2009 02 19 - NZ - North Island

2009 02 19 - El Verdugo (The Executioner)

El Verdugo (The Executioner)

1963 90mins Format In Spanish with English subtitles Rating TBA Directed by: Luis García Berlanga
José Luis, an employee in a funeral parlour hopes to go to Germany and become a good mechanic. Through his job, he meets Carmen, the daughter of Amadeo, an old executioner who is just about to retire. They fall in love and marry. The Housing Board offers Amadeo a new, modern flat, owing to his profession, which is the dream-come-true of the newly-weds and which offers a peaceful retirement to the old man. The concession of the building however, is conditioned to the employment of executioner and so, Amadeo must try to convince José Luis to succeed him and thus keep the house…..

Awards: Venice Festival: FRIPRESCI 1963, Cinema Writers Circle Spain 1963: Best Screenplay, French Film Academy 1965: Black Humour Great Prize.
Festivals: London 1963, etc.