Romasanta

Last updated
Romasanta
Romasanta FilmPoster.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Paco Plaza
Written byElena Serra
Alberto Marini
Story byAlfredo Conde
Produced byJulio Fernández
Brian Yuzna
Starring Julian Sands
Elsa Pataky
John Sharian
CinematographyJaviar Salmones
Edited byDavid Gallart
Music byMikel Salas
Production
companies
Fantastic Factory
Filmax
Future Films
Castelao Producciones
Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA)
Canal+ Spain
Xunta de Galicia
Televisió de Catalunya
Televisión de Galicia (TVG) S.A.
Distributed byFilmax (2004, Spain - all media)
Filmax International
Lionsgate (United States) [1]
Release date
  • 2004 (2004)
Running time
89 minutes
CountriesSpain
United Kingdom
Italy [2]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million [3]

Romasanta, also known as Romasanta, la caza de la bestia in Spanish, and Romasanta: The Werewolf Hunt in English, is a 2004 Spanish-Italian-British horror film directed by Paco Plaza and starring Julian Sands, Elsa Pataky and John Sharian. It is available on DVD from Lion's Gate Entertainment under the title Werewolf Hunt.

Contents

Based on a script by Alfredo Conde, according to the end credits the film is based on a true story, that of Manuel Blanco Romasanta, Spain’s first documented serial killer. Conde is a descendant of one of the doctors involved the original Werewolf of Allariz court case that took place in 1853/54 in Galicia, Spain. He went on to write a fictional novel, The Uncertain Memoirs of a Galician Wolfman: Romasanta. [4] The same case previously provided the basis for the 1968 Spanish film El bosque del lobo ("The Wolf's Forest").

Plot

The story takes place in 1851 in a small Spanish village apparently plagued by what we would now call a serial killer, as corpses are discovered bearing both savage mutilation and precise surgical incisions. Clues point toward Manuel Romasanta, who confesses to the crimes, but claims that he is a victim of lycanthropy. A scientist, Professor Philips, argues that Romasanta suffers not from a supernatural curse but from a mental disorder.

Cast

Production

Romasanta was filmed on location in Galicia, Spain. [5]

Release

Romasanta was given a straight-to-video release in the United States on November 22, 2005 under the alternate title of Werewolf Hunter. [6]

Reception

Critical response

Jonathan Holland of Variety commended the film for its cinematography, visual and audio effects, as well as Sands' and Pataky's performances; but felt that the romance was underdeveloped, stating that the script covered too much ground and lacked "dramatic focus". [7] Jon Condit of Dread Central rated the film a score of four out of five, offering similar praise, also commending its gothic atmosphere and historical and scientific context, while criticizing the film's slow pacing. [8] Cinema Crazed's Felix Vasquez gave the film a mostly positive review, calling it "a grim, bleak, and original peak into the rare disease of lycanthropy, and posits a new take on the werewolf genre; while noting the film's plot holes, and 'confusing' characterizations. [9] AllMovie's Jeremy Wheeler praised the film's cinematography, production values, special effects, and performances. [10]

Awards

Romasanta was nominated for a number of Spanish awards, including two Goya Awards (Best Cinematography and Best Special Effects) and two Barcelona Film Awards (Best Film Editing and Best New Director).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Werewolf</span> Mythological human with acquired ability to transform into a wolflike creature

In folklore, a werewolf, or occasionally lycanthrope, is an individual who can shape-shift into a wolf, or especially in modern film, a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse or affliction, often a bite or the occasional scratch from another werewolf, with the transformations occurring on the night of a full moon. Early sources for belief in this ability or affliction, called lycanthropy, are Petronius (27–66) and Gervase of Tilbury (1150–1228).

<i>Silver Bullet</i> (film) 1985 film by Dan Attias

Silver Bullet is a 1985 American horror film based on the 1983 Stephen King novella Cycle of the Werewolf. It stars Gary Busey, Everett McGill, and Corey Haim, with Megan Follows, Terry O'Quinn, Lawrence Tierney, Bill Smitrovich, Kent Broadhurst, David Hart, and James Gammon in supporting roles. The film is directed by Dan Attias, written by King and produced by Martha De Laurentiis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of Spain</span>

The art of motion-picture making within Spain or by Spanish filmmakers abroad is collectively known as Spanish Cinema.

