Those longhaired silent film fans scattered around the world and fortunately beyond the thick Shloss walls, who usually read with scarce interest this German count's silent reviews, hardly know his sufferings over Spanish silent cinema. Very often they're needing technical improvements and less trite and foreseeable plots.

That's what exactly happens in "Castigo De Dios", directed by Herr Hipólito Negre. The film tells the story of a town ruler with an obscure past, who uses his power without mercy. For example, he jails his maid's son because he is in love with a girl who also loves his son.

So, we have again one of those strong dramas with the necessary and typical ingredients (an unscrupulous local ruler, unrequited loves, revenge and, natürlich!!... a conciliatory priest ) for the kind of thing that was in fashion in that European country during the 20's and that the audiences loved so much.

Regarding this film, this German count must show his hand honestly. For example, the credit title does qualify the film as a "rural drama" and the majority of the people involved in the film were amateurs. It was the only directing attempt by Herr Negre. However, in spite of these lackings, the film has interesting moments. Some of the best are those passed in the mountains when one of the main characters of the film became a fugitive. There is some interesting and impoverish scenery. It has decent technical filming that includes flashbacks and superimpositions, not to mention that the two most important ladies in the film have a splendid zaftig figure quite up to the standard of this German count's heiress. The unpretentious aims of the film accents its more successful achievements.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must act as an unscrupulous but Teutonic town ruler.

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