The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz

The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz Movie Poster
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Rotten Tomatoes® Score
Tomatometer 92% 92% Audience Score 93% 93%

In Theaters: November 27, 1962 (limited)

1h 31m | Comedy, Drama


This Mexican-filmed black comedy (distributed in the U.S. seven years after its initial 1955 release date) is one of the minor but no less characteristic works of director Luis Buñuel. The film begins with Archibaldo (Ernesto Alonso) being triggered by a music box into a lengthy reminiscence of his childhood.

It was an average, everyday incident, one that undoubtedly has occurred to us all: Archibaldo was caught dressing up in his mother's clothes by his governess, who was then instantly killed by a revolutionary's bullet before she could tell on him.

The experience proved to be Archibaldo's first rush, and he spends the rest of his life trying to re-create the sexual euphoria of that moment -- by murdering attractive women. Buñuel's characteristic perverse black humor then adds a twist, which prevents Archibaldo from fulfilling his desires.

Perverse, but darkly funny, Ensayo de un Crimen is a slyly shocking delight.

Director: Luis Buñuel
Producer(s): Alfonso Patiño Gómez
Cast: Ernesto Alonso, Miroslava , Rita Macedo, Carlos Baena, Leonor Llausás
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