Los clarines del miedo (1958) Poster

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7/10
An essential and remarkable production about ¨Bullfighting¨ with a splendid acting by Francisco Rabal
ma-cortes4 October 2016
Melodrama , tragedy , a love story , social habits and Toreo in this enjoyable version based on the homonym novel titled ¨Los Clarines Del Miedo¨ or "Bugles of Fear" written by also screenwriter Ángel María de Lera . Filigranas and Aceituno are two unknown bullfighters who dream with fame and fortune , both of whom are hired for an amateur bullfight in a little town of Castile . Francisco , Alias Aceituno (Francisco Rabal) , oldest , is a 30-year-old veteran Toreador and , ex shoe-cleaner , but he's a disillusioned man , as he is afraid of bulls and his best period has passed away long time ago . And Filigranas , Rafael Garcia , (Rogelio Madrid) , who has great illusions of victory , as he wishes to get the chance of fighting in big plazas and get to be famous . Walking through the village called El Tarnejo where celebrates La Fiesta , they meet Fina (Silvia Solar) , a beautiful young woman , and Filigranas promises that he will dedicate her a bull if she attends the bullfight . At the end , Aceituno and Filigranas confront at El Tarnejo plaza (Madrid) where tragedies and distresses emerge , taking place a tragic denouement .

Good drama about the bullfighting world , being set during the popular parties with fireworks and park attractions , Fiestas , and Ferias from a Castilian little town . Narrating lives of a pair of unfortunate bullfighters , their relationships , fears and falls , in which they will learn to overcome difficulties and penury . It is described in semi-documentary style , including : Novilladas , stockbreeding of brave bulls or ¨Reses Bravas¨ ,Banderillas , Corridas , Tientas and other bullfight related traditions are shown . It stands out the description of the silly villagers , the rustic people and a terrible fear that expands on the two Toreadores as well as the amusing ambient of the popular parties . An atypical work within the sub genre in which the Toreros hold fears and apprehensions . Very good acting by Francisco Rabal as a veteran as well as disenchanted bullfighter and pretty good Rogelio Madrid as Filigranas , a young man with great enthusiasm and a huge desire to be successful . Support cast is frankly well , such as José Marco Davó , Manuel Luna , Francisco Bernal , Angel Alvarez and brief acting by Jose Maria Tasso , alias ¨Flequillo¨ , and Jose Riesgo .

Atmospheric photography in glimmer color by the Spanish classic cameraman Antonio L. Ballesteros , being shot on location in Torrelaguna, Madrid . Evocative soundtrack plenty of traditional music by Manuel Parada . The motion picture was well directed by Antonio Román , an uneven filmmaker at his best . Here Antonio Román surprises us with this unusual portrayal about the bullfighting world. Román was Spain's most celebrated filmmaker , wrote a lot of of movies and directed a few short documentaries and went on to become one of the managers of the Cooperativa Cinematográfica Castilla . His film debut was a documentary , ¨La Ciudad Encantada¨. And subsequently his first full length film was 1941's "Escuadrilla" (Squadron), it was made in collaboration with Raza's José Luis Sáenz De Heredia . Later on , he directed various dated historical dramas as ¨Lola Montes¨ , the successful ¨Los Ultimos De Filipinas¨, and ¨Fuenteovejuna¨ . Furthermore , several dramas as ¨Madrugada¨, ¨Pacto De Silencio¨ , ¨La Vida Encadenada¨ and ¨Intriga¨. And he made some Folkloric films . Soon after , he went on writing reviews and directing films throughout the '60s and into the 70s , although his output slowed . In 1970, he was fired from the set of "Ringo Del Nebraska", after having filmed less than 10%, because the producer did not like his slow and meticulous pace. He was replaced by Mario Bava, his friend and protégé , in fact Román wrote "Planet of the Vampires". Out of respect for Román, Bava refused to accept credit on the film.
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8/10
An unknown film that must be rediscovered
jrgirones10 April 2003
This is not the typical enchanted look to bullfights, which is one of the most distinctive identification signs for the Spanish culture. This film provides a more darker and insightful look to the fiesta and demolishes almost all the stereotypes surrounding it.

Here the main characters (the two "toreros") are presented with their illusions and respect towards bullfights, but also with fear, making them humans and not simply bravura heroes.

In the same way, the people who attend the spectacle (represented by that pintoresque villagers in an incredibly naturalistic way) are not presented just as simple spectators, but as a fierce audience willing to enjoy the fiesta even if there's blood in the "ruedo".

So, bullfighting is not only shown as a form of macho bravery, art or vane entertainment, but also in a more realistic way. This surprises us today bearing in mind the time when the film was shown, in which all Spanish signs of identity had to be glorified in order to please the Dictatorship.

"Los clarines del miedo" should be rediscovered and praised as one of the most significant Spanish films concerning its traditions.
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