The Executioner (1963)

Set against the backdrop of Spain's early 1960s, a period when the death penalty was a grim reality, our tale unfurls around an aging executioner, a man who bears the weight of an unpopular profession with dignity and pride in tradition. As the sands of time drag him closer to retirement, the executioner, a surprisingly gentle and caring soul, is plagued by concerns over who will inherit his loathed mantle. His daughter, a woman destined to remain unmarried due to the shadow cast by her father's trade, becomes an unexpected ray of hope. Enters a young, handsome undertaker, equally shunned by society for his profession. Their shared solitude draws them together, creating a peculiar love story between the woman no man would marry and the man no woman would wed. However, the executioner's blessing for their union comes with a chilling condition. The undertaker must promise to step into the executioner's shoes upon his retirement. Despite his initial trepidation, the undertaker is reassured by the old executioner's words: "Don't worry, they sentence people, but, in the last moment, they're going to pardon them!". Meanwhile, the looming prospect of their inherited home hinges on whether the young couple can stomach the social stigma and personal dread attached to the executioner's profession. As the plot thickens, the undertaker, caught between love and dread, must grapple with the possibility of having to enforce the death sentence himself. Yet, he clings onto the hope that he may never have to perform an execution. "The Executioner" is thus a unique blend of love, tradition, and moral dilemma, a tale that explores the depths of societal judgement and the lengths one would go for love and survival.

The Executioner is a comedy movie featuring Nino Manfredi.

The Executioner is currently streaming on BritBox, Britbox Apple TV Channel and Criterion Channel.

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