Death and the Compass (film)

Death and the Compass is a 1996 American thriller film written and directed by Alex Cox, based on Jorge Luis Borges' 1942 short story of the same name. It stars Peter Boyle, Miguel Sandoval, and Christopher Eccleston. Mexican actress Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez also appears.^[1]

Death and the Compass
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Alex Cox
Written by	Alex Cox
Based on	Death and the Compass by Jorge Luis Borges
Produced by	Karl Braun Lorenzo O'Brien
Starring	Peter Boyle Miguel Sandoval Christopher Eccleston
Cinematography	Miguel Garzón
Edited by	Carlos Puente
Music by	Pray for Rain
Release date	August 5, 1996 (1996-08-05)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3.5 million[citation needed]

The film was originally a 55-minute drama made for Spanish TV/BBC in 1992.^[2] Producer Karl Braun found further money to expand the film into a feature, but the film was not completed for four years. It was filmed on location in Mexico City.

The soundtrack was composed by Dan Wool and Pray for Rain.

Cast

• Peter Boyle as Erik Lonnrot
• Miguel Sandoval as Treviranus
• Christopher Eccleston as Alonso Zunz
• Zaide Silvia Gutierrez as Ms. Espinoza

Home media release

The making of the soundtrack is discussed in a conversation between Cox and Wool on the DVD release.

This also includes a 1976 original film short titled Spiderweb, which is another interpretation of the same Borges short story. National Film School graduate Paul Miller made the 33 minute drama using actor Nigel Hawthorne in one of his first screen roles.

Reception

Death and the Compass holds an approval rating of 17% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.^[3]