A group of impoverished youths tear through Madrid, pulling scams and committing petty crimes. As one of their gang members prepares to perform in a serious bullfighting competition, they plan a heist to raise the money needed for his entry.
Heavily censored on its original theatrical release, director Carlos Saura’s “Los Golfos” has undergone a 4K restoration by Filmoteca Española in collaboration with Films 59. This meticulous restoration brings “Los Golfos” back to its originally intended length (at least as closely as possible), matching what premiered at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival. That premiere was the only time the film was screened uncut before Spain’s censorship board intervened.
This review, however, isn’t about the history of the film’s censorship, as fascinating as that can be. It focuses instead on Radiance Films’ new limited-edition Blu-ray release of Filmoteca Española and Films 59’s restoration. For those interested in the restoration process itself, the included booklet offers detailed notes about the team’s extensive work.
“Los Golfos” is a slice-of-life drama that follows a group of delinquent youths in Madrid as they commit petty crimes to survive. One of them, Juan (Óscar Cruz), dreams of becoming a bullfighter. It’s a perceived escape from poverty that offers a glimmer of hope for the group. To fund Juan’s entry, the boys plan a series of small-time heists.
Using a cast of unknown actors and a cinéma vérité style, Saura crafts a film that feels naturalistic and lived-in. “Los Golfos,” which blurs the line between documentary and fiction, has a slower pace, spending time developing the boys’ personalities and camaraderie before any real plot emerges. The plot, though, is of little importance, taking a backseat to mood, realism, and observation.
Radiance’s Blu-ray marks the restoration’s English-subtitled premiere, and the results are fantastic. The image is filmic and unmanipulated, with natural grain and minimal damage present. Audio quality is equally strong — clean and free from any hiss or distortion.
As expected from Radiance, the disc includes a thoughtful collection of contextualizing supplements: an introduction to the film with Esteve Riambau, an interview with Ehsan Khoshbakht, and a feature examining the censored scenes along with original censorship notes. Two short films by Saura are also included. In addition to the notes on the film’s restoration, the limited-edition booklet features a new essay by Mar Diestro-Dópido and notes on the script from the censorship board.
Altogether, “Los Golfos” is a quiet, subdued film that’s a fascinating snapshot of late-1950s Spain. Its slower pace might test some viewers, but those able to engage will find a well-made piece of cinema. Radiance’s Blu-ray presents the movie well, offering up an excellent transfer and comprehensive extras. For cinephiles interested in exploring lesser-known corners of Spanish cinema, this release is highly recommended.
Now available on Limited Edition Blu-ray™
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