The Soldiers of Pancho Villa (Spanish: La Cucaracha) is a 1959 Mexican epic historical drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Ismael Rodríguez, inspired by the popular Mexican Revolution corrido "La Cucaracha". It stars María Félix and Dolores del Río in the lead roles, and features Emilio Fernández, Antonio Aguilar, Flor Silvestre, and Pedro Armendáriz in supporting roles.
| The Soldiers of Pancho Villa | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ismael Rodríguez |
| Screenplay by | Ismael Rodríguez José Luis de Celis Ricardo Garibay Antonio Méndez |
| Story by | José Bolaños Prado |
| Based on | "La Cucaracha" |
| Produced by | Ismael Rodríguez |
| Starring | María Félix Dolores del Río |
| Cinematography | Gabriel Figueroa |
| Edited by | Fernando Martínez |
| Music by | Raúl Lavista |
Production company | Películas Rodríguez |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | Mexico |
| Language | Spanish |
The film was nominated for a Golden Palm award at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival.[1] It was named the ninety-sixth best film of Mexican cinema by Somos magazine.[2] Filming took place in Zacatecas and in Sierra de Órganos National Park in the town of Sombrerete, México[3]
Plot
editWhen the Mexican Revolution was exploding, there was a woman who made history, her name was "La Cucaracha" (María Félix). Her great passion was the Revolution, but her downfall was a man: Colonel Antonio Zeta (Emilio Fernández), who has eyes for another woman, Isabel, the widow (Dolores del Río). The rivalry between both women explodes.
Cast
edit- María Félix as Refugio "La Cucaracha"
- Dolores del Río as Isabel
- Emilio Fernández as Colonel Antonio Zeta
- Antonio Aguilar as Captain Ventura
- Flor Silvestre as Lola
- Ignacio López Tarso as Trinidad
- Cuco Sánchez as Soldier
- Irma Torres as Soldadera
- Miguel Manzano as Gabriel Fuentes
- Lupe Carriles as "Trompeta"
- Humberto Almazán as Soldier
- Alicia del Lago as Pregnant soldadera
- Emma Roldán as Midwife
- Tito Novaro as Jacobo Méndez
- Manuel Trejo Morales as Mayor
- Antonio Haro Oliva as Revolutionary priest
- David Reynoso as Colonel Ricardo Zúñiga
- Amado Zumaya as Soldier
- Luis Mario Jarero as Don Lupe
- Manuel Vergara as Soldier
- Guillermo Hernández as Soldier
- Magdaleno Barba
- Armando Gutiérrez as Priest
- José Carlos Méndez as Pinguico
- Pedro Armendáriz as Colonel Valentín Razo
- Los Dorados as Performers at cantina
- Dueto América as Singing revolutionary duet
Release
editLa Cucaracha premiered at the Robles and Ariel theaters in Mexico City on November 12, 1959 for five weeks.[4] It premiered in the United States at New York City's Tivoli Theatre on November 1, 1961.[5]
Critical reception
editHoward Thompson of The New York Times gave La Cucaracha a positive review by writing: "Although the film never rises in stature above its melodramatic plane and romantic embellishments, it is well acted, crisply directed by producer Ismael Rodríguez and graphically photographed by Gabriel Figueroa... Both Señorita Félix, as the amoral spitfire, and Señorita Del Río, as her aristocratic adversary, are persuasively passionate. Señor Fernández, as their manly quarry, is excellent. Even minus real depth, there is much to be said for a melodramatic eye-filler as tough and tangy as this one. Neighbors below, let's have more."[5]
Accolades
edit| Award | Category | Name | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannes Film Festival | Palme d'Or | Ismael Rodríguez | Nominated |
| Menorah Awards[6] | Best Actress | María Félix | Won |
| Best Director | Ismael Rodríguez | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Festival de Cannes: The Soldiers of Pancho Villa". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "Las 100 mejores películas del cine mexicano". Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ "Filming Location Matching "Sierra%20de%20Organos,%20Sombrerete,%20Zacatecas,%20Mexico" (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)". IMDb.
- ^ Amador, María Luisa (1985). Cartelera cinematográfica, 1950-1959. Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográfico, Dirección General de Difusión Cultural, Dirección Editorial, UNAM. p. 348. ISBN 9688373273.
- ^ a b Thompson, Howard (2 November 1961). "Movie Review: 'La Cucaracha' Has Premiere at the Tivoli". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
- ^ García Riera, Emilio (1994). Historia documental del cine mexicano: 1959-1960. Universidad de Guadalajara. ISBN 9688955396.