Carlos Saura is best known for his intense dramas. His decision to film a ballet was very much based on the desire to ensure that there remains a record of this astonishing and very Spanish work — a dance version of a Garcia Lorca play, choreographed by Antonio Gades.

"The combination of Garcia Lorca, Carlos Saura and Antonio Gades proves a spell-binding, aesthetic experience, unique in its treatment of the flamenco-ballet version of the Spanish modern classic ... a skilful modern ballet beautifully choreographed by Gades, with the dancing further heightened by Saura's imaginative direction and Escamilla's camerawork." ,i>Peter Besas, Variety.