The House of the Spirits (1993)

A rancher, his clairvoyant wife and their family face turbulent years in South America in this adaptation of Isabel Allende's best-seller.

Director:

Bille August

Writers:

Isabel Allende (novel), Bille August

Stars:

Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep, Winona Ryder

12 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Meryl Streep	...	Clara
Jeremy Irons	...	Esteban Trueba
Winona Ryder	...	Blanca
Antonio Banderas	...	Pedro
Maria Conchita Alonso	...	Tránsito
Vincent Gallo	...	Esteban Garcia
Joaquín Martínez	...	Segundo (as Joaquin Martinez)
Sarita Choudhury	...	Pancha
Glenn Close	...	Ferula
Miriam Colon	...	Nana
António Assunção	...	Man at Cattlemarket (as António Assumpção)
Julie Balloo	...	Young Lady
Frank Baker	...	Intelligence Officer
João Cabral	...	Soldier
Carlos César	...	Ambassador's Driver

Storyline

Chile, second half of the 20th century. The poor Esteban marries Clara and they get a daughter, Blanca. Esteban works hard and eventually gets money to buy a hacienda, eventually to become a local patriarch. He becomes very conservative and is feared by his workers. When Blanca grows up, she falls in love with a young revolutionary, Pedro, who urges the workers to fight for socialism. It is unavoidable that Pedro and Esteban are pitted against each other. Esteban tries to stop the love affair between Pedro and his daughter by all means possible but soon Blanca becomes pregnant and has a daughter. The void between father and daughter seems unbridgeable when Blanca moves in with Pedro.

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Plot Keywords:

patriarch | chilean coup d'etat | oppression | family saga | class conflict | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, and for violence

Details

Country:

Portugal Germany Denmark USA France

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

1 April 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

La casa de los espíritus

Filming Locations:

Cabo Espichel, Portugal

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$6,265,311

Company Credits

Production Co:

Constantin Film, Costa do Castelo Filmes, Det Danske Filminstitut

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After numerous unpleasant meetings with filmmakers, Isabel Allende had instructed her agent to stop all discussion about making a film of her novel. It wasn't until Bille August screened his Pele the Conqueror for her that she changed her mind. An hour into that screening, she knew that he was the right director.

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Goofs

There is a sequence that occurs at Christmas. There is snow on the ground and the characters are dressed for winter. Winter occurs from June to August (approximately) in the countries south from the Equator, like Chile. (Much of the movie was filmed in Denmark.)

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Quotes

[first lines]
Esteban Trueba: It's good to be back.

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Alternate Versions

In France, the opening sequence of the movie is really different than in other countries. The movie is approx. 10 minutes shorter that the other versions

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Connections

Referenced in Biography: Winona Ryder (2008)

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Soundtracks

La Paloma
Written by Sebastián Yradier (as Sebastian De Yradier)/Michael Jary
Performed by Rosita Serrano
Published by Edition Cinema
Courtesy of Eastwest Records GmbH

User Reviews

epic romantic saga

this film has spirit, hope and courage. a love story spanning three generations, dealing with mystic experiences, cruel ambition and selfless devotion. wonderfully moving performances by entire cast. irons plays a powerful fool who's lost his humanity, but not his desire to love. streep is wonderful as a woman who is a bridge between life and spirit. close is moving as a woman who denied her own desires tending first her mother, then her brother. rider blossoms with courage and passion for banderas who is fine as revolutionist. do not attempt to watch this film--feel it, experience it, open your heart to it's romantic and passionate tale. allow it charm you and take you back to timeless story telling of hope and disappointment and cruel injustice and forgiveness. it's clear that this piece is a collective gift of love from all involved to all whom are willing to be transported to romance, to spiritual connections, to love strong enough to reach beyond death.