21/41

Ron Perlman tried this, but Guillermo del Toro found his reading completely unusable

Tale

A mysterious device designed to grant its owner eternal life reappears after four hundred years, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. In an interview included in the Criterion edition of this film, Ron Perlman talks about how Angel was meant to speak fluent Spanish. So the character was changed to an expatriate American who hates being in Mexico so much that what little Spanish he does speak is deliberately spoken badly. When Jesús searches for Aurora after she takes Cronos, as he walks through two doors, he stops. . Behind him, reflected in the glass of the door, are the crew and equipment..

Featured in Masters of Horror (2002)

[discussing why Deiter wants Cronos] Jesus Gris: He thinks it will help him live longer. Angel de la Guardia: [laughs] That bastard does nothing but shit and piss all day and wants to live longer? Explicit nudity was added in the US video release. While the main American theatrical version contains a prologue and patches of dialogue in English, a secondary market version will be entirely in Spanish. Die Schöne MüllerinFranz SchubertArrangement: Charlotte Georg (as Lee Ashley) BMIEditor: BMI Software Music Courtesy of Capitol Productions Music – Ole Georg. Some of the most imaginative films originate in Mexico.

This one is no exception

When Jesus Gris, an old antique dealer, opens the base of an ancient statue, a golden object in the shape of a large beetle escapes. This mechanically activated object can grip a human arm and inject a magical fluid that can prolong life. The early scenes, as the camera moves around the treasures in the antique dealer, set the mood and draw us into the story. Each piece seems to hold a special secret. When the mechanical beetle suddenly grabs the old man’s forearm, we can feel the excruciating pain as he screams and see the sharp legs pierce his skin. Then comes the injection through the scorpion-like tail.

(What a relief!)

Terror reigns until he dislodges the device. Now it’s time for the miracle to happen! The excellent makeup of the main character as this horror story unfolds makes it almost believable at times. The sincerity of the acting between the old man and the little granddaughter who plays about the shop makes for a truly warm and loving relationship. (Where do I find such wonderful child actors?). Evil is portrayed by the cruel Dieter de la Guardia and his henchmen who set out to steal this ancient invention of the alchemists.

They make a terrifyingly fascinating and ominous sound as they get to do their mysterious work

Much of the film’s excitement is provided by a chase through the upper rooms and onto the rooftops (truly edge of your seat viewing!). One of the most unforgettable scenes is the close-up view of the golden gears whirring from inside the device. Moviegoers who have a horror of hypodermic needles should probably skip the film, but you brave souls will enjoy the age-old theme of the search for the secret to eternal life.