Don Juan en los infiernos (1991)

Director:

Gonzalo Suárez

Writers:

Molière (play)
Gonzalo Suárez (story)

Release Date:

13 September 1991 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Sword Fight | Don Juan | Foreign Language Adaptation | Female Nudity | Lover

Awards:

5 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Fernando Guillén	...	Don Juan
Mario Pardo	...	Esganarel
Charo López	...	Doña Elvira
Héctor Alterio	...	Padre de Don Juan
Ana Álvarez	...	Chiquilla India
Manuel de Blas	...	Buhonero
Iñaki Aierra	...	Rey Felipe II (as Ignacio Aierra)
Olegar Fedoro	...	Marido - Husband
Yelena Samarina	...	Dama Ermita
Ayanta Barilli	...	Dama
Alicia Sánchez	...	Prostituta
Gabriel Latorre	...	Sirviente Dama
Celestino Diaz	...	Sirviente Doña Elvira
Carmen Lozano	...	Superiora
Fernando Ransanz	...	Obispo

Also Known As:

Don Juan in Hell (International: English title)

Runtime:

Spain:91 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Spain:13

Company:

Ditirambo Films

Quotes:

Marido Luis de Moor: [enters the bedroom which Don Juan just fled] Have you made me a cuckold?
Dama: [beside the bed, worried] What are you talking about?
Marido Luis de Moor: Rumours.
Dama: Rumours? Infamy...
[lures him]
Dama: Rise above it, mount my body, open my flesh with your spurs. You are the horseman and I am your horse. Look, I am sweating.
Marido Luis de Moor: [sneers] You strumpet.
Dama: [laughs] Yes!
[he strangles her]

Beautiful and imaginative view of Don Juan confronting his limits

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Beautiful, imaginative, poetic and almost surrealistic approach to Don Juan in his late years. Rich in powerful images, like a giant shell being carried on wheels across the fields or in front of ancient buildings. The man who has found it in the sea is accompanied by his living shadow impersonated by a masked person who makes the same movements.

Herald of sensual and intellectual freedom in a decadent empire tormented by religious fears and the concept of sin, Don Juan seeks reconciliation with his legitimate wife and his father, as he seems to prepare for a change in his way of living, or perhaps even his death. He is accompanied by his loyal servant Esganarel, that suffers much of his master's leg work (and other unpleasant situations) but at least is treated like a human being, almost a friend, by a Don Juan that foreshadows modern thinking.

Witty dialog and elegant rhetoric merge effortlessly in the tradition of Moliere and of the classical Spanish writers. A pair of elegant touches of eroticism (one of them reminiscent of Velazquez paintings) and veteran Spanish actors like Fernando Guillén (fitting very well in his character) or perpetually beautiful Charo López contribute to this unpretentious and overlooked masterpiece by excellent director Gonzalo Suárez.