The Bat Woman

(La mujer murciélago)
René Cardona | Fiction, Adventure, Science Fiction, Classic

1968 | 81 minutes | Mexico

A new restoration of a fascinating and little-known Mexican entry in the Batman superhero canon.

Synopsis

NEW RESTORATION!

A whacked-out scientist is capturing wrestlers (because they are “perfect”) and using their spinal fluid to create a Gill Man. Two cops call in Batwoman to investigate. She steals aboard the baddies boat, uncovers his mad plan, but she is discovered and during a scuffle our hero tosses acid in the scientists face. This doesn’t sit too well with him and he seeks revenge. His plan: to capture her and turn her into a Gill Woman!

The Bat Woman is a fascinating and little known entry in the Batman superhero canon. Taking advantage of Batman’s increased popularity, director René Cardona, known later for his luchador adventures, aimed to showcase the talents of actress Maura Monti by splicing elements of “Batmania” with Mexico’s popular lucha libre style. Dressed in cape, cowl, boots, and bikini, Maura takes on the lead role of Batwoman, called upon to investigate an evil, whacked-out scientist who is capturing wrestlers for diabolical experiments. - Museum of the Moving Image

This film is part of The Permanencia Voluntaria Archives, which main objective is to rescue, preserve, and restore the popular cinema of Mexico's cinematographic history.

Reviews

"A delightful, warmhearted entertainment with a handmade quality… the unpretentious fun of "The Bat Woman" feels all the more precious in comparison with many of today’s lumbering superhero franchises.” - The New York Times

"'The Bat Woman' is an incredibly enjoyable film. A jaunty horn-based score keeps the mood upbeat throughout. So, if you like 'Austin Powers', Adam West’s 'Batman', or any of the Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello movies, you will love this." - Lorry Kikta, Film Thread

Citation
Main credits

Calderón Stell, Guillermo (film producer)
Cardona, René (film director)
Salazar, Alfredo (screenwriter)
Monti, Maura (actor)
Cañedo, Roberto (actor)
Godoy y Reyes, Hector (actor)

Other credits

Cinematography, Agustín Jiménez; editing, Jorge Bustos; music, Antonio Díaz Conde.


Citation
Cataloging
Keywords
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Clips
No clips are available yet.
Festivals

Locarno Film Festival; Morelia International Film Festival; TCM Film Festival

DIRECTOR: René Cardona

NATIONALITY: Mexico

YEAR: 1968

GENRE: Fiction, Adventure, Science Fiction, Classic

LANGUAGE: Spanish

COLOR / B&W: Color

GRADE LEVEL: High School, College, Adult

SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE

AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE

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