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

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 as an Old Witch: [running away naked] I'll be back, shaggy locks!

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Connections

Referenced in Life Itself (2014)

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Soundtracks

Himnos de los Peregrinos
Written by Raúl Lavista

User Reviews

One of the best Buñuel's films even if it's not complete

This film is maybe one of the best films that Buñuel ever made although not among the most popular. Why? Because the production was shot faster than fast and the money ran out so the film couldn't complete the screenplay and art direction is poor. Besides there is the cultural fact, you need some religious background (Catholic if possible) to understand the irony of the film and the references. Humour differs from drama mainly in it's strong connection with time and environment while the latter is more transcultural and timeless. Buñuel had a deep religious knowledge although he lacked faith. The reason why the rock scene is so is that Buñuel didn't like rock. Sometimes people prefer Buñuel's French films because they look more glamorous, the caracters are more sophisticated and wearing richer clothes. Anyway I think the core of his filmography are his 'hispanic' films and the first ones ('l'age d'or', 'le chien andalou', Él, Los Olvidados, Viridiana, Tristana,...).