(aka 'An Andalusian Dog')
Sensual, shocking and deeply subversive, Luis Buñuel
and Salvador Dali's surreal short from 1928, Un Chien Andalou, is a
masterpiece of provocation: one of the few films - arguably the only film -
really to use the medium's potential for pure anarchy.
In Un Chien Andalou, the cinema becomes an anti-rational arena for that
which is elsewhere unthinkable and inadmissible. A cloud drifts across a
floating moon; a razor slices a woman's eyeball; grand pianos with dead cattle
are dragged across a bourgeois sitting room; ants scurry in and out of a hole in
a man's hand; his mouth is transformed into armpit hair - one of the most
disquieting, hilarious images ever committed to celluloid. When Foucault wrote
about Borges's mythical Chinese encyclopedia with its bizarre classifications,
he says he laughed out loud at "the stark impossibility of thinking that". The
images in Un Chien Andalou make you laugh the same way.
Excerpt from peter Bradshaw's article in the Guardian located HERE
Poster
Theatrical Release: June 6th, 1929 - France
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL
DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
|
Distribution | BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL | |
Runtime | 15:52 | |
Video | 1.28:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.0 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
||
Bitrate: |
|
|
Audio | Silent - Commentary in Dolby Digital 2.0 | |
Subtitles | English (for Commentary), None | |
Features |
Release Information: Edition Details: • Documentary
A Proposito De Bunuel with optional subtitles (1:39:15) |
Comments: |
Well - I am floored! What a magnificent package. Un Chien Andalou looks to come from the BFI Video/analog catalogue with a little chroma bug here and there. The true gem of this DVD is the A Proposito De Buñuel feature. Inspiring... it makes you want to quit your job to immerse yourself in Buñuel as a full time project! I LOVE the idea of optional subtitles on everything. Done before by BFI and it looks like it's here to stay. What a fabulous idea! This is even an advancement over what Criterion does. This is a strong contender for DVD of the year. Sure some damage is visible, but with what they include and how they present it, I am willing to give a wide berth on technical (perhaps a million dollar restoration could bump the image to be 20% better)... and the film is almost 75 years old. It still looks very good with excellent contrast, good title card and extras. out of |
Recommended Reading for Buñuel Fans (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
My Last Sigh by Luis Bunuel, Abigail Israel |
Buñuel: 100 Years: It's Dangerous to Look Inside by Enrique Camacho |
An Unspeakable Betrayal:
Selected Writings of Luis Bunuel by Jean-Claude Carriere |
Bunuel by John Baxter |
Luis Bunuel : New Readings by Peter William Evans |
The Discreet Art of Luis Bunuel: A
Reading of His Films by Gwynne Edwards |
The Films of Luis
Bunuel: Subjectivity and Desire (Oxford Hispanic
Studies) by Peter William Evans " |
Buñuel's The
Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (Cambridge Film
Handbooks) by Marsha Kinder |
Check out more in "The Library"
DVD Menus
Intertitle Sample
Screen Captures
(aka "Âge d'or" or "Age of Gold" or "The Golden Age"')
After the success of Un Chien Andalou with accolades from the ruling Parisian surrealists, Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí were commissioned by Marie-Laurie and Charles de Noailles to make another experimental short film. It was expected that it would be extensively using classical music and obtuse imagery. What resulted was an alarming mediation on how to disrupt the public majority. Everyone seemed insulted... and they protested. It seems almost impossible that this film could have been made so long ago. Buñuel and Dali are thumbing their respective noses at every conceivable social moray and value. I wish I could think of someone to compare this to in modern day... but no one would be worthy.
Buñuel penned that L'Age d'Or was about "the impossible force that thrusts two people together [and] the impossibility of their ever becoming one." Amusingly enough the couple referred to were both sex-maniacs who reveled by lusting after everything including each other and inanimate objects. Eventually this breaks down as something beyond a film - something that cannot be scrutinized in a short paragraph or two. My advice is only to watch it... and enjoy. out of
Gary W. Tooze
Posters
Theatrical Release: October 28th, 1930 - Paris, France
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL
DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from: |
Distribution | BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL | |
Runtime | 1:02:20 | |
Video | 1.30:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.19 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
||
Bitrate: |
|
|
Audio | French (Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono) | |
Subtitles | English, None | |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: BFI Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.30:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by Robert Short with optional subtitles
• 28 page booklet in case with "Un
Chien Andalo" |
Comments: |
This is just too much! RE: The commentary - Selecting the commentary track you see only about 26 minutes of the film with Robert Short's articulate words which are to be treasured. He divines logical interpretation where rarely would even the most ardent Buñuel fan observe. I found it very illuminating although wished it would spread to the entire film rather than less than half. If anyone could transform a surrealist neophyte into a devout fan - this commentary would do it ! A little damage in the film - again analog and non-interlaced (most likely taken from beta), excellent subtitles and commentary titles. This edition has become on of my most treasured DVD packages. Don't hesitate - I'm off to watch and listen to the commentary yet again.out of |
Recommended Reading in French Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
The Films in My Life |
French Cinema: A Student's Guide by Philip Powrie, Keith Reader |
Agnes Varda by Alison Smith | Godard on Godard : Critical Writings by Jean-Luc Godard | Notes on the Cinematographer by Robert Bresson |
Robert Bresson (Cinematheque Ontario Monographs, No.
2) by James Quandt |
The Art of Cinema by Jean Cocteau |
French New Wave
by Jean Douchet, Robert Bonnono, Cedric Anger, Robert Bononno |
Check out more in "The Library"
DVD Menus
Subtitle + Title card Sample
Screen Captures
A Commentary Subtitle Option sample
Recommended Reading for Buñuel Fans (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
My Last Sigh by Luis Bunuel, Abigail Israel |
Buñuel: 100 Years: It's Dangerous to Look Inside by Enrique Camacho |
An Unspeakable Betrayal:
Selected Writings of Luis Bunuel by Jean-Claude Carriere |
Bunuel by John Baxter |
Luis Bunuel : New Readings by Peter William Evans |
The Discreet Art of Luis Bunuel: A
Reading of His Films by Gwynne Edwards |
The Films of Luis
Bunuel: Subjectivity and Desire (Oxford Hispanic
Studies) by Peter William Evans " |
Buñuel's The
Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (Cambridge Film
Handbooks) by Marsha Kinder |
Check out more in "The Library"
DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from: |
Distribution | BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL |
Luis Buñuel's L'Âge d'or + un chien andalou - BFI
Region 1 NTSC
DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge
d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD
Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or
un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review
Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un
chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel's L'Âge d'or un chien andalou - Miramax Region 1
vs. RusCiCo Region 5
DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge
d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD
Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or
un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review
Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un
chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis
Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien andalou DVD Review Luis Buñuel L'Âge d'or un chien
andalou DVD Review