The 79 year old passed away on Saturday (13Nov10) in Madrid.
Berlanga made his directorial debut in 1951, teaming up with late moviemaker/screenwriter Juan Antonio Bardem for That Happy Couple.
He was an outspoken critic of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, the former Spanish head of state, and managed to find ways around strict censorship laws to make movies like 1959’s Miracles on Thursdays.
He was also the man behind Welcome Mr. Marshall! and The Executioner, both of which have gone down as classics in the history of Spanish film. He also received high praise for Everyone to Jail! – the 1993 comedy which won him the Goya Award for Best Director.
Berlanga was also recognised by the Academy Awards, landing a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film for Placido in 1961.
He is survived by his wife, Maria, and three sons.
