A documentary film about the oldest mystery play in the world
Every August since the 14th century the citizens of the Spanish town of Elche, 15 minutes' drive from the busy tourist airport of Alicante, have celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a three-day festival. The first evening is a spectacular firework fiesta. On the next two evenings the Mystery Play is performed in the town's great basilica. It tells the story of the Virgin Mary 's death and Assumption into Heaven. The singers and actors are all amateurs, citizens of Elche, many of them with long family traditions of performing in the play.
This film, produced by the Folger Shakespeare Library of America, tells the story of the Elche Mystery Play and shows it as it happened in 1978. Directed by GUDIE LAWAETZ , MICHAEL DODDS Executive producer o. B. HARDISON JR