This is a contemplative but powerful drama with scarce dialogue and where the movie relies on the absolute amazing photography and great acting of Mario Casas and Irene Escolar. It's a story about loneliness, hardship and survival in the rural northern country side of Spain in late 19th century that depicts the relationship between a trapper and his young wife. The lack of dialogue creates an atmosphere that is contagious and transfers the emotional state of the characters to the perfection. Extermely well done, Bravo!
65 Reviews
Interesting story, but obviously confused many viewers.
jfbbcsjrqg9 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The consensus here seems to be that the hunter is the real villain here, but that's entirely wrong. The man who decided to pimp out not one, but two daughters, under false pretenses no less to a him for money is the real personification of evil in this film. Especially when he's caught lying and misrepresenting the first, he encourages the second daughter to commit a capital crime to help save him from his prior mistakes and even provides her with the items necessary to make it happen. It's a tragedy of missed opportunities from start to finish. At any step along the way, a decision to be honorable instead of choosing the path of deceit, and all the pain and suffered endured along the way could have been avoided, apart from maybe the eldest daughter's mistake, made before the start of the film, which led her father down a dark path that even he couldn't have predicted.
Visually beautiful, but empty story.
Horror_Flick_Fanatic30 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
When I watched the trailer, Leonardo DiCaprio's Revenant immediately came to my mind. This film cinematography is very much of similar quality that I couldn't help making visual comparisons.
Visually, it's a very beautiful film to watch. But, the screenplay was seriously lacking a good story. While the Revenant is a story about survival against the odds, Bajo la piel de lobo never really establishes a core theme. The story just seemed pointless. Had the second wife stayed with him and made a life with this mountain man, then we could establish the theme is about redemption, forgiveness, acceptance and being misunderstood. But because she doesn't, the film just falls off a sharp cliff into nowhere.
It's a shame because cinematography is masterful, but the screenplay makes it spiral down to earth. I give it a 6 out of 10 because of the great camera work. If I disregarded the cinematography, I might have given it a 2 or 3 out of 10
Visually, it's a very beautiful film to watch. But, the screenplay was seriously lacking a good story. While the Revenant is a story about survival against the odds, Bajo la piel de lobo never really establishes a core theme. The story just seemed pointless. Had the second wife stayed with him and made a life with this mountain man, then we could establish the theme is about redemption, forgiveness, acceptance and being misunderstood. But because she doesn't, the film just falls off a sharp cliff into nowhere.
It's a shame because cinematography is masterful, but the screenplay makes it spiral down to earth. I give it a 6 out of 10 because of the great camera work. If I disregarded the cinematography, I might have given it a 2 or 3 out of 10
Acts of tenderness
cdel10101 March 2020
It is not accurate to call the main character a brute.
Acts of tenderness:
He spares the wolf who sneaks up on him to tell him that something is wrong at home.
He caresses a small goat.
He nurses his wife back to health.
He helps his wife carry her bag up the mountain.
He prepares breakfast for his wife when he learns that she is pregnant.
He builds, not one but, two cribs.
There are many more examples!
A photography lesson about the story of a rude man
imursel2 September 2018
Leave aside the story that has been used so many times on the hegemony on women. But the most important point of the film is the photography. the shots tell us the film with a photographic aesthetics that could be a lesson about how to use this art in cinema. the photos remind us of those paintings of the Dutch Renaissance style. moreover, during the film, the story that based on violence and exploitation of women remains so.
Downbeat and dramatic film about a rough and violent mountain man
ma-cortes19 June 2021
Late 19th century , a unfriendly mountain man called Martinon : Mario Casas lives alone in the mountains , exception for when he goes down to the nearest village , there is advised by his only friend Severino : Kandido Uranga to marry a local girl . Martinon then decides to buy a wife from a countryman : Josean Bengoetxea, as the latter in exchange of a lot of furs , he gives him his daughter Pascuala : Ruth Díaz . As she is his unwilling woman to live with him in a remote cabin in the woods.
A solid but uneven and slow-moving film with exciting events , emotion , violence , thrills and long love scenes . The picture narrates the odyssey of a rough , unkind trapper living lonely , subsequently the highlander buys a wife to relieve his loneliness . The flick bears remarkable resemblance to "The Trap" 1966 by Sydney Hayers with Rita Tushingam and Oliver Reed in a similar role to Mario Casas who gives a decent interpretation . It displays colorful and gorgeous cinematography by Aitor Mantxola with outdoors from Huesca , Aragon Pyrenees, showing splendidly winty wilderness , wildlife and lush forests . As well as sensitive and evocative musical score by Paloma Peñarrubia. The motion picture was professional but slowly directed by Samuel Fuentes , in his feauture film debut , he previously was director assistant. Rating : 5.5/10 . Passable and acceptable . The flick will appeal to Mario Casas fans.
