The Phantom of Liberty
Seen it?1974 | 104 min | Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 44 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1974: an older pace and style.
This Surrealist film, with a title referencing the Communist Manifesto, strings together short incidents based on the life of director Luis Buñuel. Presented as chance encounters, these loosely related, intersecting situations, all without a consistent protagonist, reach from the 19th century to the 1970s. Touching briefly on subjects such as execution, pedophilia, incest, and sex, the film features an array of characters, including a sick father and incompetent police officers.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
85% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$7K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 21K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Luis Buñuel
- Jean-Claude BrialyMr. Foucault
- Adriana AstiLady in Black
- Milena VukotićNurse
- Monica VittiMrs. Foucault
- Jean RochefortMr. Legendre
- Michel PiccoliPolice Prefect #2
- Adolfo CeliDoctor
- Claude PiépluCommissioner
- Paul FrankeurInnkeeper
- Pierre MaguelonPoliceman