The Day of the Beast
(El día de la bestia)
Screening on Film
Directed by Alex de la Iglesia.
With Álex Angulo, Armando de Razza, Santiago Segura.
Spain/Italy, 1995, 35mm, color, 99 min.
Spanish with English subtitles.
With Álex Angulo, Armando de Razza, Santiago Segura.
Spain/Italy, 1995, 35mm, color, 99 min.
Spanish with English subtitles.
A Basque priest who has been studying the Apocalypse according to St. John for 25 years comes to the inescapable conclusion that the Antichrist will be born on Christmas Day 1999 in Madrid. Unfortunately, the priest can't tell exactly where. So, helped by the only people who believe him (a chunky metal head and a TV psychic), he decides to commit a series of crimes in hopes it will lead him to the baby Satan. Shot on the streets of Madrid at night and with over-the-top art direction, The Day of the Beast is a devilishly entertaining, visually dazzling film, and one of the highest grossing in Spain's history. – Brattle Theatre