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Matador Details

1986 DVD Certificate 18.gif
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 3700 members

This twisted, brave, funny film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar takes an unflinching look at the link between sex, death, and religion. Antonio Banderas stars as Angel, a sensitive student of matador Diego (Nacho Martinez), whose goring at the horns of a bull has left him obsessed with killing. In order to prove his .. Read more

Starring Assumpta Serna, Antonio Banderas, Carmen Maura, Eva Cobo
Director Pedro Almodovar
Genres Drama, World Cinema

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Matador

This twisted, brave, funny film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar takes an unflinching look at the link between sex, death, and religion. Antonio Banderas stars as Angel, a sensitive student of matador Diego (Nacho Martinez), whose goring at the horns of a bull has left him obsessed with killing. In order to prove his manhood to Diego, the misguided Angel tries to rape his model girlfriend (Eva Cobo), and when that fails, he confesses to a string of murders he didn't commit. Maria (Assumpta Serna), a mysterious, attractive lawyer, takes his case but winds up falling for Diego, revealing some dark secrets of her own. The pair begin a beautifully doomed romance as a police inspector (Eusebio Poncela) begins to fathom who the real killer, or killers, may be. This was the fifth film from the talented Almodovar, and it reveals a true genius at work in his use of symbolic color, structure, metaphor, and homage to Hitchcock and Welles. MATADOR is fast-moving, disturbing, erotic, and undeniably brilliant in a way most American audiences may not be prepared for but should certainly seek out. Almodovar regulars Carmen Maura, Julietta Serano, Chus Lampreave, and Veronica Forque costar.

Starring Assumpta Serna, Antonio Banderas, Carmen Maura, Eva Cobo, Vernica Forque, Nacho Martinez
Director Pedro Almodovar
Studio PALISADES TARTAN
Run time DVD: 1 hr 32 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate 18.gif
Genres Drama, World Cinema
Language Spanish
Subtitles English
Released DVD: 09 Oct 2000
Production year: 1986
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (4) of Matador

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Flashy, trashy and vibrantly colourful, Pedro Almodóvar's film echoes the stylised melodramatics of such 1950s directors as Douglas Sirk to explore the links between eroticism and violence. Antonio Banderas gives a courageous performance as the trainee bullfighter whose overpowering fantasies and sexual misdemeanours prompt him to confess to a series of killings, while Assumpta Serna, Nacho Martinez and Carmen Maura do well in the face of some laughably pretentious dialogue. There are some interesting themes, but Almodóvar is too preoccupied with voyeuristic titillation and cheap black comedy to develop them with any conviction.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • "....Almodovar's directorial fluency and daring in MATADOR confirm him as the most interesting and exciting film-maker working in Spain today..."

    • Sight and Sound
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of Matador

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  • 18 out of 18 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Blood sacrifice

    If you want to understand how modern Spain looks forward yet brings the past along, this film is a great introduction. Slowly, Almodovar strips away the layers of respectability and authority to reveal the earthy soul of his country. Angel, the student matador, grows from a mere sad case to the vehicle through which other characters' undersides are revealed. The use of tradition, open attitudes to sexuality and new slants on ultimate, unconditional love make this a must. Go click.

      • caballero from London
      • Posted 20 Jul 2004 02:03

  • Most recent members' review of Matador

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Not his best, but classic Almodovar. Antonio Banderas is brilliantly brooding and weird, and the film is beautifully made.

      • Samantha#101 from LONDON
      • Posted 28 Sep 2004 11:39

  • News and features

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    Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown

    Banderas joins the Walk of Fame

    • 19 Oct 2005

    Antonio Banderas has become the latest actor to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Spanish-born actor, who arrived in the US 16 years ago, got down on his knees and affectionately rubbed the star that confirms his status among the film industry's elite. Banderas said: "It was an honour and privilege to arrive to this country 16 years ago with almost no money in my pocket. A lot has happened since then." He was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Melanie Griffith, his Read more

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      • This twisted, brave, funny film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar takes an unflinching look at the link between sex, death, and religion. Antonio Banderas stars as Angel, a sensitive student of ...