National Mechanics (1972)
"Mecánica nacional" (original title)

A mechanic takes his family to a car race and a series of events occur which brings problems, betrayals, violence and the unexpected death of an elderly person.

Director:

Luis Alcoriza

Writer:

Luis Alcoriza

Stars:

Manuel Fábregas, Lucha Villa, Héctor Suárez

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Manuel Fábregas	...	Eufemio
Lucha Villa	...	Isabel
Héctor Suárez	...	Gregorio
Sara García	...	Doña Lolita
Alma Muriel	...	Rosarito
Pancho Córdova	...	Güero Corrales
Aurora Clavel	...	Sábanas wife
Alejandro Ciangherotti	...	Lalo
Fabián Aranza	...	El Apache (as Fabian)
Fernando Casanova	...	Rogelio
Pilar Bayona	...	Blond girl in white
Carlos Piñar	...	Blond guy in white
Gloria Marín	...	Dora
Maritza Olivares	...	Paulina
Fabiola Falcón	...	Laila

Storyline

Love, food, sex and death mix together in an explosive cocktail when a mechanic (Fábregas) takes his family (old granny Sara García included) to attend a car race. The innocent picnic becomes a feast, but then the old granny dies.

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Plot Keywords:

picnic | automobile | black comedy

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

28 December 1972 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

National Mechanics

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producciones Escorpión

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

User Reviews

Mexican humour at its best.

This is a low cost movie (most Mexican movies were low cost on the 60s and 70s, the decline of the industry was very marked) that deals with an imagined situation that has been proposed in literature elsewhere.

A group of people get trapped in a huge traffic jam in their way to assist a motor sports event, the movie follows their adventures, including the death of one of the protagonists that brings out very witty moments of black humour with a very Mexican flavour.

The cast includes some of the most beloved Mexican film stars, some starting, some ending their carriers back then, which should make it interesting for any fans of Mexican cinema.