The Milky Way movie storyline. Two vagabonds Jean (Laurent Terzieff) and Pierre (Paul Frankeur) are hitching a ride from Paris to Spain as a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostels to pray over the remains of Saint James. As the two travel by whatever methods they can get and depending on the locals for food, they seem to shift their existence in time, flashing back to biblical times, medieval times, and renaissance times to scenes confronting and examining theological texts and arguments surrounding heresy.
Along the way Jean and Pierre meet up with Jesus (Bernard Verley) showing off his abilities, and the Marquis de Sade (Michel Piccoli) begins a new relationship with a young girl in chains, and also Satan (Pierre Clementi) who appears during a car crash to establish some interesting points about religion. In the end our two beggars realize some interesting new ideas about the world they inhabit.
The Milky Way (French: La Voie Lactée) is a 1969 surrealist film directed by Luis Buñuel. It stars Laurent Terzieff, Paul Frankeur, Delphine Seyrig, Georges Marchal and Michel Piccoli. Buñuel later called The Milky Way the first in a trilogy (along with The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and The Phantom of Liberty) about “the search for truth.”
The title of the film is taken from a popular name used for the Way of St. James, a route often traveled by religious pilgrims that stretched from northern Europe to the Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This is where the remains of St. James were reputed to be buried. The film follows the picaresque journey of two vagabond travelers, who seem to be making the pilgrimage as a means of escape. Along the way, they witness a series of bizarre incidents that involve persons named in documented heresies in church history. At key moments they encounter Jesus and the Virgin Mary, as well as modern believers and fanatics.
The plot is non-linear and functions as a highly symbolic travelogue across time and space, set over the last two thousand years. It encompasses much of Christian history. While using satire to critique religion from a skeptical perspective, it also explores the act of spiritual quest and search for meaning. The highly idiosyncratic film originally met with limited success. In the 21st century, it is very well-regarded amongst film enthusiasts and critics.
The Milky Way (1969)
Directed by: Luis Buñuel
Starring: Paul Frankeur, Laurent Terzieff, Alain Cuny, Édith Scob, Bernard Verley, François Maistre, Claude Cerval, Pierre Clémenti, Julien Bertheau, Michel Piccoli, Georges Marchal
Screenplay by: Christian Matras
Production Design by: Pierre Guffroy
Cinematography by: Christian Matras
Film Editing by: Louisette Hautecoeur
Costume Design by: Jacqueline Guyot
Makeup Department: Jacqueline Pipard, Jean Pipard
Music by: Luis Buñuel
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Compagnie Commerciale Française Cinématographique (CCFC) (France)
Release Date: February 28, 1969 (Italy), March 15, 1969 (France)
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