The Executioner (1963)

An undertaker marries an old executioner's daughter and, although he doesn't like it, must continue the profession of his father-in-law after his retirement.

Director:

Luis García Berlanga (as Luis Gª. Berlanga)

Writers:

Luis García Berlanga (story) (as Luis Gª Berlanga), Rafael Azcona (story)

Stars:

Nino Manfredi, Emma Penella, José Isbert

4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nino Manfredi	...	José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador
Emma Penella	...	Carmen, la hija de Amadeo
José Isbert	...	Amadeo, el verdugo (as Jose Isbert)
José Luis López Vázquez	...	Antonio Rodríguez, el hermano mayor de José Luis (as Jose Luis Lopez Vazquez)
Ángel Álvarez	...	Álvarez, el enterrador (as Angel Alvarez)
Guido Alberti	...	Director de la prisión
Julia Caba Alba	...	Mujer visitante de la obra nº 2
María Luisa Ponte	...	Estefanía, esposa de Antonio (as Maria Luisa Ponte)
María Isbert	...	Ignacia, esposa de Álvarez (as Maria Isbert)
Erasmo Pascual	...	San Martín
Xan das Bolas	...	Guarda de la obra
José Orjas	...	Marqués (as Jose Orjas)
José María Prada	...	Vigilante con botella de champán (as Jose Maria Prada)
Félix Fernández	...	Organista (as Felix Fernandez)
Antonio Ferrandis	...	Funcionario de prisiones

Storyline

The history starts with the main character (an old executioner in the Spain of early 60's) approaching retirement age. As his profession is not exactly what you could call "popular", he (a very gentle and nice man, caring, and proud of traditions) begins to worry about who might take his place when he retires. He has a daughter, but, unfortunately, she seems doomed to perpetual "spinsterhood": as soon as any prospective groom learns about her dad and her dad's "trade", he runs away from her, scared. A sad life... However, a new character enters: the local undertaker, a handsome and young man who has exactly the same problem... No girl wants him given his profession. So, you have the woman whom almost nobody would marry and the man whom almost nobody would marry. Obviously, they are meant for each other. But here the old executioner has something to say: He does not object to her daughter marrying the young undertaker; he seems a decent man, and all that... But there is a condition: ...

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Plot Keywords:

executioner | undertaker | spain | retirement | death | 

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Spain Italy

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

13 March 1964 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Executioner

Filming Locations:

Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Naga Films, Zebra Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 42151 delivered on 24-1-1964.

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Quotes

José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador: [subtitled version]
[Carmen goes to the funeral home to meet José Luis]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador: Couldn't you wait at home? I'm working! I have to get this running.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo: [she gives him a written paper] Here.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador: Is it yes or no?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo: Yes.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador: "Positive reaction."
[a brass band that's been hired for the next funeral starts playing a funny tune]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador: So it's for sure? Maybe they're wrong. Last year they said I had typhus when it was chicken pox.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo: Don't worry. We'll do whatever you want.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in El rey del mambo (1989)

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Soundtracks

El verdugo
(twist)
Composed by Adolfo Waitzman

User Reviews

Gallows Humour

This is a real treat, a keenly observed, merry black comedy of life for a mild-mannered undertaker turned unwilling hangman. Every scene is filled with small observations and asides that add something memorable, and every bit character in every scene tosses in some little bit of "business" that is not necessary for the plot, but enriches it and deepens the believability of the world in which it is set.

Watching this made me think on how, if this film had been made at the same time outside of Europe, the British would have probably made it as a crass Carry On movie, and the Americans would most likely have turned it into a Jerry Lewis vehicle, without any subtlety, thoughtfulness, sensuality, societal commentary or beauty, and yet this is funnier than any of those put together, too.

The wedding scene is hilarious, with so much going on at every moment outside of the dialogue, and the "wave to daddy" line on the docks is priceless.

It's always a comedy, and yet one in which the viewer is never allowed to escape the oppressive moral weight of taking another's life, and the inability to look away from this increases as it goes along, until the ending borders on harrowing.

It's a film that really should be as well known as some of those by Fellini, and I'm eager now to see more by its mischevious writer and director, Luis Garcia Berlanga.