Long Live Death

Long Live Death

Year: 1971

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: French

Director: Fernando Arrabal

DramaWar

At the end of the Spanish Civil War, Fando struggles to grasp the conflict and his father's arrest. His mother sides with the Fascists while his father is labeled a Red, and Fando learns she may have helped his capture. Through imagined explanations and moments with his friend Thérèse, curiosity about sex, death and his parents' loyalties drives a quest.

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Timeline & Setting – Long Live Death (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Long Live Death (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1910s

The events unfold in the early 20th century during the Mexican Revolution. Clashes between reformist forces, bandits and corrupt officials create a volatile backdrop. Deception and schemes unfold against a backdrop of political upheaval and contested authority.

Location

San Tomas, Mexico, Guatemala

Set in a Mexican village during the Mexican Revolution, with border-town atmosphere and a looming prison and garrison. The story tracks the hunt for a hidden treasure, moving through taverns, prisons and improvised alliances. The climax travels toward a frontier town where rebels and authorities clash.

🌍 Mexico 🗺️ Village 🕰️ War-time

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

Main Characters – Long Live Death (1971)

Meet the key characters of Long Live Death (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Orlowsky

A cunning con artist who cloaks himself in a priestly disguise. He pursues the treasure through manipulation, willing to betray allies if it secures power or wealth. His scheme thrives on deception and a chilling willingness to escape danger at any cost.

🧠 Cunning 🎭 Deceptive 🤝 Opportunistic

Mary O'Donnell

An Irish journalist who aims to ignite a revolutionary cause. She uses bribery and calculated risk to shape events, and she recognizes Lozoya’s potential as a symbol for uprising. Her actions reveal a readiness to exploit a story for political ends.

📰 Journalist 🎯 Manipulative 🔥 Risk-taker

Lozoya

A Mexican bandit who becomes part of the revolutionary landscape. He pretends to be El Salvador to rally support and later pursues the treasure for himself. He is wary, resourceful, and capable of shifting alliances when it serves his aims.

🗡️ Calculated 🗺️ Identity swaps 🧭 Escape-minded

Sheriff Randall

A greedy lawman who profits from staged prison escapes and double-crossing. He values money over justice and warms to the idea of selling the fake El Salvador’s freedom to the highest bidder. His corruption reflects the era’s rotten institutional culture.

💰 Corrupt official 🕵️‍♂️ Scheming 🗝️ Opportunistic

General Huerta

A ruthless military commander who seizes the treasure and uses force to suppress dissent. He embodies authoritarian power during the upheaval and becomes a focal point for the uprising network that unfolds.

⚔️ Military ruler 🛡️ Ruthless 🧨 Power broker

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

Major Themes – Long Live Death (1971)

Explore the central themes of Long Live Death (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗽 Freedom & Revolt

The film treats revolution as a means to empower the oppressed, but it also shows how idealism can be co-opted by self-interest. Characters wrestle with the idea of leading a people versus leading themselves. The rising movement is as much about personal gain as collective liberation.

🎭 Deception & Performance

Orlowsky pretends to be a priest and Mary manipulates events to spark rebellion. Identities are worn like masks as truth is traded for plots and profits. The line between hero and con artist blurs, highlighting how stories shape action.

💰 Greed & Betrayal

The treasure map drives betrayals among allies and enemies alike. Officials drink from a shared pot of crime, and loyalties shift when money is at stake. In the end, wealth is used to aid or corrupt, depending on who claims it.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

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War stories seen through a child's eyes like Long Live Death

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a child's journey from confused observer to traumatized participant in a war they don't fully understand. The plot is often fragmented, mirroring their incomplete grasp of events, and focuses on moments of personal loss and disillusionment as adult ideologies and allegiances crumble around them.

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Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the psychological impact of war on children, using a perspective that emphasizes the senselessness and moral chaos of conflict. They share a gritty, emotionally heavy tone and often feature a bittersweet or bleak ending that marks the loss of innocence.

Cynical political thrillers with fast-paced betrayal like Long Live Death

Gritty tales where survival demands moral compromise in a corrupt world.For viewers who enjoyed the ruthless political intrigue and survivalist themes of 'Long Live Death', this section highlights movies with a similar vibe. Find films featuring complex plots of betrayal, corruption, and cynical characters surviving in a morally bankrupt world.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread are defined by a cascade of betrayals and double-crosses within a politically charged setting. The protagonist's journey is one of disillusionment, often learning that noble causes are merely fronts for greed and personal ambition, leading to a victory that feels hollow or bittersweet.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a dark, cynical tone, fast pacing driven by plot twists, and a high level of narrative complexity. They are united by themes of political corruption, survival, and the existential cost of abandoning one's principles in a chaotic world.

Unlock the Full Story of Long Live Death

Don't stop at just watching — explore Long Live Death in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Long Live Death is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Long Live Death Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Long Live Death, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Long Live Death Summary

Long Live Death Timeline

Track the full timeline of Long Live Death with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Long Live Death Timeline

Long Live Death Spoiler-Free Summary

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Long Live Death Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Long Live Death

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Long Live Death: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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