A solid but uneven and slow-moving film with exciting events , emotion , violence , thrills and long love scenes . The picture narrates the odyssey of a rough , unkind trapper living lonely , subsequently the highlander buys a wife to relieve his loneliness . The flick bears remarkable resemblance to "The Trap" 1966 by Sydney Hayers with Rita Tushingam and Oliver Reed in a similar role to Mario Casas who gives a decent interpretation . It displays colorful and gorgeous cinematography by Aitor Mantxola with outdoors from Huesca , Aragon Pyrenees, showing splendidly winty wilderness , wildlife and lush forests . As well as sensitive and evocative musical score by Paloma Peñarrubia. The motion picture was professional but slowly directed by Samuel Fuentes , in his feauture film debut , he previously was director assistant. Rating : 5.5/10 . Passable and acceptable . The flick will appeal to Mario Casas fans.
Yawn fest in the mountains of boredom.
sadak759917 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
An unfriendly and unpleasant guy lives in the wilderness hunting wolves. Sometimes he walks down to a valley in the mountains to sell furs and have extremely short and uninteresting conversations with other unfriendly and uninteresting people in a village. His lifestyle is in conflict with the relationship with his wife. That's all. The argument is a spoiler on itself.
Intentionally, the script does not provide any information or context about the characters. Even when the main character sells fur, the currency used is just "coins". Given the weapons used by the hunter, maybe is around 1920-1930. It does not matter, it just wanted to present an unespecified past without modern communications technology and modern regulation, and more available wild Nature.
The lack of real adventure, context or interesting characters wrecks the intention of the authors to show the dehumanization of the main character in the wild Nature. The result is a really boring movie, but with a very beautiful photography (that's why I gave it 4 out of 10)
Intentionally, the script does not provide any information or context about the characters. Even when the main character sells fur, the currency used is just "coins". Given the weapons used by the hunter, maybe is around 1920-1930. It does not matter, it just wanted to present an unespecified past without modern communications technology and modern regulation, and more available wild Nature.
The lack of real adventure, context or interesting characters wrecks the intention of the authors to show the dehumanization of the main character in the wild Nature. The result is a really boring movie, but with a very beautiful photography (that's why I gave it 4 out of 10)
A powerful and thought-provoking film!
ribeiroavelar14 January 2023
A powerful and thought-provoking film that tells the story of Martinón, a man who lives in a ghost town in the high mountains, and his struggles with identity, family, and relationships. Set in the late 19th century, the film paints a raw and gritty portrait of life in the mountains and the harsh conditions people had to endure.
The film is written and directed by Samu Fuentes and stars Mario Casas as Martinón, a rude man of few words. Casas delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Martinón, making the audience feel his pain and confusion. The supporting cast performs strongly, particularly Irene Escolar, who plays Adela.
The film's cinematography is also noteworthy. Natural lighting and landscapes give the film a sense of realism and intimacy, making the audience feel right there with the characters. The film's story is also very well written, tackling complex themes of identity, family, and culture.
The film also deals with isolation and how it can affect people's lives and relationships.
Bajo la Piel de Lobo is a film that should be noticed. It is a powerful, thought-provoking film with great performances, stunning cinematography, and a well-written story. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
The film is written and directed by Samu Fuentes and stars Mario Casas as Martinón, a rude man of few words. Casas delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Martinón, making the audience feel his pain and confusion. The supporting cast performs strongly, particularly Irene Escolar, who plays Adela.
The film's cinematography is also noteworthy. Natural lighting and landscapes give the film a sense of realism and intimacy, making the audience feel right there with the characters. The film's story is also very well written, tackling complex themes of identity, family, and culture.
The film also deals with isolation and how it can affect people's lives and relationships.
Bajo la Piel de Lobo is a film that should be noticed. It is a powerful, thought-provoking film with great performances, stunning cinematography, and a well-written story. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
Oliver Reed's "The Trap (1966)" remake but not better
housearrestedever22 May 2021
If you have watched Oliver Reed's 'The Trap (1966)', then this 2017 Spanish version is not as good as most the viewers commented. Yes, the camera works looked pretty modern, but the Spanish actor who played the loner simply is not on the same level as Oliver Reed who was more energetic and macho 100 times more. If you like this Spanish production, then I suggest you please try to find Oliver Reed's 1966 movie for a blast!
