It is an adaptation of the 1926 novel Tirano Banderas by Ramón María del Valle-Inclán.

It stars Gian Maria Volonté as the title character, also featuring Ana Belén, Juan Diego, Fernando Guillén, Ignacio López Tarso and Javier Gurruchaga.

An adaptation of the (often presented as "unadaptable") novel Tirano Banderas, a standout work of the esperpento genre which underpins a criticism of abuses of power,[1] the plot tracks the developments in the fictitious republic of Santa Fe de Tierra Firme, ruled by megalomaniac dictator Santos Banderas.

[2] The dictator has been noted to display an amalgamation of features from real dictators such as Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, Miguel Primo de Rivera or Juan Vicente Gómez.

[3] Featuring an ambitious budget of 450 million ₧,[4] the film was produced by Ion Films S. A. with the collaboration of Iberoamericana Films Producción S. A., Atrium Productions S. A., Promociones Audiovisuales Reunidas S. A., Antena 3 Televisión, ICAIC and Cinematográfica del Prado.