In the fall of 1824 Javier Montenegro, Bradomin Marquis is spared death hanging by Captain Casares, and in return, the Marquis agrees to help him escape to America. Adaptation of "Sonata de Otoño" and "Sonata de Estío" of Ramón María del Valle-Inclan, which included elements Bardem later works of the author.
Acting
María Félix smolders with controlled volcanic intensity.
Cinematography
Córdoba's Gothic compositions haunt every frame.
Direction
Bardem channels Valle-Inclán's 'esperpento' into visual anguish.
Director
Juan Antonio Bardem
María Félix
La Niña Chole
Francisco Rabal
Marqués Javier de Bradomín
Aurora Bautista
Concha
Fernando Rey
Captain Casares
Carlos Rivas
Juan Guzmán
Carlos Casaravilla
Conde de Brandeso
Ignacio López Tarso
Jefe de guerrilleros
Manuel Alexandre
Teniente Andrade
Ada Carrasco
Nana
José Torvay
Segundo sargento
Matilde Muñoz Sampedro
Candelaria
Rafael Bardem
Juan Manuel Montenegro
Enrique Lucero
Militar prisionero
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Bardem was blacklisted by Franco; this adaptation smuggled Valle-Inclán's anti-establishment 'esperpento' style past censors through period disguise.
María Félix, Mexico's greatest diva, spoke no Spanish dialect required—she learned her lines phonetically, yet out-acted everyone.
MX