<i>Ring of Darkness</i> 2004 film

Ring of Darkness is a 2004 fantasy horror film directed by David DeCoteau and starring Ryan Starr, Matt T. Baker, and Adrienne Barbeau.

<i>Man-Thing</i> (film) 2005 film

Man-Thing is a 2005 monster film based on the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name. Directed by Brett Leonard and written by Hans Rodionoff, it stars Matthew Le Nevez, Rachael Taylor, and Jack Thompson, with Conan Stevens portraying the title character. The film follows a Louisiana sheriff as he investigates a series of deaths in a swamp, leading to him encountering the eponymous creature.

<i>The Wolfman</i> (film) 2010 film by Joe Johnston

The Wolfman is a 2010 American gothic horror film directed by Joe Johnston, from a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self. A remake of the 1941 film The Wolf Man, it stars Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving. The film’s story follows an actor based in America who, after his brother's brutal murder, returns to his ancestral homeland in England, where he gets bitten by a werewolf and is cursed to become one.

<i>The Werewolf</i> (1956 film) 1956 film by Fred F. Sears

The Werewolf is a 1956 American horror science fiction film directed by Fred F. Sears and starring Don Megowan and Joyce Holden.

<i>The Mark of the Wolfman</i> 1968 Spanish film

The Mark of the Wolfman, is a 1968 Spanish horror film, the first in a long series of films about the werewolf Count Waldemar Daninsky, played by Paul Naschy. The film was also known as Hell's Creatures, The Nights of Satan, The Vampires of Dr. Dracula and Frankenstein's Bloody Terror. Naschy originally suggested actress Barbara Steele for the part of the vampire countess Wandesa, but Aurora De Alba wound up getting the part.

<i>The Fury of the Wolfman</i> 1974 Spanish film

The Fury of the Wolfman, aka Wolfman Never Sleeps, is a 1970 Spanish horror film that is the fourth in a long series about the werewolf Count Waldemar Daninsky, played by Paul Naschy. Naschy wrote the screenplay as well. The film was shot in early 1970. It was not theatrically released in Spain until 1975 due to problems involved in finding a distributor, although it was distributed in edited form on U.S. TV in 1974.

<i>Dr. Jekyll y el Hombre Lobo</i> 1972 Spanish film

Dr. Jekyll y el Hombre Lobo, also known as Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf, is a 1971 Spanish horror film, the sixth in a series of 12 films about the werewolf Count Waldemar Daninsky, played by Paul Naschy. Naschy actually plays a triple role in the film, portraying Waldemar Daninsky, the Wolf Man and Mr. Hyde. This was Naschy's 2nd film working with director Leon Klimovsky, following their hugely successful 1970 collaboration La Noche de Walpurgis. This film also featured Euro-Horror star Jack Taylor, Mirta Miller and the beautiful Shirley Corrigan of England. The film failed however to reach the box office success of Walpurgis.

<i>Mansquito</i> American TV series or program

Mansquito is a 2005 American made-for-television monster movie directed by Tibor Takács, and stars Corin Nemec, Musetta Vander and Matt Jordon. It shares many similarities with the 1986 adaptation of The Fly, and was conceived by Ray Cannella, Manager of Program Acquisition for the Syfy Channel. He and other two colleagues began producing films for the channel feeling that they could do better than the films they bought from independent producers.

<i>The Ancines Woods</i> 1970 film

The Ancines Woods is a 1970 Spanish drama/horror film co-written, produced, and directed by Pedro Olea. It is based on the novel by Carlos Martínez-Barbeito, and is partially based on the life of Manuel Blanco Romasanta and his alleged lycanthropy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Talbot</span> Universal Monsters franchise character

Lawrence StewartTalbot, also known as the Wolf Man, is a title character of the 1941 Universal film The Wolf Man and its sequels, created by Curt Siodmak. He was portrayed by Lon Chaney Jr. In the 2010 remake of the film, he is portrayed by Benicio del Toro. The Wolf Man was part of the Universal Monsters ensemble.

