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.

Genres

Cast

Jean-Claude Brialy

Mr. Foucault

Adriana Asti

Lady in Black

Milena Vukotić

Nurse

Monica Vitti

Mrs. Foucault

Jean Rochefort

Mr. Legendre

Michel Piccoli

Police Prefect #2

Adolfo Celi

Doctor

Claude Piéplu

Commissioner

Paul Frankeur

Innkeeper

Pierre Maguelon

Policeman

François Maistre

Professor

Marie-France Pisier

Mrs. Calmette