Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    EmmysSuperheroes GuideSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideBest Of 2025 So FarDisability Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
8 suggestions available
Watchlist
Sign in
Sign in
New customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Angel of Death

Original title: Semana Santa
  • 2001
  • R
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
4.2/10
820
YOUR RATING
Mira Sorvino and Olivier Martinez in Angel of Death (2001)
DramaThriller

The most spectacular Easter celebration in the World. Hosts of hooded Penitents parade through the ancient, narrow streetsThe most spectacular Easter celebration in the World. Hosts of hooded Penitents parade through the ancient, narrow streetsThe most spectacular Easter celebration in the World. Hosts of hooded Penitents parade through the ancient, narrow streets

  • Director
    • Pepe Danquart
  • Writers
    • David Hewson
    • Roy Mitchell
  • Stars
    • Mira Sorvino
    • Olivier Martinez
    • Féodor Atkine
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.2/10
    820
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Pepe Danquart
    • Writers
      • David Hewson
      • Roy Mitchell
    • Stars
      • Mira Sorvino
      • Olivier Martinez
      • Féodor Atkine
    • 20User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos8

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast33

    Edit
    Mira Sorvino
    Mira Sorvino
    • Maria Delgado
    Olivier Martinez
    Olivier Martinez
    • Quemada
    Féodor Atkine
    Féodor Atkine
    • Torillo
    Alida Valli
    Alida Valli
    • Doña Catalina
    Peter Berling
    Peter Berling
    • Castenada
    Fermí Reixach
    Fermí Reixach
    • Rodriguez
    Luis Tosar
    Luis Tosar
    • Antonio
    Jorge Bosch
    • Jaime Mateo
    Yohana Cobo
    Yohana Cobo
    • Young Dona Catalina
    Carlos Castañon
    • Dr. Hidalgo
    José María Blanco
    José María Blanco
    • Don Manuel
    Azucena de la Fuente
    • Maggi
    Alexander Konheim
    • Famiani
    Pablo Rojas
    • Apprentice Luis
    Juan Del Santo
    • Felipe Ordonez
    José Luis García
    • Young Man
    Matilde Fluixá
    • Nun
    • (as Matilde Fluixa)
    Alex O'Dogherty
    Alex O'Dogherty
    • Taxi driver
    • Director
      • Pepe Danquart
    • Writers
      • David Hewson
      • Roy Mitchell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    4.2820
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    3HEFILM

    dull and forgotten, leads have no chemistry

    American star who's career is in trouble goes to Europe to appear in a multinational production of little distinction. Those were the days, the late 1960's through mid 1970's and unless your name was Clint Eastwood probably nothing much came of the experience as far as the finished film was concerned. Ah, I feel sort of nostalgic for those euro trash co productions that you just knew were really about tax shelters as well as being one last chance for the star to headline a movie and have a vacation at the viewing public's expense.

    Well, ANGEL OF DEATH is just such a movie and it is only from 2002! The original, more germane, title is SEMANA SANTA which means Easter or Easter week, referring to the parades and celebrations that feature hooded monks, one of whom is suspected of being the killer.

    No less than six countries are listed in the credits and though set in Spain part of it was shot in Hamburg Germany. I guess I'm talking about all this because all of that is more interesting than the movie itself.

    Other than the pleasing distractions of the setting, the story is really really tired. Though based on a novel it really feels like the work of a tired American television cop show writer. Doing some research I found that I was half right, Roy Mitchell is a English television cop show writer. One symbolic killing sparks an investigation. It is hinted that there is some religious connection to the killing. Ultimately this isn't explored in any depth. Woman Cop forced on a male counterpart who doesn't respect her. She is shown to kick ass early in the film to excuse her becoming pretty much just a typical weak woman for the killer to throw around by the end. The dialogue is really flat. A character gets locked in a room by the killer and immediately pounds on the door and yells, "Open this door!" Pretty much all the dialogue is on this level of freshness and creativity. It sounds even worse because we have a bunch of thick accented Europeans speaking lamely written television dialogue while we (the audience) are to pretend they are all really Spaniards. Though when we see anything written down it is in Spanish. It's all just not very convincing.

    In the midst of this is Mira Sorvino sporting a pretty good accent but looking very out of place with her blonde hair amid all the dark haired natives. Though it is explained she is half American she should have just died her hair. She pretty much plays the whole film with the same slightly worried or interested expression. There is no chemistry between her and co star Oliver Martinez and though her part isn't written to really carry the film she doesn't rise to the challenge to elevate the material. I guess in this case Mira Sorvino and Olivier Martinez were an item at the time and thought it would be fun to go to Europe and pretend to hate each other on film. She I guess comes off better since she seems like an actress giving a poor performance where he comes off as being a non actor trying to act mean and tough.

    Speaking earlier of Clint Eastwood, Mira certainly is in need of Clint saving her post Oscar career the way he did for Hillary Swank.

    Ciro Cappellari's location photography makes you want to go there but generates no suspense or style other than a surface gloss to the film. All the production levels are about on par with a really well produced cable movie but not really up to feature standards. The first crime scene is rather gruesome and the second killing is too but after that it's a dullish hunt for the killer structure. The revelation is something of a cheat but does nothing to revive your interest in the story by that point. Two supporting characters are sort of interesting, but so what? One of these is Alida Valli, who makes the most of what little they allow her to do here. She's at least an authentic 70's Euro character actress, having been in SUSPIRIA, LISA AND THE DEVIL, THE ANTICHRIST to name a few of her impressive credits. Mira Sorvino seems almost in awe of her during their scenes together and for good reason, Valli is actually acting! But Valli's presence, and she does have that, just reminds you how blandly directed the film is.

