Tenemos 18 años (1959) User Reviews

Jess Franco's debut film is surprisingly sweet and fluffy

[Red-Barracuda · 5/10 · 17 February 2015]

I think it would only be fair to say that with his feature film debut, Jess Franco did not start off like he was going to go on. In fact, if it wasn't for his name appearing in the opening credits I think there would be very few people who would have clocked this one as a Franco flick at all. It's essentially a light-hearted and breezy comedy about two Madrid girls who buy an old car and head off on a road trip. Afterwards, they re-imagine fantastical versions of the encounters they experienced along the way.

It's essentially a road movie and, therefore is quite episodic in nature. And the set-up allows for all manner of odd events occurring. One of which is a strange Gothic horror sequence, which points towards the general vicinity that Franco would inhabit later on in his career. For the most part though, this is very atypical stuff. Although it does have to be said that it is made with some care and attention and more budget than he would go on to be associated with. This is certainly a very curious debut and a true obscurity though. And when you consider that this is the first film directed by one of the most prolific film-makers of all-time it has to be considered worthy of a footnote in history at least. It won't necessarily appeal to most of his fans but will certainly be of curiosity value to the majority of them.

Jess Frank's film debut in an enjoyable and delightful adventure about two teens on vacation by an old car

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 31 May 2020]

This a bemusing and funny comedy by the most prolific Spanish cinema director . While arguing with her parents (Maria Luis Ponte , Antonio Jiménez Escribano) , María José (Isana Medel) decides to travel along with her fellow student Pili (Terele Pávez who was Alex De La Iglesia's regular until her recent death) . They are two very best cousins , almost sisters , and both 18 year old . Tired of their lessons at university , they buy a very old car to his classmate and botcher cousin Mariano (Antonio Ozores who married Elisa Montes , sister of Teréle Pávez and Emma Penella) trying to sell them anything , getting taken advantage of them . Then they head off on a road trip by their ancient as well as slow-moving car that never runs out of fuel , finding along the way strange characters and weird happenings . However , they believed to be a easy-going journey , but things go wrong and it results a be the worst vacation they could ever have expected . As they take a detour into an unknown path arriving in Doñana park and meet a mysterious delinquent (Luis Peña) .

This charming film about the fantastic vacation carried out by two attractive teenage Spanish girls contains genuine humor , clean jokes , amusement and fun . Adding some elements of Gothic Horror with comedy when a disguised Antonio Ozores terrorizes his two guests at a creepy castle , a frigthening theme that Jesús Franco would go on later on in his long career with the famous Doctor Orloff . There is also some amusing recreation of their surreal encounters they allegedly experience . This is mainly remembered for being Jess Franco's first feature debut about a pair of young adventurers who decide to get a car from a bungler friend and along the way they meet a motley assortment of roles and odd events happening . Some scenes drag a little , but there's a certain warmth and mirth flowing throughout the story that's why it actually works . Two protagonists are pretty well , as the beautiful but unknown Isana Medel and the today veteran and hard-working actress Teréle Pavez who passed away . Special mention for Antonio Ozores who plays various roles , giving likeable acting as usual , going on an expansive career along with his brother Mariano Ozores who directed him in a lot of films . Remaining support cast is frankly good , such as : María Luisa Ponte, Antonio Jiménez Escribano , Pablo Sanz , Mercedes Alonso, Aníbal Vela , Rufino Inglés and Rafael Bardem.

The picture produced by the prestious Luis Garcia Berlanga was professionaly directed , though packs some failures . Including colorful cinematography , delivering an agreeable jazz score and some Franco's initial trademarks while scattering the camera here and there as the sympathetic cousins are undertaking the high-road adventure . At his beginning Franco worked as an assistant director to Juan Antonio Bardem, Luis Garcia Berlanga , León Klimovsky, Luis Saslavsky, Julio Bracho, Fernando Soler and Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent, among others. He also worked at Ágata Films S.A. as production manager and writer. His first works as a director were industrial and cultural short films. However, he soon applied all his knowledge and experience to his feature directorial debut, Tenemos 18 años (1959). From that moment on all his work was supported by co-production. Apart from his own production company, Manacoa Films, he also worked for companies like Auster Films S.L. (Paul Auster), Cinematográfica Fénix Films (Arturo Marcos), the French Comptoir Français du Film (Robert de Nesle), Eurociné (Daniel Lesoeur and Marius Lesoeur), Elite Films Productions (Erwin C. Dietrich), Spain's Fervi Films (Fernando Vidal Campos) or Golden Films Internacional S.A. and for British producer Harry Alan Towers . Directing several peculiar films as Necronomicón (1968) , La Reina del Tabarin , Vampiresas 1930, The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus, The Awful Dr. Orlof , 99 women , Miss Muerte , Residence for Spies , Death Whistles the Blues , Two Undercover Angels , Fumanchu and the kiss of death , Fumanchu's Castle , The sadist of Notre-Dame and many others .

The Kick-Off to a Long Career

[Michael_Elliott · 10 August 2015]

We Are 18 Years Old (1959)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Eighteen-year-old friends Maria (Isana Medel) and Pili (Terele Pavez) decide to take a road trip, which leads them into all sorts of strange fantasies and adventures.

TENEMOS 18 ANOS is going to be best remembered for being Jess Franco's first feature and that alone must be worth celebrating if you're a fan of the Spanish filmmaker. While watching this film I couldn't help but wonder what it must have been like watching this in a theater back when it was released and I'm going to guess that no one who actually saw it would have guessed that the director would go onto make over two hundred films.

