Tristana (1970)

I read the warning here from another potential buyer complaining about the excision of certain frames from the movie's end-montage, so sent an email to the Cohen Group asking about it.

Here's their reply, which sounds very positive indeed, so I'll be ordering this new Blu ray

"Thank you for your e-mail. The version of the feature TRISTANA that we are releasing is exactly the same version that Criterion released on VHS and Laserdisc in the mid 1990's though the quality is far superior. Our scan is from an original negative, as confirmed by one of Criterion's lead producers (This restoration began with Criterion, but not completed before their license expired). We've checked the negative and there are no physical cuts to the ending montage sequence introducing new material. However, we were made aware that a few shots in the end montage differ from the version available in Europe. We accessed this ending and include it as an alternate ending.

Among other extras, we have included

a feature length audio commentary between Catherine Deneuve and critic Kent Jones,

a 30 minute visual essay about the film featuring Buñuel scholar Peter William Evans,

excerpts from Deneuve's diary entries written during production,

a new essay by Cineaste editor Richard Porton

a chapter on the film from scholar Raymond Durgnat's now out of print book on Buñuel, and

Spanish and English language dialogue tracks.

We feel that you will agree that this is the best looking version available anywhere."

Sounds pretty good ... and they only took one day to answer my query!

Note: Apparently, there is some discussion about whether the film ending provided here is the original as conceived by Buñuel. I can't answer that definitively as I was not at the film's premiere in Spain over 40 years ago. In any version I've seen, I personally find the ending a tad abrupt. However, this is the same ending that was on the Criterion LaserDisc release and those involved in both that release and this one maintain that this is the director's vision. The alternate ending provided in the extras was found on some circulating European prints and so it was provided as a Bonus.

Released in 1970, this late period Buñuel classic serves up exactly what you might expect of the master. With requisite jabs at government, religion, and class distinction, I've always felt like "Tristana" was one of Buñuel's most straightforward efforts. There is sly humor, to be sure, and surrealistic undertones that distinguish his style. But those touches aren't as overt as you might anticipate and we're left with a uncomfortable tale of obsession and shifting sexual mores. Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar, this is also reputed to be one of leading lady Catherine Deneuve's favorite roles. Deneuve had worked with Buñuel previously on the iconic "Belle de Jour" (still the most classic Deneuve role, to my mind), but here she had the opportunity to really get into a complex and developing heroine. She starts as an inquisitive innocent, fosters resentment, gains independence, and shoots into vengeful villainy. This is really, at heart, a tale of one dysfunctional relationship that is a long standing battle for dominance. But when both parties try to get the upper hand, can there ever be a satisfying conclusion or victory?

The great Fernando Rey (also a Buñuel veteran, most notably he went on to do 1972's The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie and 1977's That Obscure Object Of Desire) plays a nobleman who has position, if not exactly much money. When Deneuve's mother dies, Rey takes in young Tristana and becomes a doting paternal figure. However, he seems to have other designs as he molds the young girl to his specifications. Taking her as a lover, the two spend many years together. But as Tristana gets older, she wants to experience more of life and her feelings start to turn to resentment, than to indifference, and finally to vengeance. When another man (Franco Nero) comes into the picture, it might just be the final undoing of our central pair. But an unexpected third act provides a final showdown that perfectly captures the evolution of their relationship.

While "Tristana" isn't necessarily my favorite Buñuel, it is certainly an essential if you consider yourself a fan. Rey and Deneuve are both terrific, and the twists in the story are gleefully unpleasant. Ultimately, in one way or another, each of the central characters is obsessed with the other which makes the dynamic so interesting. Of special value are the bountiful special features. Deneuve and critic Kent Jones provide a commentary track. I was thrown off by what I thought were sync issues while watching the feature (which is in Spanish with English subtitles), but Deneuve explains it by saying her performance was actually shot in French. And with the complaints of prior releases being re-edited, the film has been restored to its original vision with the alternate ending as one of the extra options. Furthermore, the presentation looks terrific. A must for Buñuel enthusiasts. About 4 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 3/12.

Buy Tristana (1970) Now

Hello. I'm posting this review to let everyone know that the new Blu ray of Luis Bunuel's TRISTANA is excellent both in quality as well as being complete. There is an extra feature of an alternate ending in which a few shots are different, but contrary to an earlier post, the ending on the main feature is exactly the same as when I saw this film at the NYFF & also in theatres. The image quality of this Blu ray is very film like and quite beautiful. In fact, I would say that watching this Blu ray is for me a revelation, bringing out facets of the film I had never noticed before. The image is a touch darker in a few interior scenes than when this film was released, but I don't find this to be a problem. In fact, the difference is so slight as to be a non-issue.

