La cabina (1972)

A man gets trapped inside a telephone box and nobody is able to free him.

Director:

Antonio Mercero

Writers:

Antonio Mercero (story), José Luis Garci (screenplay)

Stars:

José Luis López Vázquez, Agustín González, Goyo Lebrero

5 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
José Luis López Vázquez	...	Hombre de la cabina
Agustín González	...	Hombre segunda cabina
Goyo Lebrero	...	Jefe de bomberos
Tito García	...	Señor corpulento
Carmen Martínez Sierra	...	Señora 1ª
Carmen Luján	...	Señora 2º
María Vico
Felipe Martín Puertas	...	Trabajador 1 (as Felipe Martín Puerta)
José Montijano	...	Trabajador 2
Blaki	...	Guardia
Mariano Bardera	...	(as Mariano Barderas)
Antonio Moreno	...	Cristalero
José Miguel Aguado	...	Kid
José Manuel Hoyos	...	Kid

Storyline

A man gets trapped inside a telephone box. Onlookers unsuccessfully try to free him. Then the men from the telephone company arrive, but relief turns into puzzlement, then horror, as it transpires what they have in store for him.

---

Plot Keywords:

trapped | telephone box | trapped in a phone booth | parable | twisted version of current world | 

---

Genres:

Short | Drama | Horror

---

Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

13 December 1972 (Spain)

Also Known As:

A telefonfülke

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Televisión Española (TVE)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

35 min

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Last Circus (2010)

User Reviews

La Cabina - a film not easily forgotten

Like so many of the other reviewers, I saw this film in the early eighties on BBC2 and have never managed to see it since. It's one of those films you see in your childhood and then later in life, wonder if you'd dreamt it. I'm glad to find I hadn't and that I'm one of a select band who remember that BBC2 showing!

It's a film you'd never forget once seen. Particularly the ending, which would disturb anyone, but especially an impressionable youngster. It's in that "surreal reality" style that Spanish filmmakers seem to do best and has continued since(eg 'Abre los ojos').

Although the first 45 minutes of the film portray what - to a degree - could be seen as "normality" (ie a man getting stuck in a phone box and the attempts to release him), I remember as a child a strange feel of unease throughout, even though I didn't know the ending. Maybe it's just my claustrophobia, but I think Antonio Mercero managed to maintain the ideal mix of "normality" and "strangeness" to keep you transfixed.

Quite why it's not been shown again on terrestrial in the UK is a mystery. Yes, it's disturbing, but so are a lot of films shown today. It's also a film of quality and one that I'd recommend to anyone who wants something different and something that will leave a lasting impression. Clearly from the points made by others this film does!