User reviews

In today's Spain, so politically inclined to the extreme left, it is fashionable to criticize the films that were made during the regime of Francisco Franco. Of course not all films done in Spain in the post Civil War period (1936-1975) were good, just as not all films done during the present "democracy" are good either. I hope that some day in the future common sense prevails and Spanish films will be judged by art and not by politics.

In reference to "Pequeñeces", it was filmed by CIFESA in the backdrop of a strong and highly organized film industry that worked very similar to the Hollywood studios of the same era. CIFESA had under contract, a magnificent roster of writers, technicians, producers, directors, and actors who worked constantly in the many productions filmed every year for distribution in Spain and all over the world, most especially Latin America. Consequently, "Pequeñeces" boasts of impressive production values as it recreated in great detail the world of aristocracy during the last days of King Amadeus of Savoy and the revolt that ousted him. The cinematography by Theodore J. Pahle is superb in spite of the very difficult sets he had to photograph, but I found the soundtrack music by Juan Quintero sometimes too heavy and intrusive. The script based on the novel by Father Luis Coloma is as baroque as the novel itself. I was surprised that a priest could have written such a risqué story whose main characters are a bunch of unlikable perverts. You will see a ruthless evil mother (Curra Albornoz, played by Aurora Bautista), a degenerate playboy (Jacobo Tellez played by Jorge Mistral), rampant adultery by all, a valueless, corrupt, pleasure-seeking aristocracy, inordinate sexual passions, assassins, a high end prostitute (Monique played by Sarita Montiel) and even an obviously gay character (Frasquito played by the great Félix Fernández).

You probably ask: all that during the terrible days of Franco's censorship? Yes indeed, and more. Of course towards the end, all the sinners receive their just punishment for their behavior, and you either think the punishment was not enough, or you simply don't care after sitting for over two hours watching all the mayhem. Although overlong and episodic, "Pequeñeces" -directed with military precision by Juan de Orduña- should be seen at least once. And, by all means, continue watching Spanish films made in the 1930´s, 1940´s, 1950´s and 1960´s and your life will be enrich by the many cinematic gems that were made in that golden era.

The novel by Luis Coloma "Triffles" -Pequeñeces"- was chosen as the third vehicle for the duo Aurora Bautista-Juan de Orduña. It is not only too long but the best you can say about it is that the settings by Sigfrid Burman and the costumes are excellent. It has no passion at all and Ms Bautista does what she can but it is too much for her. A giant and distinguished cast cant save the day. To begin with, the antiques of Coloma are part today of sociology but not of literature. On the other hand, it is quite understandable for the producers -CIFESA- to have picked up a moral fable coherent with Franco's regime to avoid censorship. Unfortunately it is too long to bear and the punishment of Curra quite whimsical. All in all, it is a movie to study what sort of products were successful under Franco. Juan de Orduña is too busy with the settings to direct the actors and Ms. Bautista got fed up with these old-fashioned melos. She called it quits. Pity such an actress was linked to Franco's regime because her talent allowed her to keep on working until the 21st century -cfr. "Tiovivo"- proving she was and is one of the most interesting personalities of Spanish screen. abel posadas