The Wolf (Spanish: El Lobo) is a 2004 Spanish drama biographical film directed by Miguel Courtois. It stars Eduardo Noriega as the title character and José Coronado alongside Mélanie Doutey, Silvia Abascal, Santiago Ramos, and Jorge Sanz.
| The Wolf | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | El Lobo |
| Directed by | Miguel Courtois |
| Written by | Antonio Onetti |
| Starring | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 134 minutes |
| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
Plot
The film is based on the life of Mikel Lejarza (alias 'El Lobo'), an agent of the Spanish intelligence service in the early 1970s. During the last rales of the Francoist dictatorship, Lejarza infiltrated ETA, a paramilitary group seeking independence for the Basque Country.
He obstructed plans for a major prison breakout and a campaign of attacks. The secret services tried to demobilise him when he became less useful. However, he pursued his mission nevertheless, which became the most successful government initiative against ETA. Information he provided was responsible for the capture or killing of a quarter of ETA members, including some of its 'Special Forces' members and leaders. He destabilized the organization when it was a potential justification for conservatives to seize power and stop the democratisation process.
ETA sentenced him to death and posted his pictures throughout the Basque Country, in the hope of someone reporting his whereabouts. Mikel changed his name and face and has lived under an assumed identity ever since.
Cast
- Eduardo Noriega as El Lobo
- José Coronado as Ricardo
- Mélanie Doutey as Amaia
- Silvia Abascal as Begoña
- Santiago Ramos as Pantxo
- Patrick Bruel as Nelson
- Jorge Sanz as Asier
- Manuel Zarzo as Matías
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 19th Goya Awards | Best Actor | Eduardo Noriega | Nominated | [1] |
| Best Supporting Actress | Silvia Abascal | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Supervision | Cristina Zumárraga, Miguel Torrente | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Guillermo S. Maldonado | Won | |||
| Best Special Effects | Jesús Pascual, Ramón Lorenzo, Reyes Abades | Won | |||
| 14th Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actress in a Secondary Role | Silvia Abascal | Nominated | [2][3] | |
| Best Film Actor in a Minor Role | Santiago Ramos | Nominated |
