The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz
| Ensayo de un Crimen The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz |
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Ensayo de un Crimen poster
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| Directed by | Luis Buñuel |
| Produced by | Alfonso Patiño Gómez |
| Written by |
Luis Buñuel Eduardo Ugarte Rodolfo Usigli |
| Starring |
Miroslava Ernesto Alonso Rita Macedo Ariadne Welter Andrea Palma |
| Music by | Jorge Pérez Herrera |
| Distributed by | Alianza Cinematográfica |
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Release date
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19 May 1955 (Mexico) |
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Running time
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89 min. |
| Language | Spanish |
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz (original Spanish title: Ensayo de un Crimen) is a 1955 Mexican film by Spanish-born writer-director Luis Buñuel. It focuses on a would-be serial killer whose plans, although elaborate, never result in an actual murder.
Archibaldo de la Cruz (Alonso) is a wealthy Mexican man. As a privileged child during the Mexican Revolution, he witnessed the death of his governess, who died as she told him a fable about a music box that his mother had just given him. Because of the contents of the story and the coincidental timing of the governess's death, a young Archibaldo concludes that he had killed the woman using the music box. It is from there that his desire to kill begins.
As an adult, Archibaldo relates this story to a nun, and threatens to kill her with a straight razor. The terrified woman runs from Archibaldo, eventually running into an empty elevator shaft to her death. Archibaldo is called in by a judge investigating the incident. He confesses that he is responsible for her death, and for many others.
Patricia Terrazas (Macedo), is rather loud and constantly at conflict with her lover. After witnessing a fight between her and her lover, Archibaldo follows her and offers to drive her home, which she accepts. On arriving, he fantasizes of killing her with his straight razor, but is interrupted when her lover arrives home. The next morning a police officer arrives at Archibaldo's home, with news that Patricia had committed suicide.
Next, Archibaldo turns his attention to Carlota Cervantes (Welter), a woman who outwardly appears very religious, and is purported to be a virgin. However, she is having an affair with a married man. Archibaldo approaches her saying that he is very conflicted between good and evil. He thinks that Carlota can fix his problems, and proposes to marry her.
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