Beltenebros (1991)

Madrid, 1962. More than twenty years after the civil war has finished, a communist comes back to Spain to kill a traitor.

Director:

Pilar Miró

Writers:

Mario Camus, Pilar Miró,

Stars:

Terence Stamp, Patsy Kensit, José Luis Gómez

6 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Terence Stamp	...	Darman
Patsy Kensit	...	Rebeca
José Luis Gómez	...	Ugarte / Valdivia
Geraldine James	...	Rebeca Osorio
Simón Andreu	...	Andrade
Aleksander Bardini	...	Bernal (as Aleksander Bardin)
John McEnery	...	Walter
Jorge de Juan	...	Luque
Pedro Díez del Corral	...	Policeman
Carlos Hipólito	...	Boite Owner
Francisco Casares	...	Train Steward
Queta Claver	...	Dancer Boite
Felipe Vélez	...	Policeman
William Job	...	Howard
Magdalena Wójcik	...	Polish Tango Dancer

Storyline

Madrid, 1962. More than twenty years after the civil war has finished, a communist comes back to Spain to kill a traitor.

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Plot Keywords:

traitor | communist | spain | doubt | abandoned theater | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Spain Netherlands

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

13 December 1991 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Prince of Shadows

Filming Locations:

Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Iberoamericana Films Producción

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

User Reviews

Spanish thriller about a retired agent who returns Spain to carry out a deadly assignment against a traitor

Ambitious thriller with acceptable atmosphere and nice production , though falls flat and is regularly developed . Based on a known novel written by Antonio Muñoz Molina , being adapted by also director Mario Camus . Madrid , 1962 , more than twenty years after the civil war has finished , a retired communist agent and ex-captain nicknamed Darman (Terence Stamp) is living in Carborough , England . He is sent to Polonia , there receives instructions and comes back to Spain . He is assigned to pull off a dangerous mission to kill a ¨topo¨ or infiltrated in the underground Communist Party ; he is named Andrade (Simon Andreu) , a traitor who informs about communists , being subsequently executed . In the process, he goes to ¨Tabu Boute¨ where meets a pretty girl (Patsy Kensit) who he believes could help her but this only further complicates issues . Meanwhile , a Police inspector named Valdivia (Jose Luis Gomez) is investigating the killings .

Thrilling film about Noir cinema with suspense , plot twists but slowing paced and ultimately turns out to be boring . The story fails when deals with historical-politician deeds , including a flawed screenplay and a confuse and embarrassing finale . Furthermore , a badly developed love story among both protagonists Stamp and Kensit . Casting is frankly excellent , with plenty of good English actors as Terence Stamp , Geraldine Jones , John McEnery as well as Spanish players : Simon Andreu , Pedro Diaz Corral , Carlos Hipolito , Francisco Casares and Jose Luis Gomez in a double role . Gorgeous Patsy Kensit acting as a femme fatale who plays an erotic show number , a Gilda-alike , with nudism included . Fine production design and scenarios with appropriate sets . Colorful cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe who subsequently would make a prestigious career in Hollywood . Stirring and suspenseful musical score composed and conducted by Jose Nieto .

The motion picture is middlingly directed by Pilar Miro . In 1982 Pilar was designated General Director of Cinema . She was an expert filmmaker of Television chapters and occasionally for cinema , getting some successes such as ¨The dog in the manger or El Perro del Hortelano¨, ¨The bird of happiness¨ , ¨Werther¨ and especially ¨The Cuenca crime¨ . ¨Beltreneros¨ resulted to be a flop and failed at the box office , in spite of an international cast , spectacular set production and enjoyable atmosphere . Rating : Average .