The Illness from Spain 1918
The Illness from Spain (1918), a Portuguese silent comedy directed by José Leitão de Barros, delivers a sharp satire of bourgeois hypocrisy on a sun-drenched beach.
Director: José Leitão de Barros
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Illness from Spain (1918) about?
This silent comedy pokes fun at a bourgeois man's outrage over a harmless beachside encounter, only to turn around and restrict his own daughter's romantic prospects. It's a playful yet pointed critique of double standards in early 20th-century society.
Who directed The Illness from Spain?
The film was directed by José Leitão de Barros, a pioneer of Portuguese cinema known for blending humor with social observation.
Who stars in The Illness from Spain?
The film features Beatriz Viana, Joaquim Costa, José Azambuja, Laura Costa, and Sofia Santos in key roles.
Is The Illness from Spain (1918) worth watching?
As a rare surviving silent comedy from Portugal, it's a charming time capsule of early filmmaking and social satire. Though unrated, its historical value and breezy runtime make it a curious watch for silent film enthusiasts.
How long is The Illness from Spain?
The Illness from Spain runs for 19 minutes.
The Illness from Spain (1918): A Satirical Comedy of Manners
The Illness from Spain (1918), a Portuguese silent comedy directed by José Leitão de Barros, delivers a sharp satire of bourgeois hypocrisy on a sun-drenched beach. The story unfolds as a married man's scandalized reaction to a simple glance at a woman's ankles sets off a chain of absurd double standards. Later, he enforces the same rigid morality on his daughter, who longs to reunite with a young man met at the same seaside spot, exposing the era's rigid social conventions with biting humor.
With a runtime of just 19 minutes, this early Portuguese comedy thrives on its minimalist storytelling and witty social commentary. Beatriz Viana and Joaquim Costa lead the cast, embodying the tension between tradition and desire in a coastal setting where every rule seems designed to be broken.