"Carmen Amaya, an extraordinary woman, combines her celebrated gift for dancing with an unsuspected dramatic talent."

Jesús García de Dueñas y Claudio Guerín Hil

NUESTRO CINE

"It can be affirmed with no fear from other critics, that Carmen Amaya is Los Tarantos (...) the late rediscovery of a star.

A gypsy version of Romeo and Juliet transferred to a Barcelona suburb and elegantly described by Rovira Beleta. He includes dance numbers without letting them interfere with the action, as "one more element of dramatic progression."

Diego Galán

EL PAÍS

"Los Tarantos is filled with the amazing presence of an extraordinary Carmen Amaya, who stands out as the main character in this energetic reinterpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  The cinematography dominates from the start creating a powerful visual effect and a strong mis-en-scene which takes in each and every millimetre.

An unorthodox insight (...) into gypsy folklore, which is granted an almost mythical importance in its representations. It lifts these traditions to a "way of living."

Joaquín Vallet Rodrigo

MIRADAS DE CINE

"A film in which (Carmen Amaya) signed her artistic will.

An excellent flamenco musical which stars not only the tremendous and mature Carmen Amaya, but also Antonio Gades, El Chocolate, La Singla, El Estampío, Peret...The music and script complement each other and interact superbly.

Los Tarantos is as universal as flamenco itself."

FLAMENCO-WORLD

"The scene depicting love at first sight between Rafael and Juana is one of the most beautiful in the history of cinema. No pretensions, no soap opera photography nor any pseudo romantic music. A simple gesture that makes one forget one is watching a movie. It makes you feel only meters away from the characters, as one more of the gypsies in the party."
 

The direction of actors could not be better, and it's worth paying attention to other aspects of Rovira Beleta's work, like the use of space.

The Hollywood Academy missed out on the opportunity to award an Oscar to a film that truly deserved it!"

Lucio Blanco Mallada

UCM - Área Abierta Nº 8 [MAYO 2004]

CINE MUSICAL ESPAÑOL 1960-1965

"A bold and exciting Spanish film (...) to give it the easy tag of "A Spanish West Side Story" is to slight its striking qualities as a distinctly Spanish expression in which magnificent flamenco dancing abounds.

The gypsy spirit and rhythm (...) this is the real distinction and dynamism of the film.

The great Carmen Amaya is the most distinguished dancer in the film (...) Antonio Gades is also splendid.

(...) A vital film."

Bosley Crowther

NEW YORK TIMES


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