Bugles of Fear (1958)

Filigranas and Aceituno are two bullfighters hired for an amateur bullfight in a little town of Castile. Filigranas is a young man with enthusiasm and a huge desire to succeed; Aceituno, ... See full summary »

Director:

Antonio Román

Writers:

Antonio Vich (screenplay), Ángel María de Lera (screenplay) (as Ángel Mª de Lera)

Stars:

Francisco Rabal, Rogelio Madrid, Silvia Solar

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Francisco Rabal	...	Aceituno
Rogelio Madrid	...	Filigranas
Silvia Solar	...	Fina
Miguel Ángel	...	Acisclo
Mario Morales	...	Maxi
Ángel Ortiz	...	El Raposo
José Marco Davó	...	Don Ramón
Manuel Luna	...	Sr. Antares
José María Labernié	...	Juanito (as José Mª Labernié)
Rosita Valero	...	Antonia
Luis Roses	...	Juan
Francisco Bernal	...	Secretario
Manuel Braña
Ángel Álvarez	...	Músico
Félix Briones	...	El Quebrao

Storyline

Filigranas and Aceituno are two bullfighters hired for an amateur bullfight in a little town of Castile. Filigranas is a young man with enthusiasm and a huge desire to succeed; Aceituno, oldest, is disenchanted with the fiesta since he is afraid of bulls. Walking through the village, they meet Fina, an attractive young woman, and Filigranas promises that he will dedicate her a bull if she attends the bullfight.

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Plot Keywords:

bullfight | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

To the unsung heroes of the Fiesta. No one remembers them because they did not achieve their hopes and dreams of glory. Many of them, however, left their lives in those bull rings of the towns of Spain, and all their youth ...

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Connections

Featured in Under Taurus and Orion (2014)

User Reviews

An unknown film that must be rediscovered

This is not the typical enchanted look to bullfights, which is one of the most distinctive identification signs for the Spanish culture. This film provides a more darker and insightful look to the fiesta and demolishes almost all the stereotypes surrounding it.

Here the main characters (the two "toreros") are presented with their illusions and respect towards bullfights, but also with fear, making them humans and not simply bravura heroes.

In the same way, the people who attend the spectacle (represented by that pintoresque villagers in an incredibly naturalistic way) are not presented just as simple spectators, but as a fierce audience willing to enjoy the fiesta even if there's blood in the "ruedo".

So, bullfighting is not only shown as a form of macho bravery, art or vane entertainment, but also in a more realistic way. This surprises us today bearing in mind the time when the film was shown, in which all Spanish signs of identity had to be glorified in order to please the Dictatorship.

"Los clarines del miedo" should be rediscovered and praised as one of the most significant Spanish films concerning its traditions.

Details

Country:

Spain Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bugles of Fear

Filming Locations:

Torrelaguna, Madrid, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Procusa, PCU, Producciones Barbachano Ponce

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)