Chien Andalou

Rating:
Summary: deserves better treatment for DVD
Review: The Facets DVD of Un Chien Andalou is a disgrace. The frame was severly cropped at the top (some scenes feature actors lopped off at their foreheads). Contrast was boosted to the point where significant detail is lost. As if this weren't enough, there is a wide unsightly glitch running horizontally across the screen that lasts for 5 or so frames. Despite the interviews with Bunuel's son which are the only things worth the time here, I would avoid this disc. The film itself I think is great. It's a shame that a staple of art cinema has been handled so poorly for DVD.


Rating:
Summary: The initial seeds of surrealism start to grow
Review: You have to admire the temerity of Bu?uel and Dali to create this piece of material circa 1928, when it was going to cause an outrage in that taboo period. Bu?uel actually took stones to the premiere to throw at the critics. I have recently watched two sonorised versions with different soundtracks, the original, and one by Mauricio Kagel, which I prefer. It includes a growling menacing dog, which is appropriate for this film, because it's like the man is imposing himself on the woman like a mean dog, and she repels him. It is a very accomplished piece of work for that era; it is well crafted, and showed the promise of Bu?uel, which turned out to be legendary. A magnificent landmark and watershed of artistic filmmaking.