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Who Can Kill a Child (1976)
Film can be a powerful tool, sometimes maybe even too powerful for it's own good. If that statement reigns true then one could assume that the movie "Who Can Kill a Child" would be a victim of those circumstances. Mainly because the majority of the movie contains scenes of children getting murdered. Not that I personally have any problem with that is because I can always appreciate the balls it takes to pull off a movie this audacious. But then again besides the subject matter at hand "Who Can Kill a Child" is still a very strong film that has a very distinct point to make to the viewer.
"Who Can Kill a Child" starts out showing war footage from some pretty gruesome affairs in World History. There is footage of World War II, Indo-Pakistan War, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the War in Biafra. As it is all shown it's point is to show you that in every war a great number of children (who are generally innocent bystanders) die in large numbers. Then the movie goes into the story of two English tourists going to visit an island in Spain called Almanzora. But once the tourists get there they realize that something is wrong. There are hardly any visible people around the town outside of strange children. The children don't speak English and just look at the tourist in a ghastly stare. As the couple look for answers they find it directly in the film's title, "Who Can Kill a Child". I could explain that to you in further detail, but believe me it's worth checking out for yourself as the movie is a intelligent glace at the way children are distinguished throughout the world.
Director Narciso Ibáñez Serrador did a wonderful job with this film as well as handling the screenplay. It was based off of a novel by writer Juan José Plans entitled "El Juego". Also the acting in the film is about as good as you can expect with some downright frightening performances from the large cast of children that occupy the movie. The kids play an integral part in making the movie what it is, and I know that had to be an incredibly difficult job for Serrador. I'd be willing to say that because of subject matter and the sheer amount of children needed that this movie couldn't never be made in this day and age. That shows you the true importance of this film and it's great that Dark Sky Films are releasing it for people to see now. To some degree it shows you just how important the subject at hand is with the current atmosphere with children's rights across the globe in this day and age.
The story is impressive in and of itself because of just how well the it works on the viewer. It's interesting and manages to keep you guessing until the end of the movie. It's brutal at times, although it's nothing your average horror fan hasn't seen although a few things will surprise you. Those things generally involve the actions of the kids and that makes it all that more shocking. Most of the movie the couple are trying to get over not only what is happening to them, but also the actions that they witness on the behalf of the children.
Dark Sky presents "Who Can Kill a Child" in 1:85.1 anamorphic widescreen (it's original aspect ratio), including a "Who Could Shoot a Child" featurette with the cinematographer Jose Luis Alcaine, a featurette about director Narciso Ibanez Serrador, as well as a still gallery of pictures from the movie itself. I'm sure that this is the greatest this movie has ever looked as it's always kind of been known, but nobody as taken as much care with the film that has been in this case.
In closing I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND "Who Can Kill a Child" as it's a very interesting film that there's a good chance that you've never seen a film like before. I know there sure aren't many out there like this, and I've only ever seen a few movies close to it. If you are offended easily by violence to children, then you may want to skip out on this one, but its still a good film regardless. Top notch acting, directing, with a good story, and on top of that you will find out that if you were in the right predicament if you are one "Who Can Kill A Child"!
Rating - ***
-Ed Demko
