National Heritage (1981)
"Patrimonio nacional" (original title)

Director:

Luis García Berlanga

Writers:

Luis García Berlanga, Rafael Azcona

Stars:

Luis Ciges, Luis Escobar, Agustín González

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luis Ciges	...	Segundo
Luis Escobar	...	Marqués de Leguineche
Agustín González	...	Padre Calvo
José Luis López Vázquez	...	Luis José
Alfredo Mayo	...	Nacho
José Lifante	...	Goyo (as José Ruiz Lifante)
Mary Santpere	...	Condesa
Amparo Soler Leal	...	Chus
Syliane Stella	...	Solange
José Luis de Vilallonga	...	Álvaro
José Luis Alonso
Patricio Arnáiz	...	(as Patricio Arnaiz)
Pedro Beltrán	...	(as Pedro Beltran)
Julio Castronuovo
Jaime Chávarri	...	(as Jaime Chavarri)

Storyline

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Taglines:

La monarquía ha vuelto. Los Leguineche, también.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

26 March 1981 (Spain)

Also Known As:

National Heritage

Filming Locations:

Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Box Office

Gross:

ESP 200,484,728 (Spain)

Company Credits

Production Co:

In-Cine Compañía Industrial Cinematográfica, Jet Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by National III (1982)

User Reviews

An attack on aristocracy

This is Luis García Berlanga's second take on the Leguineches, a down and out aristocratic family who settle in their palatial home in the middle of Madrid and try to feign relevance. As the leit-motiv in most of Berlanga's films (people pretending to be something they're not), it marginally works. No matter how indebted the Count of Leguineche is, he nonetheless goes on to use his connections to get loans and re-establish himself in newly-democratic Spain.

Sure, the gags are all about how they simply ignore reality (and covet royalty's attention).

A first-rate cast saves the film from absolute tedium, that including the marvelous Mary Santpere and Luis Escobar as the unflappable marquises, and José Luis López Vázquez. Luis Ciges as the ever-loyal servant and Agustín González as the venal family priest provide a comfortable yet predictable performance.

The story in itself is spiral-like and, like the Leguineches, really looks good but goes nowhere.

If you like character-driven cinema soft on plot and big on redundant gags that lampoon aristocracy, this one is for you.