Un Chien Andalou

"Dali and I made a silent film about our dreams." Bunuel

☆☆☆☆☆  Masterpiece

Un Chien Andalou (1929) is a silent short film masterpiece that revolutionized, scandalized, and forever changed cinema.

Directed by Luis Bunuel and co-written by Luis and Salvador Dali.

Starring Simone Marueil, Pierre Batcheff, Luis Bunuel and salvador dali among many others.

Bunuel and Dali showcased the potential of cinema to be more than just stories with narrative. It is a filmed with visuals and stories that don't make sense.

The key to understanding Un Chien Andalou is that it mirrors our dream world. Both Bunuel and Dali said they made it like their dreams. Luis was staying at Salvador's house in Paris. Bunuel told Dali about a dream he had of a cloud that sliced a full moon, like a razor slicing through an eye. Dali then told Bunuel about his dream of ants coming out of a hole in the palm of his hand. Dali suggested they start the movie right there. Bunuel asked his mother for a little money to make the short film. Dali and Bunuel wrote the screenplay while Bunuel acted and directed it. The film was completed in a few days. Luis and Salvador had only one rule; they would only film irrational images and not try to explain them. Just as their dreams had no logic or order so does their completed masterpiece.

I understand Bunuel on a spiritual level. When you watch Un Chien Andalou or especially Bunuel's later films, let the images Luis gives you, help you create your own story. Bunuel's images can mean anything you want them to mean, just like your dreams, which can be interpreted anyway you want. Make this irrational film, as rational as you would your dreams. Enjoy!

Film Scene

Trivia - The priest who is being dragged with the piano is Salvador Dali.

Film Trailer

Once Upon A Time In The West

"You brought one horse too many." Harmonica

☆☆☆☆☆ Masterpiece

Once Upon A Time In The West (1968) re-imagined the western with stunning visuals, eerie sounds and characters who were morally and ethically gray.

 Directed by Sergio Leone.

Starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, Gabriele Ferzetti, Claudia Cardinale.

Including Ennio Morricone (Music), Toninio Delli Colli (Cinematography), Nino Baragli (Editor), Sound, Costume and Set Departments all contributed to making this the greatest western of all time.

I have never included non-actors in the starring of a movie until this film. The actors all magnificent, but without the brilliant characters that the eerie sounds, the music, the sets and the costumes create Once Upon would not be a masterpiece.

The scene below with the character actor Jack Elam and a fly illustrate the high caliber of acting throughout the film. A fly (like any animal or child) would normally steal a scene from an actor. Jack managed to play off the fly brilliantly.

The majestic visuals throughout the film and morally grey characters reminds me of Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse. Pay particular attention to the sounds, music, sets and costumes in this film, because each one is its own character that propels and deepens the story for the audience. One of my favorite character traits is the use of specific music for each cast member. I also enjoyed the eerie sounds from the set pieces and the costumes that define each character.

Film Scene

Trivia - To get the fly to come on Jack Elam's face they lightly coated his face with jam. They had a jar full of flies and let one out close to Jacks face. They shot close-up's of Jacks' reactions to the fly on his face.

Film Trailer