In this thriller/drama there is action , eroticism , pursuits , exploitation , discoteque scenes , violence and some sensationalism that undermine verisimilitude . A member of the jet-set dies in Lisbon, due to a car accident , but he was drugged . His father (Antonio Casas) attempts to know the cause of his death , as he hires a journalist named Enrique (Antonio Vilar) to find out the homicide . The latter attempts to figure out the tracks heading him to a race car pilot (Hugo Blanco) who at the same time leads to a drug smuggler ring leader (Paul Naschy) . Enrique very soon finds himself becomes involved into a dangerous criminal organization drawing him to a spiral of risked and perilous events .
Rafael Romero Marchent's thriller is compellingly directed with well staged intrigue , thrilling events and plenty of startling visual style . In the film there are various nasty and peculiar roles , such as villain drug barons , gorgeous femme fatales , dilettante macho men and young druggies . There's a look at youngsters life and badness in the margined side with junkie youthful with tragic overdoses , letting the story flow quick and being realized in realistic style with a group of drugged people , but sometimes lacking credibility enough . This is a decent thriller where the twisted intrigue , tension , suspense appear threatening and lurking here and there. The best scenes of the film result to be when the spectacular car races take place and some violently staged fights . This one is predominantly a Spanish film rather than a Portuguese one , though the Portugal participation is important , including gorgeous sightseeing from Portuguese locations . Stars Antonio Vilar giving an acceptable acting as a hard-nosed investigative journalist who's gruesomely embroiled into a surprising investigation resulting in fateful and unexpected consequences . His career began as a newspaperman but soon entered in movies as a makeup artist first, sound technician, production designer and director's assistant. His first role was in Portuguese film A Severa (1931) and developed his film career as a leading man and character actor in Portugal and Spain in the forties. Later on , he also produced several films. Most remembered for his role in Spanish production "El Judas" (1952) , and others as ¨El deseo y el amor¨ , ¨Don Juan¨, ¨El príncipe encadenado¨, ¨Mare Nostrum¨, ¨El duende y el rey¨ and ¨Alba de América¨. Here appears a lot of Spanish secondaries , ordinary players in Paella Western , Spanish horror and thrillers , such as : Mara Cruz , Hugo Blanco , María Elena Arpón , María Kosty , Eduardo Calvo, Ramón Centenero , Beni Deus , Eduardo Calvo and Carlos Romero Marchent who used to play films of his brothers Rafael and Joaquin Romero Marchent . And special mention for Paul Naschy or Jacinto Molina as a ring leader who is acting with such impunity by using extremely violent means.
It contains an exciting and jazzy musical score by Anton Garcia Abril . Atmospheric cinematography by Miguel Mila , though being necessary a alright remastering because of the film copy is worn-out , being shot on a lot of locations in Aranjuez, Torrelodones, Madrid, Spain and Estoril, Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal . The motion picture produced and written by Antonio Vilar himself was professionally directed in his own personal style by Rafael Romero Marchent . Rafael Romero Marchent was born on May 3, 1926 in Madrid, Spain. He is a director and actor, known for Garringo, Un Dolar de Recompensa , or Manos Torpes . Rafael Romero Marchent was brother of Joaquin Luis Romero , who was the first to shoot Westerns in Spain . At first, Rafael Romero began in films as an actor, but when his career began to wane, he preferred to spend time behind the camera . Rafael is an expert writer and director of Spaghetti Western as proved in ¨Two crosses on Danger Pass¨, Cry for revenge¨, ¨Two guns for two twins¨ and ¨Sartana Kills Them All¨ or ¨Un par Asesinos¨. While his brother Joaquin Marchent is deemed the Paella Western's best director , his first film was ¨El Coyote¨ and the sequel titled ¨Revenge of Coyote¨ shot in Mexico ; after that , he filmed ¨The shadow of Zorro¨ and ¨Revenge of Zorro¨, he went go directing Western as ¨ Riding to death ¨ , ¨Adventures in the West¨ , ¨Three good men¨, ¨Sabor Venganza ¨ and the most popular and violent ¨Condenados a Vivir¨ . Plus , he wrote for his brother Rafael Romero Marchent the followings Western : ¨Manos Torpes¨, ¨Ocaso Un Pistolero¨ , ¨Garringo¨ , ¨Dos Cruces en Danger Pass¨ and ¨Sartana Kills Them All¨. Rating : 5,5/10 . Passable and acceptable , though contains some flaws and gaps ; however , resulting to be entertaining enough . Worthwhile watching for Spanish thriller aficionados.
