The Phantom of Liberty (1974)

A series of surreal sequences that critique morality and society in a stream of consciousness style.

Director:

Luis Buñuel (as Luis Bunuel)

Writers:

Luis Buñuel (scenario) (as Luis Bunuel), Jean-Claude Carrière

Stars:

Jean-Claude Brialy, Adolfo Celi, Michel Piccoli

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adriana Asti	...	La dame en noir et la soeur du premier préfet / Prefect's Sister
Julien Bertheau	...	Le premier préfet de police / First Prefect
Jean-Claude Brialy	...	Foucauld / Mr. Foucauld
Adolfo Celi	...	Le docteur de Legendre / Doctor Pasolini
Paul Frankeur	...	L'aubergiste / Innkeeper
Michael Lonsdale	...	Le chapelier / Hatter
Pierre Maguelon	...	Gérard, le gendarme / Policeman
François Maistre	...	Le professeur des gendarmes / Professor
Hélène Perdrière	...	La vieille tante / Aunt
Michel Piccoli	...	Le second préfet de police / Second Prefect
Claude Piéplu	...	Le commissaire de police / Commissioner
Jean Rochefort	...	Legendre / Mr. Legendre
Bernard Verley	...	Le capitaine des dragons / Judge
Milena Vukotic	...	L'infirmière / Nurse (as Miléna Vukotic)
Monica Vitti	...	Mme Foucaud / Mrs. Foucauld

Storyline

This surrealist film consists of a series of only vaguely related episodes, most famously the dinner party scene in which people sit on lavatories round a dinner table, occasionally retiring to a small room to eat.

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Plot Keywords:

female pantyhosed crotch | female stockinged legs | taupe pantyhose | pantyhose | fishnet stockings | 

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Taglines:

Luis Bunuel's kinkiest comedy.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

27 October 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Phantom of Liberty

Filming Locations:

Studios de Boulogne, Avenue Jean-Baptiste Clément, Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,172, 8 November 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$6,172, 10 November 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Greenwich Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In British broadcasts the "Serial Killer as Celebrity" segment is often cut out.

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Goofs

At the beginning of the movie after shooting the prisoners you can see one of the victims moving the hand although he's dead.

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Quotes

Sophie: Mommy, I'm very hungry!
L'hôtesse à la réception mondaine: Sophie, it's impolite to use those words at the table!

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Connections

Edited into The Clock (2010)

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Soundtracks

Carnaval, opus 9, movement number 12 - Chopin
Written by Robert Schumann
Played on the piano by the sister of the police commissioner

User Reviews

A Delicious Surrealistic Satire to the Moral and Costumes of the Society, to the Family and to the Church

Through many episodes with some linking points since 1808 in Toledo (Spain) to the present days in France, Bunuel presents a delicious surrealistic satire to the moral and costumes of the hypocrite society, to the family values and to the church. I liked very much some parts, like, for example, the hypocrisy of the priests in a hotel, praying for the health of the father of a guest in a moment, and drinking and playing cards like gangsters in the next moment. The bourgeoisie family sat on toilets in the dining room and producing crap while having a conversation is fantastic, reflecting his opinion about the dominating class. The little girl that "vanished" for her parents is a great critics to the behavior of most families. The hypocrisy of the justice, reflected in the segment of the sniper. It is amazing the interpretations each segment offers to the viewer through the symbolism of Bunuel. However, this movie is recommend for very specific audiences. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Fantasma da Liberdade" ("The Phantom of the Liberty")