Benito Alazraki

Writer, Director, Producer

October 27, 1921 — June 7, 2007 (85 years)
Benito Alazraki (27 October 1921 – 6 June 2007) was a Mexican film director and screenwriter whose career spanned commercial features, documentary work, and genre cinema.

He founded Panamerican Films, produced and co-wrote the script for Enamorada (directed by Emilio Fernández), and made a cycle of indigenist documentaries for Teleproducciones led by producer Manuel Barbachano Ponce.

His feature debut, Raíces—an episodic adaptation of El diosero by Francisco Rojas González—received the International Critics’ Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and later a special honor from the Ariel Awards.

He then moved into commercial filmmaking with titles such as Los amantes and later directed popular genre films including Santo Contra los Zombis and Espiritismo, the latter adapted from The Monkey's Paw.

He also produced, wrote, and directed extensive television work in Spain, and on returning to Mexico held senior posts at Canal 13 and CONACINE.

Known For

  • Enamorada
    Enamorada1946
  • The Curse of the Doll People
    The Curse of the Doll People1961
  • Santo vs. the Zombies
    Santo vs. the Zombies1962
  • Roots
    Roots1954
  • Spiritism
    Spiritism1962
  • La Casa Que Arde de Noche
    La Casa Que Arde de Noche1987
  • Frankenstein, the Vampire and Company
    Frankenstein, the Vampire and Company1962
  • Rebelde sin casa
    Rebelde sin casa1960
  • La tijera de oro
    La tijera de oro1960
  • Mothers' Day
    Mothers' Day1969
  • Tin Tan y las modelos
    Tin Tan y las modelos1960
  • A ritmo de twist
    A ritmo de twist1962
  • Balún Canán
    Balún Canán1977
  • El vestido de novia
    El vestido de novia1959
  • Ladrones de niños
    Ladrones de niños1958
  • Mundo mágico
    Mundo mágico1983
  • Dangers of Youth
    Dangers of Youth1960
  • Amor a balazo limpio
    Amor a balazo limpio1961
  • The Gunslingers
    The Gunslingers1962
  • El tigre negro
    El tigre negro1962