For a few weeks, a group of generals attend a military course or seminar about space warfare given by a group of captains , under the direction of suave Admiral Santiago Torrado (Fernando Rey) , at a military residence near Gerona . Spoiled beyond belief , the last thing they expect is to be ordered what to do , especially by younger officers of inferior rank like the captains and lieutenants assigned to be their teachers , who talk down to them in the noisy classroom as if they were difficult , borderline moronic pupils . They soon behave like children at school , one is always late , there is a fool , a clever one , a sneak , a sick person , they play various pranks , play with the waitresses , and steal jam from the pantry . Meantime, General Luis Izquierdo (Rafael Alonso) tells what his companions are doing to Admiral Torrado , General Victor Mendizabal (Hector Alterio) helps the dying General Federico Torres (José Luis López Vázquez) and while he has an affair with the pharmacist and announcer of an erotic radio program and General Mario del Pozo faces the captain Antonio Sarabia (Joaquin Kremel).
A peculiar comedy of military customs , depicting the narrow-minded , intolerant and repressive high-ranking military at the time , being professionally written/produced by director Jaime de Armiñan . A fun as well as extravagant comedy in which a group of the highest-ranking members of the Spanish military are summoned for an advanced course in modern warfare , as they become students with a mean age of over 60, and , because of their vaunted station, they are accustomed to having every whim indulged . Shot competently and effectively with economy of means ; it results to be an interesting mix of comedy in which some funny jokes never seem forced , along with brief drama and critique to the high-ranking military class . The plot is modest without being insubstantial , resulting to be a competently shot comedy , it's remarkably light-fingered and the remarks director/writer makes about aging , death , social relationships , differences of military ranks and Spain's political absurdism are all splendidly registered . The picture features sterling interpretations from a well ensembled cast . Last film produced by Pepon Coromina , it is one of the usual comedies written by Jaime de Armiñán , including silly incidents, but the childishness of his anecdote is compensated by a wide and prestigious cast in which stand out the following ones : Fernando Rey as a gentle Admiral , the always great Fernando Fernán Gómez as a grumpy general who harasses the youngest captain Joaquin Kremel , Rafael Alonso as the mole general who tells about his companions , Hector Alterio as the mature official who eventually falls in love , José Luis López Vázquez as the ill person who wants the last tasty breath in his sacrificed life , among others.
It contains a luminous and adequate cinematography by Luis Cuadrado. Including classical music score, such as : Allegro giusto taken from the ballet 'Swan Lake, Op. 20' composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Valse triste, op. 44, n.º 1 composed by Jean Sibelius . Being compelling written and professionally directed by Jaime De Armiñan , with much originality , being one of his best movies . Jaime makes movies with the casual effortlessness of an inspired feeling . Armiñán dares to lead this dramedy with notable results , and offers us here an entertaining and brooding story . It's a major and important effort in his important cinematic career . An object of lesson by an old master filmmaker who will appeal his fans . Jaime De Armiñán was born on March 9 , 1927 in Madrid , where he often shoots his films . His first movie was a Marisol vehicle : Carola de dia , Carola de noche (1969) . Jaime is a writer and director , particularly known for Mi Querida Señorita (1972) , El Amor Del Capitán Brando (1974) , Stico (85) and Mi General (1987). Jaime Armiñan achieved several successes , such as : Jo , Papá (1975) , Al Servicio De La Mujer Española (1978) and especially El Nido (1980) and Hora Bruja (1985) at his best . Armiñan also directed great TV series as Una Gloria Nacional (1993) , Cuentos Imposibles (84) and , of course , Juncal (1989) . Rating : 7/10 . Better than average . Worthwhile watching .