<i>The Boy Who Cried Werewolf</i> (2010 film) American Film

The Boy Who Cried Werewolf is a 2010 Nickelodeon made-for-television comedy horror film starring Victoria Justice, Chase Ellison, Matt Winston, Brooke D'Orsay, Steven Grayhm, and Brooke Shields. The screenplay was written by Art Edler Brown and Douglas Sloan, and the film follows Jordan Sands, an awkward 17-year-old girl who, along with her family, inherits a castle in Romania. While exploring the castle, Jordan accidentally steps on a vial of werewolf blood and becomes infected, transforming into a werewolf herself. It was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The film aired on Nickelodeon on October 23, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BC Fourteen</span> American film director

BC Fourteen is an American screenwriter, novelist, film director and editor. He began his career with a slate of award-winning short films and music videos, and has written commercially for the page and screen under numerous pseudonyms. His legal name is BC Fourteen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manuel Blanco Romasanta</span> Spanish serial killer (1809–1863)

Manuel Blanco Romasanta was Spain's first recorded serial killer. In 1853, he admitted to thirteen murders but claimed he was not responsible because he was suffering from a curse that caused him to turn into a wolf. Although this defence was rejected at trial, Queen Isabella II commuted his death sentence to allow doctors to investigate the claim as an example of clinical lycanthropy. Blanco has become part of Spanish folklore as the Werewolf of Allariz and is also known as The Tallow Man, a nickname he earned for rendering his victims' fat to make high-quality soap.

Cinematography in Galicia refers to films made in Galicia or by Galicia-related filmmakers. Galician cinema consists of films in Galician language, although the majority of those productions is also made in Spanish. To a lesser extent, some Galician films include Portuguese-Galician coproductions, such as The Rye Horn, some using Portuguese-language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza de la Leña</span> Picturesque medieval square in Pontevedra, Spain

The Plaza de la Leña is a picturesque medieval square located in the heart of the old town of Pontevedra (Spain). It is the most typical medieval square in the historic centre and in Galicia.

<i>Werewolf by Night</i> (TV special) 2022 Marvel Studios television special

Werewolf by Night is an American television special directed by Michael Giacchino and written by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics featuring the character of the same name. It is the first Marvel Studios Special Presentation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films and television series of the franchise. The special was produced by Marvel Studios and follows a secret group of monster hunters as they compete for a powerful relic while going up against a dangerous monster.

<i>The Beast of Bray Road</i> (film) 2005 American horror film

The Beast of Bray Road is a 2005 American horror film written and directed by Leigh Scott. A direct-to-video release produced and distributed by The Asylum, it is based on the Beast of Bray Road, a purported wolf-like cryptid that was allegedly first sighted in Elkhorn, Walworth County, Wisconsin, in 1936. It stars Jeff Denton, Thomas Downey, Sarah Lieving, Joel Ezra Hebner, and Tom Nagel.

References

  1. "Lions Gate on Fantastic voyage". Variety. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  2. "Romasanta". British Film Institute . London. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  3. "Filmax scares up slate". Variety. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  4. Alfredo Conde The Uncertain Memoirs of a Galician Wolfman: Romasanta Antípodas Monographs 2006 ISBN   0-9775868-0-4
  5. Beck, Jay; Ortega, Vicente Rodríguez (2009). Supranational Horrors: Italian and Spanish Horror Cinema since 1968. Manchester University Press. ISBN   9780719077753.
  6. "Werewolf Hunter (2005)". TCM . Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  7. Holland, Jonathan (June 8, 2004). "Romasanta". Variety . Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  8. Condit, Jon (2004). "Romasanta: The Werewolf Hunt (2004)". DreadCentral.com. Dread Central . Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  9. Vasquez, Felix (June 11, 2004). "Romasanta: The Werewolf Hunt (2004)". CinemaCrazed.com. Cinema Crazed. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  10. Wheeler, Jeremy (2004). "Werewolf Hunter: The Legend of Romasanta (2004) - Paco Plaza". AllMovie . Retrieved August 12, 2020.