Beautifully shot and well Dorected
tuggspeedman-1821121 October 2018
What's the point?
horizon200816 July 2018
It's hard to understand what the director was going for with this film. At the beginning you spend a lot of time with the lead character as he tries to survive the hardships of living a solitary life up in an abandoned village at the top of a mountain, but even from the off the guy is pretty horrible and quite disgusting and you just can't bring yourself to have any sympathy for him. When he was eating I continually felt my stomach heave as pigs in a sty make less noise eating than he did, and when he was working he made this animalistic wheeze which was also quite sickening. When he eventually decides to take a woman, and I mean take a woman, from the village down the mountain, things don't work out so well and from here I just wanted someone to gut the horrible oaf and be done with it. I won't even go into the sex scenes which were clearly more of a rape than anything humanistic. Maybe this is how men are expected to be seen in Spain, like macho neanderthal cavemen, I really dont know, or maybe it was just bad film making where the director didn't know how to add some balance so we could at least see some likeability in his main man, but no, the guy was hateful, unlikeable, and I felt no connection with him whatsoever. The movie was kinda dull after a while too I must say.
Incredibly Powerful
kevingibbins16 July 2018
This film blew me away. Not only was the cinematography exceptional, the score lent itself perfectly to the stark yet beautiful surrounds. Mario Casas played the mountain man perfectly, an uncultured and uncouth brute who intimidates all who come before him. A man out of time living in tune with wild nature. The film evokes the sense that the modern world is a veil, and that nature is a brutal yet beautiful mistress, it resonated with me because modern people have forgotten what is necessary to survive within the natural world. His constant work, his constant prowling, he leaps off the screen part animal and part man. He could be the earliest homo sapien living in the Paleolithic.
Yet in his one true friend in the village, in his small acts of affection, in his final act of mercy, and in his rare emotions, the viewer glimpses something which is uniquely human, both of nature and set apart from it. Despite his wild and solitary nature, his true heart is revealed in subtle and clever ways. Both director and actor carry this off masterfully. The only reason I don't give this 10/10 is because I thought that even a mountain man would recognize that verbal communication and affection were important, a small oversight in the screenplay imo, but all in this was a thought provoking, and quite touching insight into the human condition. If you enjoy thought provoking, beautifully shot and acted films which evoke real feeling, I recommend this.
Yet in his one true friend in the village, in his small acts of affection, in his final act of mercy, and in his rare emotions, the viewer glimpses something which is uniquely human, both of nature and set apart from it. Despite his wild and solitary nature, his true heart is revealed in subtle and clever ways. Both director and actor carry this off masterfully. The only reason I don't give this 10/10 is because I thought that even a mountain man would recognize that verbal communication and affection were important, a small oversight in the screenplay imo, but all in this was a thought provoking, and quite touching insight into the human condition. If you enjoy thought provoking, beautifully shot and acted films which evoke real feeling, I recommend this.
Pyrenees Trapper in Search of Mate
Blue-Grotto19 August 2018
In some places you learn to survive without realizing it. The Pyrenees in the late1800s is such a place. Survival in this mountain wilderness demands constant focus and attention. Martinon, a brutish and solitary trapper, only comes into town to trade furs for supplies. In his latest run Martinon nonchalantly adds, as he would a sack of potatoes, a woman to the list. At least one of the pair is in for a rude awakening.
Mario Casas (Martinon) is something of a Spanish Mark Wahlberg. Since he appeared at the same Miami Film Festival screening I was at, I almost suffocated in the accompanying tide of estrogen! It is wonderful to behold the beauty of the Pyrenees scenery, waterfalls and changing seasons. The minimal dialogue of the film is fine, but this loss of conversational depth was not compensated for in other areas.
Mario Casas (Martinon) is something of a Spanish Mark Wahlberg. Since he appeared at the same Miami Film Festival screening I was at, I almost suffocated in the accompanying tide of estrogen! It is wonderful to behold the beauty of the Pyrenees scenery, waterfalls and changing seasons. The minimal dialogue of the film is fine, but this loss of conversational depth was not compensated for in other areas.
What's with all the chewing?
provomike11 June 2021
visually stunning
Kirpianuscus17 July 2018
It is the lead trait defining it. but not only. maybe, not the most significant. bitter and strange and useful and a poem -like. a film about loneliness in its most profound sense. the silence, the music, the photography, the landscapes, the close -up. each defining a profound special film. short, a film out of any description or definition. reflection of a state of soul. simple. and cold. perfect in each detail. a useful film. about a world from XIX century. but, in fact, a question about yourself. is it a masterpiece ? surrely, it is more.
