He was born in Zaragoza in 1923. He studied architecture, but then discovered his vocation in the film world through his involvement with the theatre at the university. In 1951 he directed his first feature film entitled 'Niebla y sol'. His reputation was established in 1957 with the film 'Amanecer en puerta oscura', based on a screenplay by Alfonso Sastre, which won the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. In 1967 he founded his own production company, Orfeo Films, with which he went on to make several feature films. In 1982 he created and directed the series 'Ramón y Cajal' for Spanish public television. This was followed by other series such as 'El jardín de Venus' and 'Miguel Servet. La sangre y la ceniza'. He died in Madrid on 17 March 1995, at the age of 72.
Awards
Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival (1957)
National Film Award (1994)
Honorary Goya Award (1995)
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Whom God Forgives (direction, script)
This film established the director’s reputation nationally and internationally. Following this success, he made two more films: “Un hecho violento” (“Violent Fate”) and “La noche y el alba”.
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Atraco a las tres (direction)
One of the most popular and appreciated Spanish films.
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Other highlighted works
- Niebla y sol
- María Morena