Luis Buñuel's infamous 1972 surreal satire on the mores (or lack thereof) of the privileged classes gets Criterion's loving treatment in this 2-disc "special edition" marking the 100th anniversary of the Spanish director's birth. Once again the studio has done a flawless mastering job, though Criterion seems to have had less success with the "new and improved" English subtitles, which sport several grammatical and spelling errors. Admittedly important for its place in film history, and enhanced by the inclusion of the 98-minute documentary "Speaking of Buñuel" (which provides a fascinating overview of the director's life and works), I'm sad to say that today the film itself is as entertaining as watching wallpaper peel. Recommended for academic collections, optional for popular collections. (S. C. Sickles)
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Criterion, 2 discs, 101 min., in Spanish w/English subtitles, not rated, $39.95 Vol. 16, Issue 2
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
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