Romasanta
A werewolf film based on Spain's first documented serial killer.
Romasanta is a 2004 horror film directed by Paco Plaza, produced as a Spanish-Italian-British co-production. It stars Julian Sands, Elsa Pataky and John Sharian, and is based on the true story of Manuel Blanco Romasanta, Spain's first documented serial killer. The film was released on DVD by Lion's Gate Entertainment under the title Werewolf Hunt.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Paco Plaza
- Producer
- Julio Fernández; Brian Yuzna
- Writer
- Elena Serra; Alberto Marini
- Story
- Alfredo Conde
- Starring
- Julian Sands
- Elsa Pataky
- John Sharian
- Music
- Mikel Salas
- Cinematography
- Javiar Salmones
- Editing
- David Gallart
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The script was written by Alfredo Conde, a descendant of one of the doctors involved in the original Werewolf of Allariz court case.
- The same case previously provided the basis for the 1968 Spanish film El bosque del lobo.
- Conde also wrote a fictional novel titled The Uncertain Memoirs of a Galician Wolfman: Romasanta.
Reception
Jonathan Holland of Variety praised the cinematography, visual and audio effects, and the performances of Sands and Pataky, but found the romance underdeveloped and the script lacking dramatic focus. Jon Condit of Dread Central rated the film four out of five, commending its gothic atmosphere and historical and scientific context while criticizing slow pacing. Felix Vasquez of Cinema Crazed gave a mostly positive review, calling it a grim and original take on lycanthropy, though noting plot holes and confusing characterizations. Jeremy Wheeler of AllMovie praised the cinematography, production values, special effects, and performances. The film received two Goya Award nominations (Best Cinematography and Best Special Effects) and two Barcelona Film Award nominations (Best Film Editing and Best New Director).
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