway. As far as "movies that pissed off the Pope" go, "Viridiana" is a masterpiece. Come to think of, it´s a masterpiece by just about any standard. I wouldn´t rate "Viridiana" among Buñuel´s very best work ("The Exterminating Angel," "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie," "Land without Bread") but that´s splitting hairs. "Viridiana" is essential viewing from an essential filmmaker.

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