Romance , suspense , drama and criminal mystery go hand in hand in this Spanish-Mexican co-production directed by Julián Soler and starring the Italian couple formed by Rossana Podestà and Marco Vicario . After her father has been murdered , gorgeous but allegedly insane Isabella (Rossana Podestà) lives in the house of her two cousins . Meanwhile, a scenarist in need of inspiration walks on the beach and slowly unravels a deceased person . A stranger (Carlos López Moctezuma) has been found dead on a private beach located in a place owned by the Barón brothers (Alfredo Mayo and José Nieto) , whose cousin Isabel is thought to be crazy . Also on the beach is Juan (Marco Vicario), a gas station man in love with Isabel , who narrates her story to the itinerant writer named Arturo Ruiz (Fernando Rey) . Along the way , a police inspector (Santiago Rivero) must carry out the investigation and discover the truth .
An acceptable intrigue and suspense film about a strange murder and to find out the killer . The film is watchable enough , well acted , has enough psychological charge in a sorrowful and dramatic tone . A psychological thriller in which various suspicious people take on a murder and eventually forced to come face to face with their true desires . Excruciantly tense and passable rendition about a mysterious crime with the usual characters , but resulting to be slowly paced , at times . The plot , written by prestigious screenwriter/director Juan Antonio Bardem , creates a cloudy and twisted enigma with Fernando Rey as a witness of an intrigue throughout a rugged coast environment and conflicts of greed , death , love , family , treason , blackmail , desire told with flashbacks from various perspectives on themselves . Being done in the style of Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon". The whole cast playing predictable roles are pretty good , being nicely performed by two fine Italian actors : marriage Rossana Podestá , Marco Vicario subsequently a good filmmaker ; various Spanish players : Fernando Rey , Alfredo Mayo , José Nieto , Santiago Rivero and one Mexican : Carlos López Moctezuma.
It contains evocative cinematography in black and white from notorious Mexican cameraman Alex Phillips and uncredited Manuel Merino , though being necessary an alright remastering . Shot on location in the beaches of Palma, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, España . Likewise, thrilling and atmospheric musical score by composer Isidro Maiztegui . The motion picture was well produced , being professionally directed by Juan Soler , but with some corny and dated moments . Screenwriter Juan Antonio Bardem and director Juan Soler take the story into film noir and fixing interest enough , even though the motivations are vague and the characters have no depth beyond their intentions in the surprising events . Being filmed in 50s usual style and in stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace on the intriguing issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . Prolific director Juan Soler had a ong career , working from the Forties , and he belonged to a generation of artists : Brother of Fernando Soler, Andrés Soler and Domingo Soler and father of actor Fernando Palavicini . Juan Soler is known for La mujer X (1955), Santo contra Blue Demon en la Atlántida (1970) , Romeo contra Julieta (1968) , Pánico (1966) , La edad de la violencia (1964) , Si yo fuera millonario (1962) , Los platillos voladores (1956) , among others . Rating : 6.5/10 . Worthwhile watching .
