StudioCanal, out now

Seven of Luis Buñuel’s best movies brought together in great new editions.

This may seem like something a little outside the remit of Sci-Fi Bulletin, and certainly some of the movies – That Obscure Object of Desire and Belle du Jour, notably – are not fantasy (of that sort) related… but are films that deserve to be seen  by anyone with a serious interest in the medium.

The Milky Way is the one that will be of most interest to fans of the surreal, centred around two travellers who cross the years and miles. The title doesn’t refer to the galaxy in which we live, but rather a pilgrim route stretching from northern Europe down into Spain. It’s supposedly set in the present day (1969) but the two men encounter characters from across the entirety of the Catholic faith – including Jesus. There are fascinating discussions of elements of Christianity (and many inbuilt fallacies are exposed along the way). For those who have the Criterion edition, this adds a new interview with the screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière.

Watching the films through in order, you can understand why the director felt as if he’d come to a natural halt with Tristana, but then was revived by the idea of The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie into a new phase. The surrealism intensifies and you find that each time you watch the movies, new facets strike you. They won’t be for everyone who visits this site, but for those who want material that makes them think, seek this set out.

Verdict: An excellent collection of Buñuel’s work. 8/10

Paul Simpson