I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar’s 1984 black comedy-drama What Have I Done to Deserve This?. Readers can also read Cox’s intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was September 20, 1993 (read here). Not much I can add here except to say that Cox’s thoughts on Spanish cinema in general is truly fascinating. As for myself, I have always been a huge fan of director/writer Pedro Almodovar’s films and while I would not rank What Have I Done to Deserve This? as high as some of his later works (Pain and Glory, Talk to Her and All About My Mother), it is still a great film nonetheless. If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite Pedro Almodovar films (read here).
Here is a youtube video link to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s intro to What Have I Done to Deserve This?
Here is another youtube video link to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s intro to What Have I Done to Deserve This?
UPDATE 11/03/2021: Here is Steve’s (a regular visitor to this site) youtube upload of Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to What Have I Done to Deserve This? Click here to view his youtube channel
Since I could not find a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer, click here to see some youtube video links featuring one or two scenes of the film
cinematiccoffee 
I can’t say anything about this film as I haven’t seen it. I haven’t seen any Pedro Almodovar films infact. Maybe I should.
John, have you watched any more of the Poliziotteschis I recommended? If so,any thoughts or opinions on those films?
Almodovar can do no wrong with me, and I own (almost) all of his films on DVD. This is actually one of my favourites of his, with a stellar performance from Carmen Maura in the role of the disillusioned housewife. Nice to see more foreign-language films appearing here, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
This is one of Alex’s more interesting introductions. I had no idea of the history (or lack of) of Spanish cinema, and Cox digs up some real gems, right down to the accents of the protagonists and way the characters pronounce the letter S!
Steve, I just watched 1973’s The Boss yesterday with Henry Silva and it did not disappoint 🙂 In other words, I loved it 🙂 What about that opening sequence where Silva’s character blows up members of that one mob family – now I did not see that coming 🙂 And how about that ending? 🙂
What Have I Done to Deserve This? is one of my favorites as well and I am with you that Almodovar can do no wrong – I love every single one of his films 🙂 As with any great director, ranking their masterpieces is always a difficult task 🙂 I agree with you on Carmen Maura as well 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
You are totally right about that Paul 🙂 Given the fact that Pedro Almodovar has directed and written many women pictures, one wonders how he would have casted Michelle Pfeiffer and Meg Ryan since your blog is dedicated to that? 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I’m pleased you liked The Boss. It is a great movie and a great mob movie. It’s a great leading role for Henry Silva as a mob hitman. It’s one of his best roles infact. Richard Conte is great too as a mob boss. He’s basically playing Barzini again and that’s great.
Henry Silva and Richard Conte had also been in the 1960 Rat Pack movie Ocean’s 11.
Great script and direction by Fernando DiLeo. He was the second best Poliziotteschi director after Umberto Lenzi. The Boss is one of the best Poliziotteschis. I’ve got the DVD of it by Raro Video and Nocturno. It also has another good Henry Silva crime movie called Killer Vs. Killers.
Let me know if you’ve watched any more of the Polizotteschis I recommend to you as I’d lbe interested in your opinion on the films.
I recently watched Caliber 9 and I loved that one as well 🙂 You never really know who is really on the protagonist’s side until the very end 🙂
I’m pleased you liked Caliber 9 too. It’s another great film. Great direction by Fernando DiLeo. Gaston Moschi is great as Ugo Piazza and Mario Adorf is also great as Rocco.
The opening sequence is great and the score is great too. It’s one of the best Poliziotteschis.
Caliber 9 has an Arrow Video release which I own. It’s called Milano Calibro 9.
I agree with everything you just said there Pete 🙂 Anyway, my Moviedrome Monday entry on Carrie was posted two days ago If you would like to check that out 🙂 P.S. next week’s Moviedrome Monday will be on The Andromeda Strain and your video of Alex Cox’s intro to it will be on The Andromeda Strain and your video of it (among others) as a link for my fellow bloggers to watch – you included 🙂