IMDb RATING
7.6/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
The delirious journey of a mentally-disordered man who is obsessed with committing the perfect crime.The delirious journey of a mentally-disordered man who is obsessed with committing the perfect crime.The delirious journey of a mentally-disordered man who is obsessed with committing the perfect crime.
- Awards
- 1 win & 8 nominations
Ariadne Welter
- Carlota Cervantes
- (as Ariadna Welter)
José María Linares-Rivas
- Willy Corduran
- (as J.M. Linares Rivas)
Enrique Díaz Indiano
- Señor de la Cruz
- (as Enrique Indiano)
Carlos Martínez Baena
- Padre Alonso
- (as Carlos M. Baena)
Armando Acosta
- Hombre casa juegos
- (uncredited)
Eduardo Alcaraz
- Gordo Azuara
- (uncredited)
Janet Alcoriza
- Turista de Oklahoma
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe movie was shot in the middle of a big economic crisis for the Mexican cinema. Production was about to be shut down a few times and the famous scene with the mannequin being cremated was filmed only once because they couldn't afford another mannequin.
- GoofsWhen the nun falls down the empty elevator shaft she screams loudly but the sound is obviously that of a man; in fact, it sounds like a Wilhelm Scream.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Miroslava (1993)
Featured review
Handsome and well-heeled Archibaldo has been convinced from boyhood that he possesses a music box that has the power to kill. He embarks upon a career as a serial murderer in which his intended victims are ravishing looking females but Fate continually thwarts his lethal intentions and his murders never get past the fantasy stage.
The most notorious scene in the film and one of which only this director is capable, is where Archibaldo consigns to the flames of a kiln a wax model of one of his potential victims who has slipped through his grasp. This macabre episode has acquired a tragically ironic overtone as the woman who has modelled for the dummy is played by Miroslava Stern who was cremated shortly after filming completed, having taken her own life. Bunuel was of course to employ a 'prosthetic limb' to great effect in 'Tristana'.
Working within the budgetary limitations of Mexican cinema, director Luis Bunuel has fashioned a stylish, sophisticated and technically polished piece that contains some delicious performances and bizarre Bunuelian moments that linger long in the memory.
Although condemned by circumstances to being innocent of murder Archibaldo still feels the need to 'confess' to the police. He is politely dismissed by a detective with the words:"thinking about murdering someone does not constitute a crime." This will strike a chord with most of us I am sure!
The most notorious scene in the film and one of which only this director is capable, is where Archibaldo consigns to the flames of a kiln a wax model of one of his potential victims who has slipped through his grasp. This macabre episode has acquired a tragically ironic overtone as the woman who has modelled for the dummy is played by Miroslava Stern who was cremated shortly after filming completed, having taken her own life. Bunuel was of course to employ a 'prosthetic limb' to great effect in 'Tristana'.
Working within the budgetary limitations of Mexican cinema, director Luis Bunuel has fashioned a stylish, sophisticated and technically polished piece that contains some delicious performances and bizarre Bunuelian moments that linger long in the memory.
Although condemned by circumstances to being innocent of murder Archibaldo still feels the need to 'confess' to the police. He is politely dismissed by a detective with the words:"thinking about murdering someone does not constitute a crime." This will strike a chord with most of us I am sure!
- brogmiller
- Mar 3, 2022
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Kriminalni zivot Arcibalda Kruza
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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What is the Japanese language plot outline for The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz (1955)?
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