The Holy Innocents (1984)

Spain, 1960s. People from a very poor family work in the country, at the service of a rich family of landowners...

Director:

Mario Camus

Writers:

Miguel Delibes (novel), Antonio Larreta (adaptation)

Stars:

Alfredo Landa, Terele Pávez, Belén Ballesteros

6 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alfredo Landa	...	Paco, El Bajo
Terele Pávez	...	Régula
Belén Ballesteros	...	Nieves
Juan Sachez	...	Quirce
Susana Sánchez	...	La Niña Chica
Francisco Rabal	...	Azarías
Ágata Lys	...	Doña Pura
Agustín González	...	Don Pedro
Juan Diego	...	Señorito Iván
Mary Carrillo	...	Señora Marquesa
José Guardiola	...	Señorito de la Jara
Manuel Zarzo	...	Don Manuel, el doctor
Francisco Torres	...	Facundo
Pepín Salvador	...	Obispo (as José Salvador)
José Manuel Sito	...	Señorito Lucas

Storyline

Somewhere in the spanish country, in the 60s. Paco and his wife Régula are very poor. They work as tenant farmers for a very wealthy landowner. They have 3 children. One is backward. The others can not got to school because the master "needs" their work. When Regula's brother is fired from where he has worked for 61 years, he settles down at their little place... An attack against the archaism of the spanish country of the 60s.

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Plot Keywords:

country mansion | hunting | murder | milano | servants | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie illustrates the extreme inequality and the relationship between landlords and peasants in rural Spain in the middle of XX century.

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Quotes

Azarías: [subtitled version]
[he runs to the house of the young master and knocks at the window; the people inside look at him; then he goes to the door]
Azarías: The kite is ill, young master.
Señorito de la Jara: It's old, Azarías. We must find a new chicken.
Azarías: But it's our kite, young master.
Señorito de la Jara: All birds are alike!
Azarías: Young master, can I get the magician from the town?
Señorito de la Jara: The magician? Azarías, you have expensive needs... if we have to find a magician, just for a bird.
[he closes the door in his face]
Azarías: [...]

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Connections

Spoofed in No lo llames amor... llámalo X (2011)

User Reviews

Awesome and splendid film full of emotion , love , drama and feeling of sorrow

This intelligent drama based on a Miguel Delibes' novel and screenplay by Antonio Larreta is perfectly acted by a strong cast and masterfully directed . It depicts a brooding study about rich and poor society , making a shattering accusation against the powerful class who cares on selfish occupations more than help families in distress . Somewhere in the Extremadura region ( Spain ) , in the 60s where still rules medieval traditions , archaism and feudalism . Paco ( Alfredo Landa) and his wife Régula (Terele Pavez) along with their tree sons - one of them is backward - form a very unfortunate family . They work as tenant farmers for wealthy baron land ( Agustin Gonzalez , Agata Lys ) of a ¨Cortijo¨ . The older sons can not go to school because the ¨Señorito¨ needs their employment as servants . When Regula's brother ( Francisco Rabal) is fired by another landowner ( Jose Guardiola ) where he has worked for several years , then he settles down along with the family and the events get worse .

This over-the-top movie contains a relentless criticism to high class and the human exploitation and an attack against the rural life during the Francisco Franco time of the 60s . It's a thought-provoking drama about sacrifice, familiar love and feeling with interesting character studio of a varied assortment of individuals . It's a brilliant and touching film though sometimes is slow moving and tiring but is developed with intelligence and sensibility. In the picture are treated ethic and moral themes narrated with great sense of fairness and ductility .T his top-notch movie featuring a magnificent acting by whole casting . Awesome Alfredo Landa as the servile Paco and his wife a sensational Terele Pavez . Enticing and sensational roles with first rate performances as the cocky Señorito Ivan exceptionally acted by Juan Diego , the marchioness Mary Carrillo and her daughter played by Maribel Martin also producer along with the early deceased Julian Mateos . Of course Francisco Rabal who steals the show as Azaria always shouting : ¨ Bonita Milano¨ . Both players , Francisco Rabal and Alfredo Landa , deservedly won Ex-aequo prize the best actors in Cannes Film Festival and Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention to filmmaker Mario Camus and the picture was Nominated Golden Palm .

Furthermore , ample shots on cloudy and nebulous skies and prairies plenty of trees filmed on location in Alburquerque, Zafra , Merida ,Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain with fine cinematography by Hans Burman . Atmospheric and evocative musical score by usual Anton Garcia Abril. This excellent motion picture is dedicated to makeup artist Julian Ruiz and stunningly directed by Mario Camus . Mario is an expert on interesting dramas as proved in ¨ The house of Bernard Alba¨ , ¨La Colmena¨ , ¨The days of the past ¨ and many others . Rating : Better than average , it's a riveting film though very depressing and downbeat . Essential and indispensable watching .

Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

4 April 1984 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Aprószentek

Filming Locations:

Alburquerque, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ganesh Producciones Cinematográficas, Televisión Española (TVE)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1