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Simón del desierto(1965)
(aka Simon of the Desert)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
The joyful disrespect that Luis Buñuel has for all matters religious permeates this cutting satire on one man's search for heavenly ascension. Standing on top of a column, for six years, six months and six days, Simon (Claudio Brook) is approached by a motley bunch of monks, businessmen and villagers. They would be only too pleased if Simon would descend from his lofty perch and preach from a brand new column, provided by a grateful businessman (in thanks for curing him of an iniquitous disease!). Since Simon doesn't care either way, one pillar is much the same as another, he unsteadily climbs down and makes his way through the throngs, eager for his touch or a scrap of his cloak. Along the way Simon is waylaid by his elderly mother, desirous of an embrace before she passes away. Mystified that she bothered to ask this favour (since nothing must come between the love of God and his servant, Simon) he acquiesces, then proclaims that their next meeting will be in Heaven.

From Simon's new elevation it's clear, to us if not to Simon, that the surrounding groups will never approach his level of asceticism. Rather than respecting him for his fervour and dedication, the only reason anyone visits is to get something from Simon, be it a miracle, blessing or simply attention from his holy presence. A man shouts from the crowd, asking that his hands be restored to him - they were cut of for thievery, although he proclaims his repentance. As Simon says, all he can do is pray and see what happens. Amazingly a miracle occurs, yet the man doesn't even bother to give thanks, he simply wanders off with his family and, as the first use of his supernaturally restored limbs, gives his child a slap. The crowd almost stand up and give marks out of ten, so blase is their reaction.

Simon has more important battles than merely convincing the populace and local religious order to act according to God's will though. In his solitary penance the Devil (Silvia Pinal) comes visiting, clothing himself in alluring forms and sorely tempting Simon. As a beautiful young peasant girl the Devil typifies the exquisite pleasures of the flesh, almost activating Simon's lustful desires. Luckily he sees through such visions, only asking of God why he allows such torment to continue. Stir in the malingering presence of Simon's mother, who has camped at the foot of the column and hopes for but a look from her son, with visits from tainted monks and it's clear that there will never be a resolution between Heaven and Earth in this picture.

Direct and simple, Simon of the Desert alludes to everything that is corrupt within religion without resorting to blatant propaganda. Rather than bludgeoning us with the fallacies of the monks, they are allowed to subtly condemn themselves with words and actions. Simon doesn't even consider that he's pure, continually castigating himself for his weaknesses and pushing ever further with self-denial. Of course, in the end, even Simon is unable to free himself from his animal instincts. Unfortunately the way in which Buñuel illustrates this fall from grace is a let down, probably enforced upon the director by not having enough money to finish the film correctly. Nevertheless, Buñuel is particularly scathing in this movie and there are numerous hints of how great Simon of the Desert could of been as a full-length feature. A flawed masterpiece.

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