    To increase the growing sense of inertia there are extended flashback sequences in the middle of the film set during the Spanish revolution revealing Valli's character's origins.

    Asleep at the helm director, Pepe Danquart, got to love that name, directs a movie that cuts together properly but doesn't tell an exciting story. Nor is he able to get a good performance from his leading lady. Nothing is done poorly enough to become silly, other than one scene where Sorvino gets stuck to a staircase rail with a bull fighting pike through the hand and has to pretend she can't get free while fighting and stabbing occurs around her between the macho men.

    Music score adds little except in some probably authentic Catholic parade scenes and source music. 5.1 mix does almost nothing with the surround channels.

    ANGEL OF DEATH does little with anything. The DVD does offer trailers for a number of better movies available from MGM. Despite the Spanish setting the only alternate language is French which makes no sense given the large domestic U. S. video audience of Spanish speakers who might be interested in the film because of the setting. Oh well, perhaps this is a small mercy for them.
    7kjs-2

    Solid Murder Mystery

    The only thing special about this film may be the very human everyday interactions between the characters in this film. An important scene might have a little glance or aside that only tells of the place and the people but have no real impact on the story. Mia Sorvino along with the other actors and even the walk-on extras just feel real and utterly regular in the skins that they occupy on screen. 99% of movies do not succeed as well as this one when it comes to that pervasive "REALITY" feeling.

    Yes the pacing could have been better. Yes you might be lost if you don't pay attention to each plot revelation. Yes you might not be surprised at all by how the story turns out. But this is a beautiful film in its grounded feeling, the acting, and the little things outside of the main focus which give life to the world and its characters.

    Not original at all but great acting and good direction makes for a hidden gem in my opinion.

    -Karl
    6storyteller912

    Lots of Power but much less PUNCH

    This movie has lots going for it. I only wish it had come together better.

    Several of the performances are subtle and command our full attention. Alida Valli is stark and quietly brilliant as Dona Katrina as she tells her gripping tale from the war. Feodor Atkine is both confused and valiant as he searches for answers to the murders committed by the man in red. While other roles are too subtly played or bungled entirely. Mira Sorvino is adequate as the reflective outsider who is haunted by her past. Olivier Martinez, gives a one dimensional and overplayed role as the tough cop, solving crimes on the mean streets of Sevilla.

    The cinematography is rife with scenes from Sevilla's rich historic architecture and the contrasts in light and shadow give this film a brooding quality. Filming from various angles during the Easter pageant lends depth as the police narrowly miss observing the murders first hand and totally miss their motive. The action scenes however, often appear as if happening in some other story and don't fully connected to the movement of the plot.

    I did find this film worth watching to the end if only to find out "who dun-nit". Watch it when you are feeling somber and a little confused.
    1aristides-1

    The Story Went Where?

    I could not, for the life of me, follow, figure out or understand the story. As the plot advances it too stays incomprehensible. I'm going to guess and say that there was a preproduction story/plot problem that never got sorted out. The producers could never separate the many details that the novel, or any novel, has the time and space to create from the other idea, which was to make a movie about a serial killer and the killer's pursuit by the police. They ended up with too many things happening in a proscribed feature film time limit. Too bad really because they had a solid cast, a director who knows how to move things around and excellent cinematography. In fact, a well made movie that one could enjoy and relax with for a couple of hours.
    6lastliberal

    A trip back in time

    OK, so this isn't the greatest mystery movie to grace the screen. It did, however, have some good features that made it worth my time.

    First, I lived in Andalucia for six years and have fond memories of the Semana Santa ceremonies and processions. The white robes and the pointed masks do not remind me of the Ku Klux Klan, but of centuries of tradition in Spain. Seeing that as a backdrop to the murders and the police work, led by the ever adorable Mira Sorvino, was beautiful.

    Second, I love stories that weave in the evil fascists that invaded Spain. The US-backed murderers under Franco provided a credible story that explained the current murders.

    Third, I was enchanted with Alida Valli in her last role as Doña Catalina. So much so that I will make it a point to see one of her earlier roles this weekend.

    All in all, a good slow murder mystery with several features that made it worthwhile.

    More like this

    Sommer vorm Balkon
    6.9
    Sommer vorm Balkon
    New York Cop
    4.3
    New York Cop
    Probably Love
    5.8
    Probably Love
    Between Strangers
    6.0
    Between Strangers
    Ice Planet
    3.9
    Ice Planet
    Sins of the Night
    4.6
    Sins of the Night
    The Double 0 Kid
    4.2
    The Double 0 Kid
    The Savior
    6.2
    The Savior
    Amongst Friends
    5.5
    Amongst Friends
    Angel of Death
    4.9
    Angel of Death
    Sweet Nothing
    6.1
    Sweet Nothing
    River Queen
    5.9
    River Queen

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Alida Valli's last film.
    • Quotes

      Quemada: Women have been known to throw their panties at him.

      Maria Delgado: I'll be sure to wear some for the occasion.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders: El Toro Bravo (2016)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 24, 2002 (Italy)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • United Kingdom
      • France
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • Denmark
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Dödens karneval
    • Filming locations
      • Hamburg, Germany
    • Production companies
      • A Wandering Star
      • Black Forest Films
      • Canal+
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • €9,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $156,614
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital EX
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Mira Sorvino and Olivier Martinez in Angel of Death (2001)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Angel of Death (2001) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Poster
    List
    IMDb Summer Watch Guide
    Browse the guide
    Production art
    List
    July 2025 TV and Streaming Premiere Dates
    See the list
    Poster
    List
    Most Anticipated Indian Movies: July-December 2025
    See the list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.