Methodological problems in the research of the “dark period” of Spanish cinema (1969-1975): the case of thriller

Abstract

Definition of the crisis period of the Francoist cinematographic machinery, hereby called "Dark Period" (1969-1975), and definition of the methodological problems found in relation to the research of this historical stage of Spanish Cinema, and especially in relation to the police thriller. The economic period has been chosen because of the importance that, according to studies, critics and spectators it has in the conformation of the modern Spanish cinema, as industry, art and historiographic element. Confronted with the possibility that an excessive lack of care by the contemporary professionals and politicians might had driven to a neglection to preserve important matherial, testimonies and documents that might had resulted invaluable to modern students. The lack of these, and the long time lapse might be the first but not only causes of the present difficulties to create complete monographies, able to submit a comprehensive explanation of the period. The demarcation of the period 1969-1975 is previously clarified before the historiographical void on this matter. Those specific movies of this current and period not listed in the funds of the state film archives are recovered. Finally, the pertinent conclusions are drawn.