The Executioner (1963)
Nino Manfredi: José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador
Photos
Quotes
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Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version] They say the garrote is inhuman. Don't make me laugh! Is the guillotine better? You think it's right to bury a man in pieces?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I don't know much about it.
Amadeo, el verdugo : Because you're a good man. We must respect the condemned. They've suffered enough as it is. And those Americans! Give me your hand. Stick your fingers in here. See? You're scared. And that's only 120 volts.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Father, I'm trying to iron!
Amadeo, el verdugo : Well, the electric chair uses thousands of volts. It leaves them burned black! Where's the humanity in their famous electric chair?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I think people should die at home in bed.
Amadeo, el verdugo : Of course! But if the law imposes a sentence, someone has to carry it out.
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Álvarez, el enterrador : [subtitled version]
[José Luis has just mediated the fight between two men in the street]
Álvarez, el enterrador : What happened?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : They were fighting. In a flash it can turn into a violent crime.
Álvarez, el enterrador : So?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Have you forgotten my new job?
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Álvarez, el enterrador : [subtitled version] Did you see the executioner? They were paying him. How much you think he gets?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : How would I know? Actually, he looks like a normal person. If we met in a café, I'd never suspect. I liked the guy.
Álvarez, el enterrador : Really?
[pointing at the coffin]
Álvarez, el enterrador : Ask this guy if he felt the same way.
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Portera : [subtitled version] What is it?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [trying to give her the bag with the garrote he carries] I just wanted to leave...
Portera : [looking at the bag] Door C.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [keeping on trying to give her the bag] It's for Mr. Amadeo.
Portera : You're not leaving anything with me. This is a respectable building.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Listen, I have nothing to do with this!
Portera : [doing wild gesticulation] Fine!
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Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version] You've got very steady work.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I'd prefer to go to Germany and study to be a mechanic.
Amadeo, el verdugo : Why? Your job's so secure. Never any lack of work.
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José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [subtitled version]
[after a washing truck outside the house wets the two brothers through the open window]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Stupid jerk! You do the same thing every day! We have plenty of water, asshole!
Antonio Rodríguez, el hermano mayor de José Luis : [talking to Estefanía] Keep the windows closed, honey!
Estefanía : No! With this crowd, we have to air out the place.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I bathe regularly!
Estefanía : I don't mean that. It's certain other odors that are too much to bear.
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Álvarez, el enterrador : [while Amadeo, José Luis, Carmen, Álvarez and his wife Ignacia are in a picnic in the country] We should come out here in the van every Sunday. It's delightful here.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Yes, but what about the duties...? Everybody who dies on Sunday should go to jail!
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Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version]
[while at a picnic in the country]
Amadeo, el verdugo : Young people today want to be free!
Álvarez, el enterrador : Of course.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Yeah, free to put up with my sister-in-law, the old bag!
Amadeo, el verdugo : Careful! A fellow poisoned his sister-in-law three years ago...
Álvarez, el enterrador : And you finished him off.
Amadeo, el verdugo : Of course.
Álvarez, el enterrador : Tell me about it.
Amadeo, el verdugo : But your wife...
Álvarez, el enterrador : Don't worry. She's out like a light. Now, about that guy...?
Amadeo, el verdugo : It didn't go smoothly.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Father, we just ate!
Amadeo, el verdugo : [while he wraps a newspaper leaf] He had a neck like a bull. So the irons were too small.
Álvarez, el enterrador : That's for sure.
Amadeo, el verdugo : [putting the wrapped leaf onto Álvarez's neck] You have to put them... Lift your head up.
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José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [subtitled version]
[while listening to radio music from a picnic couple in the country]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Shall we dance?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : All right.
[they start dancing]
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : I should go to France.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Why not Germany? We could go together.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : It doesn't matter. Anywhere to get away. I'm so unhappy.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Why? You're a nice-looking woman.
[he softly puts his hand over her breast]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : If there's anything I can do, just tell me.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [she takes apart his hand from her breast] Can't you see? When guys find out I'm the executioner's daughter, they take off running.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Is that all? Same here! Women run at the word "undertaker." We have the same disease!
Hombre de la radio : [the couple with the radio leave the place upset] If they want to dance, let 'em bring their own music!
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [starts whistling a song while they keep on dancing] Carmen, you like the view?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : It's a beautiful landscape.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Where would you like to die?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Die? Me? I don't know.
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Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [subtitled version]
[Amadeo enters his home while José Luis is in bed; he rushes to hide behind the bedroom door. Carmen gets out of the kitchen and listens for a long time her father talking about an apartment he's found]
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Father, I love José Luis.
Amadeo, el verdugo : That's fine. He's a decent, reliable young man.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : He's here. He wants to talk to you.
Amadeo, el verdugo : Here? Where?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [she points at the bedroom] In there.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [Amadeo goes to the bedroom and finds José Luis soaking his front with a wet cloth] I have a terrible headache.
Amadeo, el verdugo : You have a headache... and you're barefoot. You scoundrel! You rat!
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I know you may be thinking the worst...
Amadeo, el verdugo : [talking to José Luis] Get dressed! I was so happy!
[talking to his daughter]
Amadeo, el verdugo : Shameless girl! In my own home, naked!
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Stop exaggerating! I'm not naked.
