Alvaro de Luna Movies

The daughter of a 16th Century Spanish nobleman strives to transcend her role as a woman in society and achieve something truly profound in this period drama starring Paz Vega and Geraldine Chaplin. Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada (Vega) knows well what is expected of her as a woman existing in a man's world, but she refuses to accept it. Convinced that she is capable of accomplishing much more than being a loyal wife and loving mother, Teresa enters a convent intent on writing, reading, learning, and living a full, richly textured life. Much to Teresa's dismay, the same vapid materialism and frivolity that seemed to have consumed the outside world have somehow found their way into the hallowed halls of this convent as well. In protest, Teresa embarks on a crusade of prayer and sacrifice that initially finds her branded a lunatic by those in power. But over the course of time something truly profound happens: a woman once considered mentally unstable gradually evolves to become a celebrated leader and, ultimately, a true saint of the highest order. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

In the wake of the Spanish Civil War, a number of the Republican guerillas who fought against Franco's fascist army went into hiding and continued their battle as resistance fighters hiding out in the mountain ranges of Spain; this drama offers a glimpse of life in a rural Spanish community under Franco's rule as the "Maquis" plot their next move in their battle against Franco. It's 1944, and Lucia (Lucia Jimenez) arrives in a small town to take a job at a tavern run by her aunt Teresa (Mercedes Sampietro). Politically, the community is torn between those who have retained their loyalty to the former Republican leadership and those who have embraced fascism under Franco. Lucia becomes fast friends with Lola (Maria Botto), a local girl whose brother Manuel (Juan Diego Botto) is a blacksmith with ties to the Maquis. As Lucia falls in love with Manuel, the Maquis come out of hiding and stage a raid on the town, freeing a number of Republicans who have been jailed for their support of the old regime; as one might expect, this attracts the attention of Franco's Civil Guard, which quickly sets out to neutralize Manuel and the rebels. Silencia Roto was directed by Montxo Armendariz, who previously made the international success Secretos Del Corazon. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Five legendary bank robbers who have settled comfortably into their extended sentences in a maximum-security prison get an unexpected surprise when they are simultaneously granted parole in this crime comedy from director Óscar del Caz. In jail these five former criminal masterminds were kings of the criminal world. Respected by outlaws both young and old for their bold crimes, the ageing robbers lived a life of privilege behind bars -- even gaining the respect of the hardened guards. When the lawless troupe is left to their own devices following a surprise parole, they pool their resources in an attempt to stage their most daring heist yet. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

When the forces of Gen. Francisco Franco overthrow the duly elected (but leftist) Republican government, soldiers loyal to the government head for the hills in northern Spain. The soldiers survive by making raids for food and by committing robbery and the kidnapping of a wealthy local. They spend years after the conflict in hiding, but their number soon dwindles to one when the rest are captured or shot. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

The depth of bonding between young Santiago (Juan Diego Botto) and his dying grandfather, as well as his grandfather's foreman Teo, underlies this interesting drama. After Santiago and his family arrive at his grandfather's farm, the elderly gentleman dies but not before telling his grandson a secret. On the one hand, Santiago is the heir to his grandfather's farm, and on the other, he may just have a special relationship to Teo (Alvaro de Luna), his grandfather's foreman. The little boy has a few playmates in his cousins who live on the farm with their parents, and he follows his idol Teo around with a child's admiration for his strength and unique personality. But when tragedy steps into the picture, Santiago's faith in Teo is put to the test. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Using the viewpoint of real school children slowly finding out about Federico García Lorca, director Jaime Camino unveils the life, literary works, and personality of Spain's great writer, tragically murdered by the gunfire of fascist soldiers in 1936 when he was only 38 years old. Just as important as the loss of García Lorca is the fact that the school children are not too clear on who he was or why there was a Civil War in 1936 -- both are vague and unfamiliar topics. A re-enactment of the poet's murder is shocking in its brutality, all the more so once Camino has provided excerpts from the poet's dramas and verse, and his genius and sensitivity are brought home. Included in this informative documentary are scenes from Granada, where García Lorca was born, and of places he knew well, such as New York City and Seville, with a recollection of the Spain of his day provided through old newsreels and photographs. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Throughout this low-brow semi-comedy, a group of Spanish military inductees regale each other with jokes, indulge in juvenile cameraderie, and generally pass the time away as only the energized young can, voluntarily locked up in a freight car on the train that is taking them to boot camp. While they are busy entertaining themselves in various ways, a fellow recruit who missed the train is chasing it (unsuccessfully) in a taxi, accompanied by his girlfriend. By the end of the train ride, after much commentary on military service and other relevant or not-so-relevant topics, the contrite recruits will have to emerge and face the music. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

On long summer weekends, Juan (Alfredo Landa) is in the habit of hopping on his motorcycle in Madrid and driving for many hours to Torremolinos, a popular hangout for foreign tourists. There, he indulges in his fondness for romancing foreign girls. In this movie, which won a Gold Prize at the 1977 Moscow Film Festival, the people he meets on his journey form a microcosm of modern Spain. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

This spaghetti western finds a despotic mine owner (Eduardo Fajardo) the target for revenge by the idealistic patriot Eufemio (Tony Musante). He hires Bill Douglas (Franco Nero) to incite a revolution that will oust the government and the greedy miner. Douglas agrees as long as his creature comforts are insured during the crossing of the unforgiving desert. Ricciolo (Jack Palance) is the mercenary working for the side of the mineowner. Ennio Morricone provides the music for this violent and humorous film. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

This bloody spaghetti western (filmed entirely in Spain) tells the tale of how an Indian (Burt Reynolds), whose entire tribe was slain by Anglo outlaws, gets gruesome revenge upon them. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Based on a novel by Louis L'Amour, this western, filmed on location in Spain, chronicles the quest of an ex-con to locate a fortune in stolen gold and to get even with his treacherous former partners. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi