The Executioner (1963)

José Isbert: Amadeo, el verdugo

Photos 

Quotes 

• Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version]  They say the garrote is inhuman. Don't make me laugh! Is the guillotine better? You think it's right to bury a man in pieces?

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I don't know much about it.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Because you're a good man. We must respect the condemned. They've suffered enough as it is. And those Americans! Give me your hand. Stick your fingers in here. See? You're scared. And that's only 120 volts.

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Father, I'm trying to iron!

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Well, the electric chair uses thousands of volts. It leaves them burned black! Where's the humanity in their famous electric chair?

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I think people should die at home in bed.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Of course! But if the law imposes a sentence, someone has to carry it out.

• Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version]  Do you smoke?

  Funcionario de prisiones : No.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : I should stop on account of my lungs, but I don't have the willpower.

• Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version]  You've got very steady work.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I'd prefer to go to Germany and study to be a mechanic.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Why? Your job's so secure. Never any lack of work.

• Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version] 

  [referring to the baby Estefanía holds] 

  Amadeo, el verdugo : What's that little butterball's name?

  Estefanía : Mari Pili.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Ah, a girl.

  Estefanía : Of course.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Here's a candy.

• Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version] 

  [while at a picnic in the country] 

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Young people today want to be free!

  Álvarez, el enterrador : Of course.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Yeah, free to put up with my sister-in-law, the old bag!

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Careful! A fellow poisoned his sister-in-law three years ago...

  Álvarez, el enterrador : And you finished him off.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Of course.

  Álvarez, el enterrador : Tell me about it.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : But your wife...

  Álvarez, el enterrador : Don't worry. She's out like a light. Now, about that guy...?

  Amadeo, el verdugo : It didn't go smoothly.

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Father, we just ate!

  Amadeo, el verdugo : [while he wraps a newspaper leaf]  He had a neck like a bull. So the irons were too small.

  Álvarez, el enterrador : That's for sure.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : [putting the wrapped leaf onto Álvarez's neck]  You have to put them... Lift your head up.

• Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [subtitled version] 

  [Amadeo enters his home while José Luis is in bed; he rushes to hide behind the bedroom door. Carmen gets out of the kitchen and listens for a long time her father talking about an apartment he's found] 

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Father, I love José Luis.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : That's fine. He's a decent, reliable young man.

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : He's here. He wants to talk to you.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Here? Where?

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [she points at the bedroom]  In there.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [Amadeo goes to the bedroom and finds José Luis soaking his front with a wet cloth]  I have a terrible headache.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : You have a headache... and you're barefoot. You scoundrel! You rat!

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I know you may be thinking the worst...

  Amadeo, el verdugo : [talking to José Luis]  Get dressed! I was so happy!

  [talking to his daughter] 

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Shameless girl! In my own home, naked!

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Stop exaggerating! I'm not naked.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : What will the neighbors think?

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : I don't care what they think! They've done nothing but criticize us. You know, if I'm not careful, I'll die an old maid. Father... José Luis isn't a cad.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : I was so happy. The happiest day of my life, and you two ruined it.

  [talking to José Luis] 

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Especially you. I can't believe it.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I assure you, sir: I didn't do anything.

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [talking to her father]  Your coffee.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : [he pushes the coffee and spills it]  There's just one solution.

  [as he leaves the hall] 

  Amadeo, el verdugo : What a shame! With those views! You could see the mountains.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Why'd you tell him I was here?

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : It's better this way. If he'd found you by surprise, he'd have killed you.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Carmen, should I go?

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : No, wait. You have to talk to him.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Me? What do I say?

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : I don't know. Say we're getting married.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Getting married...

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Just to calm him down, damn it! Even if it's a lie.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [He goes to the door while Carmen goes to the bedroom, sits on the bed and watches him and then follows him stealthily with great attention]  Mr. Amadeo, I'm a good man. My intentions are good. I have news that will make you even happier than the apartment. Sir, I'd like to marry

  [his trousers fall off] 

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Carmen.

• José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [subtitled version] 

  [at the church where Carmen and him just got married] 

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : You could have worn a different suit for your daughter's wedding.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : It's practically new. I've only worn it three times in five years.

• Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version] 

  [Amadeo and José Luis are about to enter the ministry of employment office to process José Luis's job as an executioner] 

  Amadeo, el verdugo : You must always look sharp in government offices. Let's go.

  [talking to his daughter] 

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Wait for us here.

  [José Luis turns around] 

  Amadeo, el verdugo : What's wrong? What is it? What's the matter?

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I can't do it.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Then why'd we come? Did we agree or not? Then let's go. You're not committing yourself by going inside. Carmen, say something.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Yes, what do you say?

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Do as you think best, darling. Don't worry about me. I was only thinking of the baby.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : Let's go.

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : It's the only solution. See you later, darling. I'm going sale shopping for clothes for the baby. And shirts for you. What's your size?

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I don't remember.

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : You don't remember! Father, what's his neck size?

  Amadeo, el verdugo : [he takes a look at José Luis's neck]  Forty-one.

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : That's right.

  Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Okay. Bye.

  [as they slowly go to the office, she goes away walking with difficulty due to her advanced state of pregnancy] 

• José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [subtitled version]  Well, I'll be going. The van's waiting.

  Amadeo, el verdugo : [referring to the dead man in the van]  Oh, right. The poor guy. How did he look to you?

  José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [stupefied]  Very... normal. Calm and... serene.