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IMDbPro

The Executioner

Original title: El verdugo
  • 19631963
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
6.7K
YOUR RATING
The Executioner (1963)
Watch ’Trailer [OV]’
Play trailer3:37
1 Video
55 Photos
  • Drama
  • Comedy
An undertaker marries an old executioner's daughter and must continue his father-in-law's profession after his retirement, although he doesn't like it.An undertaker marries an old executioner's daughter and must continue his father-in-law's profession after his retirement, although he doesn't like it.An undertaker marries an old executioner's daughter and must continue his father-in-law's profession after his retirement, although he doesn't like it.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
6.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Luis García Berlanga
  • Writers
    • Luis García Berlanga(story)
    • Rafael Azcona(story)
    • Ennio Flaiano(screenplay collaboration)
  • Stars
    • Nino Manfredi
    • Emma Penella
    • José Isbert
Top credits
  • Director
    • Luis García Berlanga
  • Writers
    • Luis García Berlanga(story)
    • Rafael Azcona(story)
    • Ennio Flaiano(screenplay collaboration)
  • Stars
    • Nino Manfredi
    • Emma Penella
    • José Isbert
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 3:37
    Trailer [OV]

    Photos55

    The Executioner (1963)
    Guido Alberti, Manuel Alexandre, Nino Manfredi, Enrique Pelayo, and Antonio Alfonso Vidal in The Executioner (1963)
    Guido Alberti, Manuel Alexandre, Nino Manfredi, Enrique Pelayo, José María Prada, and Antonio Alfonso Vidal in The Executioner (1963)
    Guido Alberti, Nino Manfredi, and José María Prada in The Executioner (1963)
    Nino Manfredi and Enrique Pelayo in The Executioner (1963)
    Antonio Ferrandis, Sergio Mendizábal, and José Orjas in The Executioner (1963)
    Nino Manfredi and Enrique Pelayo in The Executioner (1963)
    Nino Manfredi and Emma Penella in The Executioner (1963)
    Nino Manfredi and Emma Penella in The Executioner (1963)
    Nino Manfredi in The Executioner (1963)
    The Executioner (1963)
    Nino Manfredi in The Executioner (1963)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nino Manfredi
    Nino Manfredi
    • José Luis Rodríguez, el enterradoras José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador
    Emma Penella
    Emma Penella
    • Carmen, la hija de Amadeoas Carmen, la hija de Amadeo
    José Isbert
    José Isbert
    • Amadeo, el verdugoas Amadeo, el verdugo
    • (as Jose Isbert)
    José Luis López Vázquez
    José Luis López Vázquez
    • Antonio Rodríguez, el hermano mayor de José Luisas Antonio Rodríguez, el hermano mayor de José Luis
    • (as Jose Luis Lopez Vazquez)
    Ángel Álvarez
    Ángel Álvarez
    • Álvarez, el enterradoras Álvarez, el enterrador
    • (as Angel Alvarez)
    Guido Alberti
    • Director de la prisiónas Director de la prisión
    Julia Caba Alba
    Julia Caba Alba
    • Mujer visitante de la obra nº 2as Mujer visitante de la obra nº 2
    María Luisa Ponte
    María Luisa Ponte
    • Estefanía, esposa de Antonioas Estefanía, esposa de Antonio
    • (as Maria Luisa Ponte)
    María Isbert
    María Isbert
    • Ignacia, esposa de Álvarezas Ignacia, esposa de Álvarez
    • (as Maria Isbert)
    Erasmo Pascual
    Erasmo Pascual
    • San Martínas San Martín
    Xan das Bolas
    Xan das Bolas
    • Guarda de la obraas Guarda de la obra
    José Orjas
    José Orjas
    • Marquésas Marqués
    • (as Jose Orjas)
    José María Prada
    José María Prada
    • Vigilante con botella de champánas Vigilante con botella de champán
    • (as Jose Maria Prada)
    Félix Fernández
    Félix Fernández
    • Organistaas Organista
    • (as Felix Fernandez)
    Antonio Ferrandis
    Antonio Ferrandis
    • Funcionario de prisionesas Funcionario de prisiones
    Lola Gaos
    Lola Gaos
    • Mujer visitante de la obra nº 3as Mujer visitante de la obra nº 3
    • (as Dolores Gaos)
    Santiago Ontañón
    • Sr. Corcuera, el académicoas Sr. Corcuera, el académico
    • (as Santiago Ontañon)
    Alfredo Landa
    Alfredo Landa
    • Sacristánas Sacristán
    • Director
      • Luis García Berlanga
    • Writers
      • Luis García Berlanga(story) (screenplay)
      • Rafael Azcona(story) (screenplay)
      • Ennio Flaiano(screenplay collaboration)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      José Luis López Vázquez improvised the moment when measuring the child's head.
    • Quotes

      Chica en feria del libro: [subtitled version] Excuse me, do you have anything on Bergman or Antonioni?

      Sr. Corcuera, el académico: Bergman? The actress?

      Chica en feria del libro: No, not the actress. Thanks.

    • Connections
      Featured in Berlanga, plano personal (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      El verdugo
      (twist)

      Composed by Adolfo Waitzman

    User reviews22

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    This is both one of the funniest and one of the saddest movies I have ever seen
    It is often true that the best comedies are those which hide (or should I say show) terrible pathos and anguish beneath their comic skin. Billy Wilder, for example, has often been praised for his mastery of this art, in films such as The Apartment and The Fortune Cookie.

    So has Berlanga, who is undisputedly the gratest comedy writer/director in Spanish film history, and one of the best of Europe. And his masterpiece, El Verdugo, is such an awesome tour de force of his talents that it never ceases to amaze, even after repeated viewings.

    El Verdugo is a comedy, yet it is probably the most moving and powerful anti-death penalty story ever written. It achieves this by showing the act of killing a person as what it is, such an unnatural and repulsive thing that for most of us it would be impossible to perform. And, as an executioner, that is exactly the role that Jose Luis (Nino Manfredi) sees himself thrown into. The situation is seen by Berlanga not only as dramatic, but also absurd, and all of Jose's antics and ploys to avoid ever having to do his job are also so absurd that they are comical, and very much so. But the viewer also simpathizes with him because we instantly understand the horror of his situation, the dreadful Damocles' sword that hangs over his head. Both the comedy and the drama go hand in hand right until the devastating ending of the film, one of the most memorable and tragic scenes ever comitted to celluloid.

    Giving it a 10 out of 10 still seems short to me. PLEASE see this film if you can, you will never forget it.
    helpful•33
    8
    • el_monty_BCN
    • Nov 8, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 13, 1964 (Italy)
    • Countries of origin
      • Spain
      • Italy
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Dzelat
    • Filming locations
      • Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Naga Films
      • Zebra Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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