Goya's Ghosts (2006)

Painter Francisco Goya faces a scandal involving his muse, who is labeled a heretic by a monk.

Director:

Milos Forman

Writers:

Milos Forman, Jean-Claude Carrière

Stars:

Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgård

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Javier Bardem	...	Lorenzo
Natalie Portman	...	Inés / Alicia
Stellan Skarsgård	...	Francisco Goya
Randy Quaid	...	King Carlos IV
José Luis Gómez	...	Tomás Bilbatúa
Michael Lonsdale	...	Inquisitor General
Blanca Portillo	...	Queen María Luisa
Mabel Rivera	...	María Isabel Bilbatúa
Unax Ugalde	...	Ángel Bilbatúa
Fernando Tielve	...	Álvaro Bilbatúa
David Calder	...	Monk 1
Frank Baker	...	Monk 2
Ramón Langa	...	Hooded Monk
Manuel de Blas	...	Pyre Monk
Andrés Lima	...	Confiscating Monk

Storyline

The painter Goya becomes involved with the Spanish Inquisition when his muse, Ines, is arrested by the church for heresy. Her father, Thomas, comes to him hoping that his connection with Brother Lorenzo, whom he is painting, can secure the release of his daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

christianity | female nudity | spanish history | period drama | movie flop | 

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Taglines:

Tell me what the truth is

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, disturbing images, some sexual content and nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The tan and brown print satin pelisse worn by an extra during the French invasion is the same costume worn by Anna Chancellor (Mrs. Peake) when she comes to the Worrall's house in Princess Caraboo (1994), by Sheila Gish (Mrs. Norris) to Maria's wedding in Mansfield Park (1999), and by an extra in the first church scene in Miss Austen Regrets (2007).

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Goofs

When Ines is kneeling in Lorenzo's office, the mic is visible at the top of the screen, above and to the left of her head.

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Quotes

Tomás Bilbatúa: Forgive me, Father Lorenzo, but um, have you ever been put to the... to the Question, yourself?
Brother Lorenzo: Have I ever been?
Tomás Bilbatúa: Yes. Have you ever been subjected to the Question?
Brother Lorenzo: Of course not.
Tomás Bilbatúa: Do you think that if you were, and they asked you to confess something grotesquely absurd... say... say you were told to confess that you're really a monkey.
[laughter around the table]
Tomás Bilbatúa: You're sure that god would grant you the fortitude to deny it? Or would you rather confess to being a monkey? To avoid the pain.
Goya: I know I ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Tvoje tvár má známý hlas: Episode #2.7 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Ole Andaluz
Traditional
Performed by Grupo de Francisco de Goya
Directed by Jose Fidel Acosta

User Reviews

Don't believe the critics - See This Film!!!

There is one great flaw here that almost everyone mentions... and it's true. The accents of the non-Spanish actors clash terribly with the Spanish ones, as well as with each other. That's a real flaw, but if you can get past that, there's a great film waiting to be seen. I found I forgot all about it after the first 10 minutes. The critics just don't get this film. A lot of regular people seem to miss it too. They want a film with a typical "leading" role. They want their morality tales (which this certainly IS) delivered in easy shades of Black and White... no gray. They don't understand films where the title character is primarily an Observer. Sometimes that CAN be dissatisfying, but here the Observer is a genuine genius. Some people want him to be a moral giant, but he's not, he's simply an observer who has actualized the doctor's oath: First, do no harm. This is a brilliant story, and a morally complex one, too. There are some parallels to America in Iraq, though that is not the primary goal. This story illuminates the folly of any regime, liberal or conservative, as each picks its friends and foes, taking 180 degree turns from whoever was last in power. Javier Bardem gives an incredibly canny performance! Natalie Portman is totally unsentimental and totally committed to her multiple roles: just great! Stellan Skarsgard threw me off at first with the sound of his voice, but builds a performance of power and truth, in spite of it. Randy Quaid was a small revelation. And of course the film looks and sounds spectacular, with it's numerous and detailed textures, compositions and sounds. If you want to think; if you like having pat assumptions challenged; if you love people and history and art: see it!

Details

Country:

USA Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 2006 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Goya et ses fantômes

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$159,671, 22 July 2007

Gross USA:

$1,000,626

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,448,082

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Saul Zaentz Company, Kanzaman, Antena 3 Televisión

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1