La mort en ce jardin

Saw the complete film in new york in the 80's. 140 min. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> if you see the cut version they are using on dvd you get a very watered down story. Why does IMDB not list the 140 min. version? Everybody must know that is the official French version!? there is alot more to explain the beginning, the army, the jungle. its way better.

on tv in the 90's on kgo-7 Movie Greats Network appeared a dubbed version called DIAMOND HUNTERS. it said 1978 and ran 88 min.

This is not what we would call 'vintage' Bunuel although it is one of his earlier films and made only a couple of years before Nazarin (1959) which would prove to be the start of the most amazing run of cinema classics, certainly half a dozen of the finest films ever made and quite possibly a dozen. This is more mundane, although always of interest and those little Bunuel trademark signs do creep in. Indeed without wishing to spoil anyone's viewing it does turn out that salvation at the end is at the cost of some 50 lives. It is also interesting to see how the priest is ridiculed throughout and that the seeming good and kind turn out to have interests much closer to their own hearts. It surprises me that after the wondrous El (1953) and hilarious Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz (1955) Bunuel should decide to make this more straightforward literary adaptation but there were undoubtedly financial restraints and it is well documented that he would rather make a lesser film for someone than make nothing at all. And it is surely this perseverance that would lead to that aforementioned fantastic run of films that would establish him as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.

Probably Bunuel's most straightforward movie. There is very little of the usual strangeness from the director but as usual the characters are more than one dimensional. Michel Picolli as the priest and Signoret , Vanel, the entire cast are excellent with the exception of the deaf daughter who is a little sentimentalized. Still it's a gripping action adventure movie that one wouldn't expect from the master of surrealism.

Chark, a mysterious adventurer, arrives in a small village, near a diamond mining field, where a riot has just begun. Probably one of the most unknown films by Luis Buñuel, the genius of surrealist cinema. It is far from being a great work by the Spanish director, however, the atmosphere created around the story is enough to captivate and hold the viewer, especially anyone who is a fan of the western genre. In this case, contrary to what is usual in his filmography, Buñuel didn't created characters full of eccentricity or odd, but rather more down-to-earth characters. As the narrative progresses, the pace intensifies, and grows in a very interesting way, and when reaches the climax, which for me was the best part, resolves all the tension accumulated in a really nice way.

The only Buneul I can recall seeing are Un Chien Andalou and Virdinia. Death in the Garden was a totally different experience but just as eye-opening. Its based more firmly in reality and its similar on the surface to films like The African Queen. Its a hard-boiled adventure in the jungle, told in a 2-act scenario with a great emphasis in setting up the relationships and identities of the cast. That sets it apart from so many films of this nature. You care so much about these people. And Buneul keeps them believable and complex. You have no clue who will survive or betray the team. The answers are shocking but the ultimate climax is refreshing. You get an almost romantic and optimistic payoff that is earned... without being melodramatic.

It goes without saying that the film is brilliant technically and stylistically. Bunuel was a true master and this is a masterpiece for its genre. Recommended for fans of well-made adventure/thrillers from any time or place.