Spoilers · the ending
The Executioner: the ending, explained
Luis García Berlanga · 1963
This page gives the ending away. Not seen the film yet? Its spoiler-free guide is here.
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Spoilers · the ending
Luis García Berlanga · 1963
This page gives the ending away. Not seen the film yet? Its spoiler-free guide is here.
What happens
In Mallorca, José Luis cannot carry out the execution willingly. He begs and collapses, and the guards and his own family lead him toward the chamber. It shows he is trapped by the choices he made, not by any real wish to kill.
The last image
The executioner is dragged forward, limp and protesting, exactly like the man he is meant to execute.
What it says
Nobody forces him in one moment; small, sensible steps did it. By making the killer look like the victim, the film asks who is really trapped, and shows that a system can keep killing while no one feels responsible.