The Devil Is a Woman

The Devil Is a Woman

Year: 1935

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Josef von Sternberg

ComedyHistoryDramaRomanceSong and dance

During a Spanish carnival, Antonio Galvan arrives from Paris to see his friend Captain Don Pasqual “Pasqualito” Costelar. He meets Concha Pérez and arranges a secret rendezvous. Pasqualito warns that his own obsession with Concha and her mother ruined his life and begs Antonio to stay away. Tempted, Antonio yields, endangering their friendship.

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Timeline & Setting – The Devil Is a Woman (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Devil Is a Woman (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 20th century

Set in a period when old social codes collide with modern desires, the film places romance and danger against a backdrop of aristocratic propriety. The Seville Carnival provides a chaotic, vivid stage for secret liaisons, rivalries, and political undercurrents.

Location

Seville, Spain

The action unfolds on the bustling boulevards of Seville during Carnival, where revelers wear grotesque costumes and masks. Civil Guards mingle with the masqueraders, adding a sense of order amid the chaos. The city feels alive with music, spectacle, and a hint of public scrutiny.

🎭 Carnival atmosphere 🏛️ Historic Seville

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

Main Characters – The Devil Is a Woman (1935)

Meet the key characters of The Devil Is a Woman (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Antonio Galvan (Cesar Romero)

A young bourgeois revolutionary who returns from exile to confront his rival for Concha's affection. Impulsive and fiercely romantic, he seeks to crush the rival through passion and, when necessary, force. His loyalty is tested by manipulation, leading to risky decisions that propel the plot toward a dramatic confrontation.

💘 Romance ⚖️ Loyalty 🕊️ Rebellion 🗝️ Risk

Concha Perez (Marlene Dietrich)

A dazzling, calculating presence who uses charm to navigate power structures and secure her desires. Her allure draws men into her orbit, yet her choices leave emotional wreckage in their wake. She moves between lovers with a self-serving pragmatism that ultimately tests the boundaries of love and loyalty.

💃 Charm 💔 Manipulation 🎭 Seduction

Don Pasqual (Lionel Atwill)

An aristocratic former Captain whose life was tarnished by Concha's actions. He remains deeply in love, choosing pride and propriety over reunion, and his actions reveal a man torn between duty and desire. His past decisions shape the present clash as he guards his honor and the woman he loves.

🏛️ Honor 💔 Love 🗡️ Duel-legacy

Gov. Don Paquito 'Paquitito' (Edward Everett Horton)

The cautious governor who wields political influence to resolve conflicts and grant escape requests. His hesitation belies a pragmatic mind, balancing mercy with the law. His involvement ultimately enables a reprieve that shapes the fate of Concha, Antonio, and Pasqual.

🏛️ Authority 🕊️ Mercy 🤝 Policy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

Major Themes – The Devil Is a Woman (1935)

Explore the central themes of The Devil Is a Woman (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Romance & Betrayal

A seductive love triangle drives the plot as Concha uses charm to influence powerful men, while Antonio and Pasqual vie for her affection and respect. The relationships are tangled by loyalty, desire, and fear of social critique. Choices in love come with bold risks and harsh consequences.

⚔️ Honor & Duel

The duel scene embodies a code of honor that governs the characters’ actions. Antonio and Pasqual confront their feelings and past wounds, with violence framed as a test of masculinity and reputation. The outcome exposes the limits of traditional notions of pride and protection.

🧭 Escape & Consequence

Concha orchestrates a path toward Paris, leveraging political clout to secure freedom for Antonio. The pursuit of escape highlights how personal ambition intersects with state power. The final choice—seeking stability with Pasqual or continuing the flight—reveals who truly commands the characters’ loyalties.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

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The Devil Is a Woman Summary

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The Devil Is a Woman Summary

The Devil Is a Woman Timeline

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The Devil Is a Woman Timeline

More About The Devil Is a Woman

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