Behold a Pale Horse (1964)

Manuel Artiguez, a famous bandit during the Spanish civil war, has lived in French exile for 20 years. When his mother is dying he considers visiting her secretly in his Spanish home town. ... See full summary »

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Writers:

Emeric Pressburger (novel), J.P. Miller (screenplay)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gregory Peck	...	Manuel Artiguez
Anthony Quinn	...	Viñolas
Omar Sharif	...	Francisco
Raymond Pellegrin	...	Carlos
Paolo Stoppa	...	Pedro
Mildred Dunnock	...	Pilar
Daniela Rocca	...	Rosana, Mistress of Vinolas
Christian Marquand	...	Zaganar
Marietto	...	Paco Dages (as Marietto Angeletti)
Perrette Pradier	...	Maria, Hussy (as Perette Pradier)
Zia Mohyeddin	...	Luis, Guide of Paco
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Teresa, Wife of Vinolas
Molly Urquhart	...	Hospital Nurse
Jean-Paul Moulinot	...	Father Esteban
Laurence Badie	...	Celestina

Storyline

Manuel Artiguez, a famous bandit during the Spanish civil war, has lived in French exile for 20 years. When his mother is dying he considers visiting her secretly in his Spanish home town. But his biggest enemy, the Spanish police officer Vinolas, prepared a trap at the hospital as a chance to finally catch Artiguez.

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Plot Keywords:

bandit | police | trap | exile | spanish civil war | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1964 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Deine Zeit ist um

Filming Locations:

Franstudio, Saint-Maurice, Val-de-Marne, France

Box Office

Budget:

$3,900,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Highland-Brentwood Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie was banned in Spain, which was still ruled by Generalissimo Francisco Franco, the fascist victor of the Spanish Civil War.

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Goofs

In the first 5 minutes of the movie it is supposed to be 1939 and the Loyalist (Republican) soldiers are crossing into exile on the French border. As they cross over they are turning in their guns and the first one to turn in his gun turns in a Russian PPSh-41 submachine gun. The PPSh-41 was not developed until 1941.

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Quotes

Francisco: [regarding which faction killed his father] What difference does it make? Did either side have a right to take his life?

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits - the first card shown contains the passage from Revelations 6:8, which contains the phrase "Behold a Pale Horse", the title of the film.

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Connections

Features Mourir à Madrid (1963)

User Reviews

An excellent movie

I watched this movie, and like most of the people have already expressed it, must say that this is truly a classic. The acting crew is excellent with Peck, Shariff and Quinn giving some very intense performances. But the surprise package is the boy who crosses over to the French part where he goes in search of Manueal to ask him to avenge his father's death at the hands of Vinollas. I often read comments that Peck is stuff or wooden on occasions, but I find him one of the most intense actors because of his ability to convey through his eyes. Like most actors, he is gifted of conveying a lot more through his eyes than his body might suggest. He conveys the frailing Manuel artigez here very well. We know that Manuel is tired and wary of the struggle he has pursued so passionately. Full credit to Peck for portraying that very effectively. Omar Shariff is also brilliant as the confused priest. Quinn is natural and we feel a certain angst against him, I do not know why. The end is excellent which again, conveys the human side of Manuel very well. All in all, an excellent movie worth watching on a calm Sunday afternoon.