Based on a novella written by prestigious novelist Eduardo Mendoza , this attractive film deals with Andrés (José Sacristán) who goes back his natal city , Valladolid , after a long time in South America where he was working as a teacher . Illegitimate son on of an upper-class military who abandoned his legal wife to join Andres's mother, a second-rate cupletist. The reason for his return is to take charge of a semi-ruinous mansion that is about to be declared a historic-artistic monument . There, Andres has complex relationships with his family , the old lawyer Don Dimas (Fernando Fernán Gomez) and his daughter Blanquita (Silvia Munt) . His advocate at law informs him about the will left by his late father . At first it seems that he's going to sell it quickly to his stepbrother Ramón (Fernando Vivanco) who plans to tear it down to build apartments , but the desire to discover the dark family secrets and above all, find out how his father passed away , whether he committed suicide or a murder , makes his stay in Valladolid more dilated than expected.
Soldados de plomo(1983) is an endearing and charming movie in which debutant director/veteran actor José Sacristán manages to create a story full of suspense , emotion , nostalgia , good feeling , and along the way , intelligently mixing lives of a dysfuntional family with an intriguing mess without ever falling into affectation , falsehood or atificiality . Offbeat flick , it has a few gaps and is slow-moving , but anyway , it is compensated with the great performances from Jose Sacristán as the heir who comes to take possession of an old mansion that his father has bequeathed him , while investingating the family's past . Along with other stunning actors , such as : Fernando Fernán Gómez , Silvia Munt , Assumpta Serna , Amparo Rivelles and Fernando Vivanco . Being brilliantly photographed by cameraman Juán Ruiz Anchia who uses to work in Hollywood ; adding emotive and adequate soundtrack from Josep Mas . The fundamental aspect of the story is the clashing that happens between the newcomer family member , José Sacristán , and the opposed family represented by stepbrother Fernando Vivanco , it shows that they have had a good chemistry among them . But the most engaging of the film it is not only the fact that Sacristán directed the film, but also that he was in charge of the enjoyable writing , it has everything to please the viewer and apart from a cast of some well-known actors , it presents a very enjoyable and pleasant story . The picture had various prizes and nominations , such as : Fotogramas de Plata 1984 Nominee Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor Fernando Fernán Gómez , Best Movie Actress Assumpta Serna. Mostra de València-Cinema del Mediterrani 1983 Winner Special Mention Fernando Fernán Gómez for the acting performance.
Soldados de plomo (1983) results to be a José Sacristan's good vehicle , both actor and filmmaker . In fact , José Sacristán , is one of the best Spanish players , enjoying a long career , about forty years , in which he has been playing all kind roles . As José Sacristán was born in 1937 , Chinchón, Madrid . He is an magnificent actor and occasionally director, especially known for Un Lugar en Mundo (1992), Éste Es Mi barrio (1996) and El Viaje a Ninguna Parte (1986). He is married to also actress Leonor Benedetto . Other important films he performed are the followings : Un Hombre Llamado Flor de Otoño , Niñas.. al Salón , Reina Zanahoria , Acto Posesión , Asignatura Pendiente , Hasta Matrimonio Nos Separe , Parranda and many others . Furthermore , Sacristan directed three acceptable films : 1977 ¨Yo Bajo en la Próxima, ¿y Usted?¨ , 1987 ¨Cara Acelga¨ and 1983 ¨Soldados De Plomo¨1983 .