Slow down and really watch this one or you will miss the point entirely.
chelsea_steiner22 November 2023
If you're looking for an action packed film with a happy ending this movie is not for you. It has a slow pace with very little dialogue. To really appreciate this film you have to be willing to slow down and watch carefully. Many reviews have made the main character, Martinon out to be a villain, uncaring and a beast of a man without a compassionate bone in his body. He is direct and needs a lesson in table manners and general social skills but underneath all that, if you take the time to really watch and understand this man and his experiences, it's evident that he can be gentle and kind and capable of great love if anyone had given him a chance. I don't write reviews very often but I felt strongly enough about this one that I just couldn't help myself.
HIDDEN IRONY.
andrewchristianjr11 August 2020
A Masterpiece...a gem....no sorry, this movie makes no sense!!
ggcarbone14 December 2020
One of the worst movies I've watched this year. Don't know what movie have watched those that call this "masterpiece". It is a kind of no-talking movie like Cast Away, but imagine no Tom Hanks, no plot and.... no movie!!
The only you will see is a good and repulsive Mario Casas acting, probably one of his best acting but in probably one of his worst movies. Some reviewers talks about a "message" or something... I couldn't find any "message" but just an empty movie and no plot. I want those 2 hours back!
If the Director made this movie to test the audience's patience, well, I'll like to inform Netflix and the Director that I watched the movie till the ending, so I'm officially requesting my prize!.
A Coarse Peasant Eats and Ruts ...
mrvanin21 July 2018
... like a free-range boar, except that he possesses enough vocabulary to occasionally give his woman some basic commands.
The character is played to perfection, if the intention is to portray a dull, unimaginative oaf who has not grasped the elementary basics of cohabiting with even one other human being, aside from "mating" with her crudely and evidently, quite painfully, according to the reaction of the object of his short-spanned attention.
The story is predictable and uninteresting - and I found no merit in it at all. The actors did everything that the director apparently wanted, so they cannot be faulted. I was unable to find any redeeming features other than the filming location - but that is not sufficient to earn more than one star. In my book, that rates it as unwatchable.
The character is played to perfection, if the intention is to portray a dull, unimaginative oaf who has not grasped the elementary basics of cohabiting with even one other human being, aside from "mating" with her crudely and evidently, quite painfully, according to the reaction of the object of his short-spanned attention.
The story is predictable and uninteresting - and I found no merit in it at all. The actors did everything that the director apparently wanted, so they cannot be faulted. I was unable to find any redeeming features other than the filming location - but that is not sufficient to earn more than one star. In my book, that rates it as unwatchable.
Incredible movie! Do not overlook.
alexandrovn14 July 2018
Great drama in the best traditions of the european movie! Great acting, powerfull scenario, wonderfull camera, panoramas, touching music. Everything in that movie is perfect. A masterpiece wich would make think about it days after seeing it! I wish the european movie could have the same efficiantg marketing as the american ones!I am lucky to have the possibility to see that genious work!Bravo!!!!!
Visually pleasing, narratively barren
bronwynbirkholz1 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
While musically and visually pleasing, this movie is absolutely built on a bare bones story that leaves one craving something more.
You get moments of beautiful serene scenery, but you get moments of watching the man eating and other scenes that just feel too long. You have to wonder where the director wanted it to go. You go through the movie and evolve absolutely no strong feelings besides maybe disgust for the main character, and you want the wives to succeed and escape him. I would love to say that there was more to this film, but it just doesn't seem to deep. It's a lonely gross man doing gross things to women. This one is worth a skip.
Beyond waste of time, almost toture !!
elvangoynuer24 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The film consists of three distinct parts, each with its own thematic focus. The first half of the movie is dedicated to depicting the most excruciatingly detailed sounds and visuals of a man eating while a pig slurps away in the background. The next quarter of the film explores animal instincts and sexuality with an unflinching and often gratuitous lens. The final quarter attempts to capture the beauty of nature and the solitude of the mountains, but ultimately falls short due to the disjointedness of the narrative. While there are a few scenes involving wolves that may be of interest to some viewers, they are few and far between. Overall, this film is a nearly unbearable one-and-a-half-hour-long auditory assault that leaves the audience with little to no intellectual stimulation or emotional engagement. It is a waste of both time and money, and fails to deliver any real message or artistic merit.
Are you kidding?
josephkorsak26 August 2018
Don't waste your time on it unless...
Martin125115 March 2020
... you are a some kind of a deviant.
I hate it when harm is done to a child or a woman.
The film is depicting it, sadly.
What is worst, it is done by the protagonist. And there is no point in this all.
No. The world is full of evil. I don't need to spend my leisure time on watching trash.
Apart from beautiful scenery... no, I won't write any more, it's not worth it.
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