Amadeo, el verdugo : What will the neighbors think?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : I don't care what they think! They've done nothing but criticize us. You know, if I'm not careful, I'll die an old maid. Father... José Luis isn't a cad.
Amadeo, el verdugo : I was so happy. The happiest day of my life, and you two ruined it.
[talking to José Luis]
Amadeo, el verdugo : Especially you. I can't believe it.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I assure you, sir: I didn't do anything.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [talking to her father] Your coffee.
Amadeo, el verdugo : [he pushes the coffee and spills it] There's just one solution.
[as he leaves the hall]
Amadeo, el verdugo : What a shame! With those views! You could see the mountains.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Why'd you tell him I was here?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : It's better this way. If he'd found you by surprise, he'd have killed you.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Carmen, should I go?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : No, wait. You have to talk to him.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Me? What do I say?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : I don't know. Say we're getting married.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Getting married...
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Just to calm him down, damn it! Even if it's a lie.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [He goes to the door while Carmen goes to the bedroom, sits on the bed and watches him and then follows him stealthily with great attention] Mr. Amadeo, I'm a good man. My intentions are good. I have news that will make you even happier than the apartment. Sir, I'd like to marry
[his trousers fall off]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Carmen.
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José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [subtitled version]
[Carmen goes to the funeral home to meet José Luis]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Couldn't you wait at home? I'm working! I have to get this running.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [she gives him a written paper] Here.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Is it yes or no?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Yes.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : "Positive reaction."
[a brass band that's been hired for the next funeral starts playing a funny tune]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : So it's for sure? Maybe they're wrong. Last year they said I had typhus when it was chicken pox.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Don't worry. We'll do whatever you want.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Sure, sure. I've gotta go to Germany! In a year I could be a mechanic and dump this job forever. How can I do that now?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : If you're saying it's my fault...
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : "Your fault."
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : So what do you suggest we do?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I could go to Germany alone and call you as soon as I find a job.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : And the baby?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : The baby... Grandchild of an executioner.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : What's my father got to do with it?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Just that if it takes after its grandfather, better it not be born at all.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Don't say that.
[she rejects José Luis's hand, turns around and walks to the wall]
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : [he takes a flower from a wreath for the next funeral and gives it to her]
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José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [subtitled version]
[at the church where Carmen and him just got married]
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : You could have worn a different suit for your daughter's wedding.
Amadeo, el verdugo : It's practically new. I've only worn it three times in five years.
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Sacristán : [subtitled version]
[after the wedding]
Sacristán : Where are the witnesses?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Antonio. Antonio...!
Estefanía : [Antonio and Estefanía are leaving in a sidecar motorcycle] Hurry up. Goddamn motorcycle!
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : You have to sign! You can't snub us like this!
[he holds on to the motorcycle and it runs in circles]
Estefanía : [the motorcycle stops] I'm not eating with that monster! Let's go!
Antonio Rodríguez, el hermano mayor de José Luis : Listen, we came to church, but that man is just...
Estefanía : We're decent people!
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Please! You have to sign!
Estefanía : Don't sign anything. A signature is forever.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : If you don't sign, the marriage isn't valid.
Antonio Rodríguez, el hermano mayor de José Luis : I'll sign, but that's it! You wouldn't listen before. Now you go your way and we go ours.
[he goes back to the church pushed by José Luis]
Estefanía : Don't sign! You'll bring shame on your children. Antonio, come back. He'll destroy your life! It'll only bring trouble! Listen to me. *Don't sign!*
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Amadeo, el verdugo : [subtitled version]
[Amadeo and José Luis are about to enter the ministry of employment office to process José Luis's job as an executioner]
Amadeo, el verdugo : You must always look sharp in government offices. Let's go.
[talking to his daughter]
Amadeo, el verdugo : Wait for us here.
[José Luis turns around]
Amadeo, el verdugo : What's wrong? What is it? What's the matter?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I can't do it.
Amadeo, el verdugo : Then why'd we come? Did we agree or not? Then let's go. You're not committing yourself by going inside. Carmen, say something.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Yes, what do you say?
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Do as you think best, darling. Don't worry about me. I was only thinking of the baby.
Amadeo, el verdugo : Let's go.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : It's the only solution. See you later, darling. I'm going sale shopping for clothes for the baby. And shirts for you. What's your size?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : I don't remember.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : You don't remember! Father, what's his neck size?
Amadeo, el verdugo : [he takes a look at José Luis's neck] Forty-one.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : That's right.
Carmen, la hija de Amadeo : Okay. Bye.
[as they slowly go to the office, she goes away walking with difficulty due to her advanced state of pregnancy]
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José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [subtitled version] Well, I'll be going. The van's waiting.
Amadeo, el verdugo : [referring to the dead man in the van] Oh, right. The poor guy. How did he look to you?
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : [stupefied] Very... normal. Calm and... serene.
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Álvarez, el enterrador : [subtitled version]
[José Luis and Álvarez get out of the bank in undertaker's uniforms. José Luis is yet an executioner]
Álvarez, el enterrador : Well, I guess I'm the dummy here.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : Why?
Álvarez, el enterrador : You met Carmen because of me. Now you're living it up with an apartment, a motorcycle, and a plum job.
José Luis Rodríguez, el enterrador : You can apply too. There's an opening in Málaga.
