Antonio Román

Who was Antonio Román?

Antonio Román was a top Spanish film director, screenwriter, film producer and film critic.

During the 1940s, Antonio Román was one of Spain's most celebrated filmmakers and went on to become one of the managers of the Cooperativa Cinematográfica Castilla. Originally planning to be a pharmacist, he instead turned to film criticism, writing for some of Spain's most distinguished journals. By 1934, he had also begun directing, starting with a few short documentaries. His first full length film, 1941's "Escuadrilla", was made in collaboration with Sáenz De Heredia. Other features directed by Román include 1944's "Lola Montes" and 1947's "La Fuentovejuna".

Román went on writing reviews and directing films throughout the '60s and into the 70s, although gradually became less prolific, In 1970, he was fired from the set of "Ringo Del Nebraska" his last film, after having filmed less than 10%, because the producer did not like his slow and meticulous pace. He was replaced by Mario Bava, a friend and protégé. Out of respect for Román, Bava refused to accept credit on the film.

Román died in 1989 in Madrid.