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 (as Maria Luisa Ponte)
María Isbert	...	Ignacia (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

Woman in the book fair: [subtitled version] Have you got something about Bergman or Antonioni...?
Sr. Corcuera, el académico: Bergman... Bergman?
Woman in the book fair: Yes.
Sr. Corcuera, el académico: The actress...?
Woman in the book fair: No, no, it's not the actress...

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Connections

References Ben-Hur (1959)

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Soundtracks

El verdugo
(twist)
Composed by Adolfo Waitzman

User Reviews

An original and brilliant movie

Here we have a tragicomedy about executions released in 1963, when executions and censorship did still exist in Spain. How did they do it...? I only can say... using their imagination. It has a really brilliant story, and a screenplay that combines in a so wise way the comic and dramatic/tragic aspects of the story. Also, the actors know at every moment what to do. As a result we find a really funny film, a really sad film... and a perfect recreation of the reaction of common people to a hard and dangerous epoque. A masterpiece in my opinion.