During post-Spanish civil war (it happened : 1936-1939) , the religious censor (Agustin Gonzalez) and civil censor (Antonio Gamero) detain members of a theatrical company . They are a group of second-rate actors attempting to get out of their wretched lives taking advantage of the artistic caprices of the son of a wealthy man named Roque Collado (Fernando Fernan Gomez) who supports the regime . They attempt to stage a Pre-war 'Zarzuela' titled 'La Corte Del Faraón', at Gayarre theatre . The group finally arrange to perform the 'Zarzuela' but end up in the police station where they confirm that justice depends on which side are you on . There , the police commissioner Vicente (Jose Luis Lopez Vazquez) interrogate them . The rich Roque , his son Tarsicio (Josema Yuste ) , his bride Mari Pili (Ana Belen) explain by means of successive flashbacks it results to be a profitable play : ¨The caste Jose¨ , to get funds for the convent of Saint Donato and authorized by Fray José (Antonio Banderas) . Meanwhile, Mari Pili convinces Fray José to take the role as Casto Jose to fall in love with him .
This film had a fairly large budget in the case of Spanish cinema , being an acceptable comedy seasoned with musical numbers . After five years without filming , Jose Luis Garcia Sanchez is hired by the great producer Luis Sanz , expert on musical genre , to shoot a peculiar version based on popular Zarzuela , which ironically, thirty years later , is too obscene for the regime censorship sort of Spanish operetta , being banned during dictatorship of General Francisco Franco . This is his first collaboration to prestigious screenwriter Rafael Azcona . However , it results in a silly and spoof flick , and it is not among their best works . It is shot in real embarrassment , including ridiculous scenes and being next to caricature more than realism . The best parts of the movie are the choreographic numbers and known songs adapted in theatrical style with roots in popular music of the forties ; recreating the essence of the Zarzuela vintage songs , accompanying sensual melodies and lyrics . It introduces several fragments of the original Zarzuela where highlights turn out to be duets between Antonio Banderas and Ana Belen . It has some moments of enjoyment as well as amusement and others quite a few embarrassing . Regular and unbalanced , but gaining the sympathy almost at all times . Bad timing results to be the voice of the singers with the actors , it is less achieved . Main actors as Antonio Banderas , Ana Belen , Jose Luis Lopez Vazquez , Fernando Fernan Gomez steal the show , interpreters who provided a considerable boost to the result . As well as an awesome support cast such as Millan Salcedo , Luis Ciges , Maria Luisa Ponte , Juan Diego , Guillermo Marin , Quique Camoiras , Guillermo Montesinos , Mary Carmen Ramirez and several others . Many of them play and dance wonderful and classic Spanish songs . The picture is well set in the early Spanish Civil Post-war, in Madrid, during the most hard times of the general Franco dictatorship , being well photographed by notorious cameraman Jose Luis Alcaine .
The motion picture was professionally directed by Jose Luis Garcia Sánchez , though contains flaws , gaps and too much mayhem . He is a notorious writer and director, known for writing : ¨Belle Epoque¨ (1992) for director Jose Luis Garci , ¨Corazon Solitario¨, ¨Furia Española¨ for filmmaker Francisco Betriu , ¨Habla Mudita¨ and ¨Camada Negra¨ for Manuel Gutierrez Aragon . His films debuts were a trilogy of comedies in politic trendy : ¨El Love Feroz¨, ¨Colorin Colorado¨ and ¨Las Truchas¨ (1978) , the latter won Golden Bear in Berlin Festival . He also directed a documentary : ¨Dolores¨ that pays tribute to communist Ibarruri . He subsequently collaborates with Rafael Azcona such as ¨Hay Deshacer La Casa¨, ¨Pasodoble¨, ¨El Vuelo De La Paloma¨ and ¨El Seductor¨ . And two rendition upon Ramon Valle Inclan novels : ¨Divinas Palabras¨ (1985) , and ¨Tirano Banderas¨ , as well as a pair of farceur comedies ¨Suspiros De España¨ (1995) , and ¨Siempre Hay Camino a la Derecha¨ . Furthermore , two historical films ¨La Noche Mas Larga¨ and and Lazaro De Tormes (2001) .
