IN A GLASS CAGE

Klaus is a former captain from World War II who, due to an accident, will have to live in a glass lung. His wife is looking for someone to take care of him. So one day, Angelo will present himself at the house to look after poor Klaus and, by reading Klaus's diary, will learn about all the killings he committed in the concentration camps. Angelo will decide to take Klaus's place and continue killing innocent children since he can no longer do it because of his paralysis. After killing Klaus's wife, Angelo will turn the apartment into a real "concentration camp". Feature film debut for Spanish director Augustí Villaronga, who offers us a horror/drama with a high-impact plot. Excellent is the sense of claustrophobia that is felt throughout much of the film, and minimal are the splatter effects, since the violence is almost entirely suggested. The murder of children in this film is not, as in many other films, an act of rancor, rage, or horror, shown by other directors with large doses of blood; here, instead, the murder is much cruder, and the director presents it as a source of excitement. In short, this "Tras el cristal" is a must-see film, probably one of the best Spanish horror films ever. The only sour note of "Tras el cristal" is the rather predictable ending; a real shame for a film that, if it hadn't had this flaw, would have become a true masterpiece. The film here in Italy unfortunately never arrived, like many other excellent films. Viewing of "Tras el cristal" is recommended only to people who are not easily scandalized because it must be said that the various tortures inflicted also lead to the sexual aspect, which may disturb many. The director has put together, therefore, a disturbing work that is not afraid to dare. A word to the wise is sufficient. Trivia: "Tras el cristal" is more famous with the Americanized title "In a glass cage".