In terms of the quality of Bunuel's film, rather than give my own opinion, I'll simply quote Alfred Hitchcock, who felt after seeing TRISTANA that Bunuel was "the world's greatest living director" and that he had never before seen "such brilliant direction of actors" in a film.

I also must say that the extras on this disc are themselves worth the price of admission, in particular, a film long conversation between Catherine Deneuve and Kent Jones, about her career, her methods of expressing the characters she has played, and her memories of the directors she has worked with. In addition, there is a half hour conversation with Bunuelian scholar Peter William Evans on the struggle of Bunuel to make TRISTANA for over a decade in Spain, and a booklet that includes an essay by Richard Porton, fragments of Ms. Deneuve's diary written during the production of TRISTANA & an excerpt from Raymond Durgnat's book on Bunuel.

Read Best Reviews of Tristana (1970) Here

Note: Apparently, there is some discussion about whether the film ending provided here is the original as conceived by Buñuel. I can't answer that definitively as I was not at the film's premiere in Spain over 40 years ago. In any version I've seen, I personally find the ending a tad abrupt. However, this is the same ending that was on the Criterion LaserDisc release and those involved in both that release and this one maintain that this is the director's vision. The alternate ending provided in the extras was found on some circulating European prints and so it was provided as a Bonus.

Released in 1970, this late period Buñuel classic serves up exactly what you might expect of the master. With requisite jabs at government, religion, and class distinction, I've always felt like "Tristana" was one of Buñuel's most straightforward efforts. There is sly humor, to be sure, and surrealistic undertones that distinguish his style. But those touches aren't as overt as you might anticipate and we're left with a uncomfortable tale of obsession and shifting sexual mores. Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar, this is also reputed to be one of leading lady Catherine Deneuve's favorite roles. Deneuve had worked with Buñuel previously on the iconic "Belle de Jour" (still the most classic Deneuve role, to my mind), but here she had the opportunity to really get into a complex and developing heroine. She starts as an inquisitive innocent, fosters resentment, gains independence, and shoots into vengeful villainy. This is really, at heart, a tale of one dysfunctional relationship that is a long standing battle for dominance. But when both parties try to get the upper hand, can there ever be a satisfying conclusion or victory?

The great Fernando Rey (also a Buñuel veteran, most notably he went on to do 1972's The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie and 1977's That Obscure Object Of Desire) plays a nobleman who has position, if not exactly much money. When Deneuve's mother dies, Rey takes in young Tristana and becomes a doting paternal figure. However, he seems to have other designs as he molds the young girl to his specifications. Taking her as a lover, the two spend many years together. But as Tristana gets older, she wants to experience more of life and her feelings start to turn to resentment, than to indifference, and finally to vengeance. When another man (Franco Nero) comes into the picture, it might just be the final undoing of our central pair. But an unexpected third act provides a final showdown that perfectly captures the evolution of their relationship.

While "Tristana" isn't necessarily my favorite Buñuel, it is certainly an essential if you consider yourself a fan. Rey and Deneuve are both terrific, and the twists in the story are gleefully unpleasant. Ultimately, in one way or another, each of the central characters is obsessed with the other which makes the dynamic so interesting. Of special value are the bountiful special features. Deneuve and critic Kent Jones provide a commentary track. I was thrown off by what I thought were sync issues while watching the feature (which is in Spanish with English subtitles), but Deneuve explains it by saying her performance was actually shot in French. And with the complaints of prior releases being re-edited, the film has been restored to its original vision with the alternate ending as one of the extra options. Furthermore, the presentation looks terrific. A must for Buñuel enthusiasts. About 4 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 3/12.

Want Tristana (1970) Discount?

The quality of the blu-ray is impeccable; it really looks stunning and is amongst the most visually elegant and beautiful of Bunuel's films. Catherine Deneuve is transcendantly gorgeous, and Fernando Rey is enjoyably unctuous and loathsome. Familiar Bunuelian themes of cruelty, sexual degradation, transgression.

I hadn't seen the film in close to 20 years, though, and remembered the resolution as being more satisfying. It's not uncommon for Bunuel's films to end abruptly; this belongs to that genus. So, thoroughly enjoyable and sumptuous to look at but a bit of a curious ending. Still turning it over in my head a bit.

Save 46% Off