Carmen - A Film By Carlos Saura

Spanish director Carlos Saura mixes rehearsals and the real thing for this adaptation of Bizet's opera, effectively telling Carmen's story twice in one film. Choreographer Antonio (Antonio Gades) casts an unknown girl (Laura del Sol) to dance the title role in his new balletic version of 'Carmen'. Whilst rehearsing, the pair fall in love, even though the young dancer has a husband in jail on drug charges.

Saura's adaptation is highly regarded and is noted for its transposition of the legend using various Spanish dances and folksongs, and exhilarating visuals to accompany Bizet's music. Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia also contributes to the soundtrack.