THE DEPTHS OF PASSION (ABISMOS DE PASSION)

Mexico, 1953, 91 minutes, Black and white.
Irasema Delian, Jorge Mistral.
Directed by Luis Bunuel.

The Depths of Passion is Luis Bunuel's version of Wuthering Heights, filmed in Mexico in the early '50s. It is a highly Hispanic and melodramatic interpretation of what is a highly emotional and melodramatic story. Transferred to Mexico, it seems a story of even greater emotion and passion.

The film was made during Bunuel's Mexican period - working with smaller budgets, with local actors and actresses. Nevertheless, his power of understanding the passions of human nature, his sense of high drama as well as absurdity make the film a powerful experience. It can be compared with the William Wyler version with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon and a later British version with Timothy Dalton Anna Korda Marshall.

1. The work of Luis Bunuel - in Europe, in Mexico? This film from his Mexican period? His choice of the work of Emily Bronte? His interpretation and dramatisation?

2. The Mexican locations, the sense of period? The transferring of characters and plot from Yorkshire to Mexico? Appropriate, credible? Keeping Emily Bronte's atmosphere? The musical score?

3. The title - as a contrast to Wuthering Heights?

4. The use of locations, the houses, the countryside, the rugged scenery?

5. Catalina and her passion, relationship with Alejandro, with Edoardo and Isobel? With Maria? The background, her history? Her living style? The passion in her marriage? The love for her husband? Alejandro's return? The rekindling of the passion, going out to him? Ricardo and his place in the drama? Passion and clash? Edoardo's strong stance? Isobel's jealousy and love? Her pregnancy, collapse? Her hiding? The final reunion with Alejandro? Her death - and later appearance?

6. Alejandro as a man of passion and mystery? The past, the role of the servant in Mexican society? His relationship with Catalina and Ricardo? His being spurned, going away? His return, the passion, the relationship with Isobel and not loving her, brutality? The playing cards? The visit, the reconciliation, the death-bed? Her death and the grave?

7. Edoardo, more civilised in comparison with Alejandro? His collecting butterflies and pinning them for his collection? The symbolic relationship with Catalina? The marriage, her pregnancy? The memories of the past? His wanting to possess her, the jealousy, the clashes with Alejandro? Strong attitude towards Isobel? His world breaking apart? His violent response?

8. Isobel, her place in the household, relationship with Catalina, love for Alejandro, jealousy of Catalina? Her defying her brother, going off with Alejandro, his brutal treatment of her?

9. Ricardo, the brother, his place in the village and in the society? His drinking? The shooting?

10. The young boy, his relationship with Ricardo? His place in the drama?

11. The old man, the Scriptures?

12. Maria, as the maid, the faithful servant? The interactions with all the characters and the complexity of relating to all of them?

13. High Mexican melodrama - with the English origin?