''The Cantabrians'' (Spanish: ''Los Cántabros'') is a 1980

sword and sandal Sword-and-sandal, also known as peplum (pepla plural), is a subgenre of largely Italian-made historical, mythological, or Biblical epics mostly set in the Greco-Roman antiquity or the Middle Ages. These films attempted to emulate the big-budge ...

film about the

Cantabrian Wars The Cantabrian Wars (29–19 BC) (''Bellum Cantabricum''), sometimes also referred to as the Cantabrian and Asturian Wars (''Bellum Cantabricum et Asturicum''), were the final stage of the two-century long Roman conquest of Hispania, in what tod ...

, starring and directed by

Paul Naschy Paul Naschy (born Jacinto Molina Álvarez, September 6, 1934 – November 30, 2009) was a Spanish film actor, screenwriter, and director working primarily in horror films. His portrayals of numerous classic horror figures— The Wolfman, ...

. The film describes the conflict between Cantabrian guerrilla leader Corocotta and Roman general

Marcus Agrippa Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (; BC – 12 BC) was a Roman general, statesman, and architect who was a close friend, son-in-law, and lieutenant to the Roman emperor Augustus. He was responsible for the construction of some of the most notable build ...

Cast

as Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa * Daniel Barry as Corocotta * Verónica Miriel as Elia, Corocotta's sister *

Alfredo Mayo Alfredo Fernández Martínez (17 May 1911 in Barcelona – 19 May 1985 in Palma de Mallorca) better known as Alfredo Mayo was a Spanish actor. Biography After studying medicine, in 1929 Mayo made his debut in the theatre with the company of ...

as Lábaro, a Druid *

Julia Saly Julia Saly (born Julia Salinero) is a retired Spanish film actress and producer. She worked on many films over the years with acclaimed Spanish horror filmmaker Paul Naschy and was one of his favorite actresses. Her career ended in 1985, when Na ...

as Selenia, a seer * Blanca Estrada as Turenia, Corocotta's wife * Andrés Resino as Augustus Caesar *

Antonio Iranzo Antonio Iranzo (4 May 1930 – 7 July 2003) was a Spanish film actor in 77 feature films. He gained popularity for his acting in '' Island of the Damned'' and '' Cut - Throats Nine''. Iranzo began his artistic career in the theater, while w ...

as Sonanso, Cantabrian traitor *

Ricardo Palacios Ricardo López-Nuño Díez (2 March 1940 – 11 February 2015), better known as Ricardo Palacios, was a Spanish actor, film director and screenwriter. Born in Reinosa (Cantabria), Palacios graduated from the Official Film School in Madrid as a ...

as Gurco, adopted Cantabrian warrior * Pepe Ruiz as Hurón, adopted Cantabrian warrior *

Paloma Hurtado Paloma may refer to: Arts and media * "Paloma", a song by Mika from '' My Name Is Michael Holbrook'' (2019) * ''Paloma'' (film), a 2022 film by Brazilian director Marcelo Gomes * ''Paloma'' (novel), by Kristine Kathryn Rusch * ''Paloma'' (TV ...

as Calpurnia *

Frank Braña Frank Braña (born Francisco Braña Pérez; 24 February 1934 – 13 February 2012) was a Spanish character actor. Biography He was born Francisco Braña Pérez in Pola de Allande, Asturias, Spain on 24 February 1934. Also credited as Frank Bla ...

as Próculo *

Mariano Vidal Molina Mariano Vidal Molina (23 October 1925 – 20 February 1996) was an Argentinian actor. He appeared along Antonio Parra and Gustavo Re in '' The Corruption of Chris Miller'' (1973), by Juan Antonio Bardem, ''Carola de día, Carola de noche'' (1 ...

as Salvio

Plot

A voice-over describes how the Cantabrian tribes led by Corocotta have repeatedly defeated the Roman attempts to annex their territory in Spain. In Rome, Augustus is furious. His general Agrippa proposes a new plan - to defeat the Canabrians by adopting their own guerrilla tactics. Meanwhile, in Spain, Corocotta attacks what he thinks is a Roman gold-transport, only to find rocks. He frees the slaves, who join his forces. Selenia, a seer, warns Corocotta of danger, but also tells Corocotta that his wife has given birth to a son. While Corocotta sees his wife and new child, Agrippa meets with Sonanso, a Cantabrian traitor who agrees to help him. Aided by the traitor, Agrippa ambushes and defeats part of Corocotta's force. Selenia gives Corocotta a drug, and he dreams that to fight Agrippa is to fight Death himself. However, supported by the druid Lábaro, he refuses to give in. In the next battle Corocotta takes Agrippa's men by surprise, badly mauling the Romans. Agrippa is furious and discovers that his Cantabrian mistress has been informing Corocotta about Roman troop movements. Realising that the Canatbrian spirit of the resistance will not easily be broken, Agrippa decides to adopt more ruthless tactics, telling his men to take no prisoners, including the women and children. Corocotta is ambushed and badly wounded, but escapes. Lábaro and Selenia say that Agrippa must be stopped. Elia, Corocotta's sister, resolves to kill Agrippa using a sacred knife given her by Selenia. She sneaks into his tent and tries to stab him, but after a hard struggle with Agrippa, she is seriously wounded by an arrow shot by a guard. Agrippa is struck by her beauty and spirit. He nurses her back to health and falls in love with her. The two become lovers. Agrippa gives Elia a letter to take to Corocotta offering peace terms. Sonasso denounces her as a traitor, whipping up a crowd to stone her. Corocotta intervenes and kills Sonasso. Agrippa discusses the situation with Augustus, who agrees to offer a large reward for the capture of Corocotta. Corocotta himself then appears before Augustus, offering himself in exchange for the freedom of his people. Augustus is impressed by his bravery and lets him go. Selenia tells Agrippa that he must resolve things in a personal combat between himself and Corocotta. In the fight, Corocotta defeats Agrippa, who agrees to leave his people alone, for the moment. Corocotta leaves with his family and followers, taking the reward.

Production and reception

Naschy took this project over from Spanish horror film director

Amando de Ossorio Amando de Ossorio (6 April 1918 – 13 January 2001) was one of the foremost Spanish horror film directors during the European horror film surge in the 1970s, known especially for his "Blind Dead" tetralogy. Biography De Ossorio directed a sho ...

, who had originally been hired to direct it; Naschy totally rewrote the screenplay and recast the film. Appearing under his own name as lead actor, he used the pseudonym "Jacinto Molina" as director and screenwriter. The film "failed miserably at the box office".Pablo Mérida, Paloma Blanco Aristín, ''El cine español: historia, actores y directores, géneros, principales películas'', Grupo Anaya Comercial, 2002,.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cantabros, Los 1980 films Peplum films Spanish action adventure films Spanish historical adventure films 1980s historical films 1980s Spanish-language films Films directed by Paul Naschy Films set in the 1st century BC Sword and sandal Sword and sandal films Depictions of Augustus on film 1980s Italian films