Simon of the Desert (1965)

Simon, a deeply religious man living in the 4th century, wants to be nearer to God so he climbs a column. The Devil wants him to come down to Earth and is trying to seduce him.

Director:

Luis Buñuel

Writers:

Luis Buñuel (based on a story by), Luis Buñuel (screenplay and dialogue)

Stars:

Claudio Brook, Silvia Pinal, Enrique Álvarez Félix

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Claudio Brook	...	Simón
Enrique Álvarez Félix	...	Hermano Matías / Young monk
Hortensia Santoveña	...	Madre de Simón / The mother
Francisco Reiguera	...	Monje viejo / Old monk
Luis Aceves Castañeda	...	Hermano Trifón / Monk
Enrique García Álvarez	...	Hermano Zenón / Old monk
Antonio Bravo	...	Monje / Monk
Enrique del Castillo	...	El mutilado / The Mutilated One
Eduardo MacGregor	...	Hermano Daniel / Monk
Silvia Pinal	...	El diablo / The Devil

Storyline

The ascetic Simón believes he is a sinner and decides to self-inflict a sacrifice, living like a hermit on the top of a pedestal in the middle of the desert to be closer to God and resist the temptations of the world. His followers are peasants and travelers that believe that Simón is a saint capable of performing miracles and they crowd to hear his speeches. However, Satan tries to tempt him with the pleasures of the world.

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Plot Keywords:

temptation | dark humor | bare breasts | absurd humor | female nudity | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish Latin

Release Date:

9 February 1970 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Simon of the Desert

Filming Locations:

Samalayuca, Chihuahua, Mexico

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,843

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Producción Cinematográfica (STPC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's eponymous ascetic is based on the 5th-century Syrian saint Simeon Stylites. While this film takes obvious artistic license with the story, Simeon Stylites also famously perched on a pillar in the desert, reportedly for 37 consecutive years.

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Goofs

When the coffin is floating through the desert toward Simon's pillar, the wire pulling the coffin can be seen several times.

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Quotes

The Devil: Come down off that column. Taste earthly pleasures till you've had your fill. Till the very word pleasure fills you with nausea.

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Connections

Referenced in Inland Empire (2006)

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Soundtracks

Himnos de los Peregrinos
Written by Raúl Lavista

User Reviews

Short movie about an anchorite on a column by the master Luis Buñuel

This surrealist film is based on St. Simon Stylites who lived circa A.D. 400. He was a ragged ascetic (well played by a bearded Claudio Brook) who spent thirty-seven years atop a seventy-foot pillar preaching to Christian flocks and avoiding temptation . As he is tempted by the devil (a beauty Silvia Pinal) under various forms.

This rare movie is largely considered a Luis Buñuel's masterpiece. It's a comic parable about a tattered anchorite with some humor and hilarious criticism to Catholic Church. After returning his native country, Spain, by making 'Viridiana' but this film was prohibited on the grounds of blasphemy, then Buñuel with his screenwriter Julio Alejandro go back Mexico where realizes in low budget 'Simon of the desert' and produced by Gustavo Alatriste. Good and atmospheric cinematography by excellent Mexican cameraman Gabriel Figueroa. Religious music for a pilgrim hymn and of course 'the drums of Calanda', Luis Buñuel's location of birth . This movie won deservedly the Special Jury Prize at the 1965 Venice Film Festival. Nice strange story for Luis Buñuel aficionados, being hauled by some reviewers as one of the best short film - forty minutes- ever made. Rating : Above average, worthwhile watching.