The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz (1955): Cast & Plot
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz is a 1955 crime drama directed by Luis Buñuel, starring Ernesto Alonso as Archibaldo de la Cruz, Leonor Llausás and Miroslava. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 29m (89 min)
- Director
- Luis Buñuel
- Original language
-
Spanish - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz About?
The premise of The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A darkly comic tale that follows a man obsessed with achieving fame as a serial killer of women. Driven by an all‑consuming ambition, he meticulously plans murders, but his schemes continually backfire, leading to absurd, unintended consequences that undercut his murderous aspirations.
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- dark comedy
- murder confession
- coincidence
- childhood memory
- mexican revolution
- music box
- confession
- mental disorder
- investigator
- voice over narration
- told in flashback
- flashback
+38 more Show fewer
- younger version of character
- boy
- walking with a cane
- spoiled boy
- hiding in a closet
- hiding place
- taking off someone's shoes
- little boy
- spoiled brat
- rich family
- open elevator shaft
- mother son relationship
- shooting
- gunshot
- shootout
- shot to death
- death by gunshot
- secretly observing
- broken window
- breaking a window
- nun
- nurse
- razor
- disbelief
- locking a door
- locked door
- murder
- reference to god
- barefoot male
- falling to death
- falling down an elevator shaft
- doctor
- investigation
- psychiatric patient
- mentally ill man
- mental illness
- mentally ill protagonist
- mentally challenged
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz Cast & Characters
Ernesto Alonso leads the cast as Archibaldo de la Cruz, with Leonor Llausás as The Governess and Miroslava as Lavinia. Directed by Luis Buñuel; 36 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Luis Buñuel
- Ernesto Alonso as Archibaldo de la Cruz
- Leonor Llausás as The Governess
- Miroslava as Lavinia
- Lupe Carriles as Maid at Carlota's home (uncredited)
Also Starring in The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz
· 32 more- Andrea Palma Mrs. Cervantes
- Ariadna Welter Carlota Cervantes
- Rodolfo Landa Alejandro Rivas
- Rita Macedo Patricia Terrazas
- José María Linares Rivas Willy Corduran
- Manuel Dondé Colonel at wedding
- Leonor Gómez Waitress (uncredited)
- Carlos Riquelme The Commissioner
- Armando Acosta Man at Gordo's (uncredited)
- Eduardo Alcaraz Gordo Azuara (uncredited)
- Jesús Gómez López - policeman (uncredited)
- Antonio Bravo Antiques dealer (uncredited)
- Roberto Meyer Doctor (uncredited)
- Ignacio Peón Wedding guest (uncredited)
- Armando Velasco Judge
- Jorge Casanova Draftsman (uncredited)
Show all 36 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Enrique García Álvarez Chucho (uncredited)
- Enedina Díaz de León Maid (uncredited)
- Elodia Hernández Dress shop owner (uncredited)
- Salvador Lozano Gambler (uncredited)
- Ángel Di Stefani Police agent (uncredited)
- Carlos Martínez Baena Priest
- Enrique Díaz 'Indiano' Señor de la Cruz, Archibaldo's father
- Eva Calvo Señora de la Cruz, Archibaldo's mother
- Francisco Ledesma Antique shop asst. (uncredited)
- Jorge Chesterking Tourist from Oklahoma (uncredited)
- Ángel Merino Handwriting expert (uncredited)
- Rafael Banquells hijo Archibaldo as a boy (uncredited)
- José Peña Esteban (uncredited)
- Emilio Brillas Mannequin maker (uncredited)
- Janet Alcoriza American tourist (uncredited)
- Chabela Durán
More from Luis Buñuel
More films directed by Luis Buñuel, best-rated first: That Obscure Object of Desire, Tristana (re-release), The Golden Age and The Phantom of Liberty (re-release).
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz Plot Summary
What happens in The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Archibaldo de la Cruz, a wealthy Mexican man, begins a tale by telling a nun a memory from his childhood, a memory that still haunts him with a sense of dangerous power. During the upheaval of the Mexican Revolution, his indulgent mother entrusts him with a special music box, and his stern governess, The Governess, warns that it can unleash death on his enemies. To test this ominous claim, Archibaldo winds up the box, and tragedy follows in a flash: the governess is struck by a stray bullet, fueling a chilling belief that he has killed her.
Full summary
The whole story of The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the wealthy Mexican protagonist?
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Престъпният живот на Арчибалдо де ла Крус” and “Estasi di un delitto”.
- Also known as
-
- Престъпният живот на Арчибалдо де ла Крус
- Estasi di un delitto
- La vida criminal de Archibaldo de la Cruz
- Das verbrecherische Leben des Archibaldo de la Cruz
- La Vie criminelle d'Archibald de La Cruz
- Ensaio de um Crime
- Опит за престъпление
- 범죄에 대한 수필
- 犯罪生涯
- Zbrodnicze życie Archibalda de la Cruz
- Η εγκληματική ζωή του Αρτσιμπάλντο ντε λα Κρουζ
- Archibaldo de la Cruzin rikollinen elämä
Seen The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz?
Movies Like The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Criminal Affair, Crónicas and El crimen del expreso de Andalucía.
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz?
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).
When was The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz released?
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz was released on May 19, 1955.
Who directed The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz?
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz was directed by Luis Buñuel.
More films by Luis Buñuel Who is in the cast of The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz?
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz stars Ernesto Alonso as Archibaldo de la Cruz, Leonor Llausás as The Governess and Miroslava as Lavinia, among 36 credited actors.
Does The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz have a post-credit scene?
No. The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz in?
The original language of The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz is Spanish.
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