14 Facts About Viridiana

Viridiana is a 1961 Spanish-Mexican film directed by Luis Bunuel and produced by Gustavo Alatriste.

Novice nun named Viridiana is about to take her vows when her uncle Jaime invites her to visit him.

Viridiana's has only met him once and does not want to go, but her mother superior reminds Viridiana that Jaime is her only living relative and paid for her studies, so she agrees to make the trip.

Viridiana greets Viridiana, who strongly resembles her aunt, warmly and is sorry he does not know her better.

Viridiana seems to drop the idea and gets her to agree to stay for a cup of coffee before going to bed, signaling his maid Ramona to drug Viridiana's drink.

Viridiana is kept from boarding the bus out of town by the news that Jaime hung himself.

Viridiana's feels guilty for his death and decides to stay on at the estate.

Meanwhile, Viridiana pays beggars from town to move onto the property, where she cares for them and devotes herself to their moral development.

Viridiana's even welcomes Jose, a man with sores on his arm, who the other beggars do not accept, as they think he has leprosy.

The beggars behave themselves when Viridiana is around, but they revert to their old ways as soon as she is gone.

Viridiana lets her hair down and puts her crown of thorns, which she used to kneel in front of during her prayers, on a pile of waste to be burned.

Viridiana invites her to play cards and listen to some modern music, and, though she appears troubled, she complies.

Spanish board of censors rejected the original ending of the film, which depicted Viridiana entering Jorge's room and slowly closing the door behind her.

Viridiana's format is strangely literary; his symbols are obvious and blunt, such as the revulsion of the girl toward milking or the display of a penknife built into a crucifix.