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Viridiana (1961)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
19 March 1962 (USA)
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Plot:
Viridiana, a young nun about to take her final vows, pays a visit to her widowed uncle at the request of her Mother Superior. | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Nun
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Mother Superior
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Vow
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Cattle
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Drugged Coffee
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Awards:
1 win
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NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
The greatest movies ever made
(From Roger Ebert's Blog. 1 August 2009, 9:27 PM, PDT)
World Report: Spain (May 2009)
(From ioncinema. 28 May 2009)
(From Roger Ebert's Blog. 1 August 2009, 9:27 PM, PDT)
World Report: Spain (May 2009)
(From ioncinema. 28 May 2009)
User Comments:
we haven't gotten very far at all
more (38 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Silvia Pinal | ... | Viridiana | |
| Francisco Rabal | ... | Jorge | |
| Fernando Rey | ... | Don Jaime | |
| José Calvo | ... | Beggar (as Jose Calvo) | |
| Margarita Lozano | ... | Ramona | |
| José Manuel Martín | ... | Beggar | |
| Victoria Zinny | ... | Lucia | |
| Luis Heredia | ... | Beggar | |
| Joaquín Roa | ... | Beggar | |
| Lola Gaos | ... | Beggar | |
| María Isbert | ... | Beggar (as Maruja Isbert) | |
| Teresa Rabal | ... | Rita (as Teresita Rabal) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
90 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M |
France:Unrated |
Argentina:16 |
Chile:18 |
Finland:K-16 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The original ending of the film showed Viridiana knocking on her cousin's door, entering, and the door closing slowly behind her. This version was rejected by Spanish censors.
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Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Hallejujah Chorus
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (38 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Viridiana (1961)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot' | cvn1987 |
| blasphemy? | thesiouxfallskid |
| Interpretation of the movie ? (spoiler ofc) | BornFree-2 |
| need an opinion.. | tekia412 |
| Last Supper | irisrx |
| Should be in TOP250 | isket |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
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| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb Spain section |
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This film portrays the abysmal differences between people with different educations and senses of morality. At the same time, it is a commentary on the hopelessness of a society where no one understands why the status quo should be tampered with. No summary could really do this film justice since the visual impressions and symbols are just as important as the express message portrayed by the events.
But here goes: A novice is forced by circumstances to leave her convent and visit her uncle, falling under the influence of her world wise cousin. She tries to maintain her ideals by doing good works but is taken advantage of and despised by the very people she means to help.
Viridiana was the first film Buñuel filmed from exile and (so the story goes) the church was in an uproar and adamant that it be censored. Perhaps this is because none of the characters seem to give a fig about the teachings of the church except for the novice. Perhaps it is because one of the messages that seems clear is that the church is ineffectual in its efforts to improve the human condition. However, the depth of the story speaks more to the social condition in general -similar in all of Europe at the time- and the church was merely a part of that.
It is possible that a superficial viewing might interpret the characters to represent specific political factions from the era when the film was made but I believe that is an error. Even Franco, if we are to believe what we are told today, didn't personally see anything wrong with the film when he saw it and his order that all copies be destroyed was given in the interest of appeasing the church. People who appreciate quality film will be grateful that at least one copy survived the mass destruction by being sent to France.