Viridiana

"We've got nothing to hide..."

1962 1h 30m ES

🙌

7.7

BANGER

★7.7TMDB · 569

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Viridiana is preparing to start her life as a nun when she is sent, somewhat unwillingly, to visit her aging uncle, Don Jaime. He supports her; but the two have met only once. Jaime thinks Viridiana resembles his dead wife. Viridiana has secretly despised this man all her life and finds her worst fears proven when Jaime grows determined to seduce his pure niece. Viridiana becomes undone as her uncle upends the plans she had made to join the convent.

“We've got nothing to hide...”

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Where to watch · US

Criterion ChannelSubscription

Cast

Silvia Pinal
Viridiana
Francisco Rabal
Jorge
Fernando Rey
Don Jaime
José Calvo
Don Amalio
Margarita Lozano
Ramona
Victoria Zinny
Lucía
Teresa Rabal
Rita
Luis Heredia
El Poca

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Luis Buñuel
Writers: Luis Buñuel, Julio Alejandro
Languages: English, Spanish
Countries: Spain, Mexico

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

90 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

64 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Spain, Mexico.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Luis Buñuel, shot by José F. Aguayo. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Gustavo Pittaluga. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Luis Buñuel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Silvia Pinal and Francisco Rabal and Fernando Rey carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Luis Buñuel directs. José F. Aguayo behind the camera. Gustavo Pittaluga scores. Luis Buñuel cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Spain, Mexico. Dialogue in English, Spanish.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

190 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
264 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
4International production across 2 countries: Spain, Mexico.
5Directed by Luis Buñuel, shot by José F. Aguayo. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Gustavo Pittaluga. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Luis Buñuel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Silvia Pinal and Francisco Rabal and Fernando Rey carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "We've got nothing to hide...".
10IMDB entry: tt0055601 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Classified under 16 themes, including "based on novel or book", "nun", "faith", "lie".

The technical file

Cinematography: José F. Aguayo
Original score: Gustavo Pittaluga
Editing: Luis Buñuel
Production design: Francisco Canet Cubel
Sound: Aurelio García Tijeras
Runtime: 90 min · 1h 30m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Box office: $679,244
Original language: ES
IMDB: Viridiana (1962)

Awards

Palme d'Or

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Luis Buñuel

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

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Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2024-01-28
★ 7/10
It's astonishing how fluid mankind's interpretations of the "will of God" can be! "Viridiana" (Silvia Pinal) is a young nun about to make that final commitment to her order when she is required by her Sister Superior to go and visit her benefactor uncle "Jaime" (Fernando Rey). She's ill-equipped for the outside world nor for the affect her beauty will have on those men now around her. Needless to say, ardours are stirred and after a tragedy ensues that does not entirely disappoint her, she realises that a life serving the Lord cannot be undertaken within the confines of a convent anymore. Instead she sets up a hostel for the starving and homeless in her village. Unfortunately, she hadn't factored in the arrival of "Jorge" (Francisco Rabal) - the handsome and charismatic son of her uncle. Pretty soon she is facing a difficult conflict that will test every element of her faith and her humanity. On the face of it, this is just another romanic melodrama, but there is humour here and Luis Buñuel takes great care crafting an environment in which we can see the eponymous character develop from a shy and introspective woman to one far more aware of life's richnesses - for good or ill. It's also quite a poignant assessment of the role of religion in provincial life as well as providing us images of the stark contrast between rich and poor. Rey features sparingly but effectively and the chemistry between Pinal and Rabal is clear but not obvious - these actors are adding a little extra dimension to the development of the story. In 2024 it's comparatively tame, but in 1961 it must have been pretty provocative and is still well worth a watch.

Production companies