The Last Supper (1976)
"La última cena" (original title)

A pious plantation owner attempts to teach Christianity to 12 of his slaves by inviting them to participate in a reenactment of the Last Supper.

Director:

Tomás Gutiérrez Alea

Writers:

Constante Diego (dialogue), Moreno Fraginals (novel),

Stars:

Nelson Villagra, Silvano Rey, Luis Alberto García

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nelson Villagra
Silvano Rey
Luis Alberto García
José Antonio Rodríguez
Samuel Claxton
Mario Balmaseda
Idelfonso Tamayo
Julio Hernandez
Tito Junco
Andrés Cortina
Mirta Ibarra
Manuel Puig
Elio Mesa
Francisco Borroto
Luis Salvador Romero

Storyline

During Holy Week at the end of the eighteenth century, a count visits his Havana sugar mill on a day a slave has run away. The count tells his cruel overseer, Don Manuel, to pick 12 slaves who will be guests at the count's table. Don Manuel objects, but to no avail. The twelfth guest is the recaptured runaway. During the dinner, using religious analogies, the count lectures his guests on the perfect happiness possible in slavery. They in turn tell stories and make requests. He promises no work on Good Friday, but he leaves early that morning and Don Manuel rousts the slaves for a long day cutting cane. They rebel. Which side will the count take?

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Plot Keywords:

plantation | christianity | slavery | landlord | cuba | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Cuba

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

3 November 1977 (Cuba)

Also Known As:

The Last Supper

Company Credits

Production Co:

Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industrias Cinematográficos (ICAIC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References Viridiana (1961)

User Reviews

Totally Believable

Kenneth,

As a Cuban of African descent, this film IS believable. Just because the Anglos in this country acted ONE WAY, did not mean that Spaniards in another country couldn't possibly act ANOTHER WAY. Open your mind to other people's history. Just because Cuban history isn't comparable to U.S. History does it mean that it is not correct or believable. The world doesn't start and end with U.S. opinions. You exude that typical arrogance ascribed to "Americans"... like it was all about you. It is quite believable given our history as Africans in Latino America whether you choose to acknowledge it or not.