This certainly isn't one of the director's best films but I think there are quite a few interesting things that make it worth watching. For starters, there's actually some pretty good comedy here, a genre that the director never did enough of but when he did he proved he could make you laugh. I thought the highlight of the film was a rather long sequence where the two girls are getting taken advantage of by a guy trying to sell them everything they don't really need. This scene really drags out but it's funny and there's a certain comic flow that really works. Another highlight comes during a classroom scene where the two girls discuss some of their peers.

It certainly doesn't hurt that both Medel and Pavez are so good in their roles. There's not a single frame where you don't feel as if you're watching friends going on this wild adventure full of gangsters, suicidal morons and other types. One of the "other" types is a pretty interesting take off on THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Franco fans will certainly enjoy watching this since he never really got to tackle the subject later in his career. TENEMOS 18 ANOS certainly isn't a masterpiece but there are enough quirky and interesting aspects that makes it worth viewing.

Super young Franco

[BandSAboutMovies · 4/10 · 24 February 2023]

Everything - Dr. Orloff, diamond thieves, longing staring moments into the scenery and the sun, jazz interludes and all the moments of male gaze - all start here. This is Jess Franco's first film and it doesn't even hint at the madness that the rest of his near two hundred films would unleash.

María José (Isana Medel) and Pili (Terele Pávez) are on the road and looking for adventure. Seeing as how this is the first full-length film for Jess, they are safe from face stealing mad doctors, women who kill in ecstasy, lesbian vampires and the zooming in way too close camera of the director himself.

Instead, the girls have fantasies like a man who lives in a castle just might be a vampire and the old lady who stares at their yellow car just wants to smash it. It's light and so safe and yet, behind the camera is the eye of a thirty-year-old Franco who has not yet stared at Soledad or Lina or would someday be shooting films far from Spain. A man who one day, along with Luis Bunuel, would be condemned as the director who offered the most danger to the souls of Catholics.

Many years later, Terele Pávez would play Rosario in El Dia de la Bestia. Her acting career would last from 1954 to 2020.

The feature film directing debut of Uncle Jess.

[morrison-dylan-fan · 8/10 · 3 September 2014]

October 2013:

After watching my first ever titles by auteur film maker Jess Franco for Halloween,I decided to take a look at Franco IMDb,to find out what film marked his debut. Disappointingly finding that the movie had not come out on DVD/Video,I was thrilled to track down the flick online,only to discover that there were no subtitles available!

Easter 2014:

With having mentioned to a DVD seller months ago about my interest in seeing Franco's debut,I was thrilled to discover that he had located a version of the film with English subtitles,which led to me excitingly getting ready to finally see Uncle Jess first ever film.

View on the film:

While he had not yet found his soon to be trademark "zoom" button on the camera,co-writer/(along with lead actor Antonio Ozores) composer/directing auteur Jess Franco shows a remarkable focus in keeping the film moving at a frantic pace,with Franco scattering the camera along María José (played by the charming Isana Medel) and Pili (played by the pretty Terele Pávez-who is still making movies!) delightful road adventure,with Franco making sure that their car never runs out of fuel,by the delivering a wonderful jazz score which bounces across the screen.

Taking advantage of Maria and Pili's diversions on their travels,Franco strays into his first ever shot at Gothic Horror,with Franco showing a sharp eye in using murky colours which lead to the women realizing that they have taken a detour into an unknown path.

Featuring a genuine warmth which he would soon rip to shreds,Jess Franco and Antonio Ozores largely give the film an excellent light and fluffy atmosphere,with Pili and Maria's road adventures getting more bonkers with every turn they make.

Made as dictator Jess Franco still had a firm grip on Spain,the ending of the title features an unexpectedly raw note,with Franco strongly hinting that two characters are suffering from the memories of the Spanish Civil War,which leads to Franco giving a glimpse of the Uncle Jess on the horizon.

Jess Franco debut is a masterpiece.

[paulofullmoon · 10/10 · 24 January 2023]

The debut of Jess Franco as director couldn't be better. This is a masterpiece that deserves its place in any Top 10 lists of the director (although it is impossible to select just 10 films, I would need at least a Top 50).

The fact is that I watched it three times and, the most I see it, the most I love it. There is absolutely nothing to be changed here. This is an essential item in the director's filmography, not only because it is his first feature film, but also and foremost because of its premonitory tone. Yes, many of the trademarks of Jess are already included here. Do you want some examples?

Two beautiful girls united by a close friendship as protagonists;

A woman doing a perfornance in a nightclub. Carmen Lozano needs to be remembered at least for being Jess' first showgirl;

Several cinematic and literary references;

The sea, a constant element in Jess imaginary, makes its debut here;

The constant conflict between illusion and reality.

Contrary to what one could think, this is not a mere escapist comedy, but the early expressions from a revolutionary artist. His authoral mark is all over the place What starts as a funny ironic comedy ends as a bitter drama, not due to inconsistency in the script, but as a reflection of the change of mentality experienced by Maria José and Pili (played extraordinarily well by Isana Medel and Terele Pávez). After spending most of the movie in their fantasy world, they wound up facing the serious aspects of real life. They became adults, after all. The event that led the girls to see things differently was their tragic encounter with a bank robber, who asked them for help in escaping. The excellent Luis Pena, as the victim of circumstances, protagonizes one of the strongest moments in the history of cinema, one of those scenes that we never forget.

To dream or face reality? That is the big point of reflection lifted by this cinematic gem.