Plot
In 1535, an alchemist builds an extraordinary mechanism encapsulated into a small golden device. The invention...

Release Year: 1993

Rating: 6.8/10 (9,318 voted)

Critic's Score: 70/100

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Stars: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, Claudio Brook

Storyline
In 1535, an alchemist builds an extraordinary mechanism encapsulated into a small golden device. The invention, designed to convey eternal life to its owner, survives its maker until 1997, when it shows up with an antiques dealer. Fascinated with the strange device, Gris (Luppi) doesn't note that there's more than one person looking for it. The promise of eternal life has become an obsession for old and sick Mr. De la Guardia (Brook). He and his nephew (Perlman) will do anything to get the Chronos Invention.

Cast:
Federico Luppi - Jesus Gris
Ron Perlman - Angel de la Guardia
Claudio Brook - De la Guardia
Margarita Isabel - Mercedes
Tamara Shanath - Aurora
Daniel Giménez Cacho - Tito
Mario Iván Martínez - Alchemist
Farnesio de Bernal - Manuelito
Juan Carlos Colombo - Funeral Director
Jorge Martínez de Hoyos - Narrator (voice)
Luis Rodríguez - Buyer
Javier Álvarez - Bleeding Man
Gerardo Moscoso - Drunk
Eugenio Lobo - Stoned Man
Adriana Olivera - Tango Student

Release Date: May 1994

Filming Locations: Mexico

Box Office Details

Budget: $2,000,000 (estimated)

Gross: $621,392 (USA)

Runtime: 94 min

Trivia:
The names used are: Jesus Gris and Angel de la Guardia, which translates to "Grey Jesus" and "Guardian Angel". Angel, guards his uncle, and Jesus has gray hair and, eventually, grey skin.

Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When Jesús searches for Aurora after she has taken the Cronos, as he walks through two doors, he stops. Behind him, reflected in the glass of the door, is crew and equipment.

Quotes:
Jesus Gris: I am Jesus... Gris... Jesus Gris... Jesus Gris.

An interesting, original and engaging retelling of a classic story!

Rating: 8/10

Guillermo Del Toro's stylish and original take on the vampire legend is one of the most strangely overlooked and underrated films of the 1990's. It's films like this that make me want to watch films - films that are fresh, unpredictable and so rich in symbolism that it has leaves lots of room for discussion. Del Toro was little more than an amateur director at the time this made, but in spite of that he's more than given the professionals a run for their money. Every scene is adeptly filmed, and the way that Del Toro makes contrasts between locations and the two central families is a pleasure to observe. The way that the film switches language from English to Spanish and back again is indicative of the fact that this is a rich tapestry of contradictions and one that makes intelligent comments on many subjects, from obvious ones such as addiction, to more concealed ones, such as a commentary on family; stemming from the way that the roles of child and parent become reversed when our hero becomes afflicted with the vampire-like curse.

For the story, Del Toro has taken the classic vampire theme and mixed it with essences of mechanics and the human lust of being able to live forever. The story follows Jesús Gris, an antique dealer that lives with his granddaughter Aurora and wife Mercedes. One day, our hero happens upon a mechanical scarab that latches itself onto his palm, causing him to bleed. Jesús slowly gets addicted to the mystical scarab, but there's someone else that wants it and will stop at nothing to get it. The mythology of the scarab is told in a great opening sequence that sets the viewer up for an intriguing and original horror story. The film retains the intrigue that it sets up in it's intro for the duration, and Del Toro ensures that his audience is always left guessing and wanting to see what comes next. The film works due to interesting characters that the audience is able to feel for, and is constantly interesting by the way that Del Toro handles the contrasts that the story presents.

On the whole, this is a fabulous horror story that takes an existing legend and makes it it's own. This is exactly the sort of film that cinema needs more of; and it's not one that film fans will want to miss. Highly recommended viewing.

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