National Heritage

Set in a Spain moving beyond Franco, the film follows the Leguineche family as they return from years of exile to Madrid to join the social circuit of the aristocracy. The aging Marquis is determined to rebuild a network of distinguished surnames, climb the social ladder, and revive a pompous life that time seems to have left behind. He moves into a central Madrid palace that still belongs to the family and begins shaping daily life to fit aristocratic norms. His wife resents both him and their son, complicating the plan, while the Marquis schemes to blunt her influence and remodel the house so it fits a royal style of living.

Released in 1981, Patrimonio Nacional was directed by Luis Garcia Berlanga with a screenplay by Rafael Azcona. The film marks Berlanga's ongoing commitment to social satire as he probes Spain's post Franco reality where old aristocratic habits collide with a dawning democracy. The tone mixes dry humor and sharp dialogue that have become hallmarks of his work.

Box office figures for this title are not widely documented. The movie found its audience primarily in art house venues and film festivals, with only scattered international release. Critics and scholars remember it for its wit and social observation, rather than commercial impact, reinforcing Berlanga's reputation as a keen observer of Spanish life.

Patrimonio Nacional is often cited for its fearless satire of social climbing during Spain's transition to democracy. The premise of placing a once aloof aristocracy in the modern capital provides a sharp portrait of class tension and the enduring relevance of Berlanga's social critique.

Critics praised the brisk dialogue and the strong ensemble led by Agustín González. The film explores ambition, family power, and the clash between inherited privilege and a more egalitarian era, all filtered through Azcona's precise writing and Berlanga's dry comedic sensibility.