JOSE RIZAL

Mary Joy H. Albandia

BSA-3A

FILM REVIEW

Jonathan Ray B. Pinaroc

Instructor
FILM REVIEW (DR. JOSE P. RIZAL)

I. Credits

 Title

Jose Rizal

 Genre

Historical Fiction, Drama and War

 Director

Marilou Diaz-Abaya

 Script Writer

Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana, and Peter Ong Lim

 Music or Soundtrack

Agnus Dei, Lanceros, Awit ni Maria Clara, Las Mananitas, and

Marcha De Cadiz

II. Brief Summary of the Film

The film started with Rizal writing about the hardship of the Filipino under
Spanish Rule. As the film begins, Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character from
Rizal's novel entitled Noli Me Tangere, was introduced, acting as Rizal's alter
ego. Some of the Spanish atrocious acts in his novel like the scene of Filipina
being raped by a friar, or of a child being abuse, were depicted and became a
representation of the same violence that Rizal had witnessed in the real world.

After that, a scene with the Katipunan, headed by Andres Bonifacio was
displayed. He was leading the people to revolt against the smothering
governance of the Spaniards.

The next scenes show how the rumor of Rizal being the initiator of the
revolution had reached the Friars, and how they violently interrogated
Paciano, Rizal's older brother. After this, Rizal was invited to the Fort
Santiago where he was questioned about his involvement with the rising
rebellion and about the novel that he had written. This where his struggle in
the hands of the Spanish Government begun.

Then the scene jumped to Rizal's childhood when his brother was involved in
the three martyred priests named Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora, and when
Rizal started to learn to read and speak Spanish. Rizals were also sent to
school to study. His childhood also entails the famous story of his mother
about the moth drawn into the flames. Rizal also went to Ateneo to study
where he was bullied for his height. This issue about height and superiority
was still experienced even when he went to the University of Santo Tomas.

Then again the story leaped to the present when Rizal was exiled in Dapitan.
This time he talked to Luis Taviel de Andrade, brother of Jose Traviel de
Andrade, Rizal's former bodyguard. Taviel introduced himself as Rizal's
defender for his case. In their conversation, they had tackled Rizal's writings
especially the part when Ibarra attacked a friar.

The story goes on with a flashback about the decision of Paciano for Rizal to
study in Madrid, Spain, for him to secure a better education and enough
knowledge to help free his land from the oppressors. Aside from this, he also
aims to study ophthalmology for him to able to cure his mother's eyes. During
this time, he joined a periodic publication known as La Solidaridad. It is with
the help of this organization that he was able to continue publishing his works
However, he had conflict within the group so he decided to go back to the
Philippines.

Going back to his motherland, Rizal created the La Liga Filipina, where he
met Bonifacio who was so fanatic at that time. At this time, a conflict between
the Governor-general and the head of the friar had occurred. This cause the
Governor-general to lose his position.

When Taviel invited Rizal to have a drink, he remembered when he received a

letter from his brother about the growing brutality in the Philippines and a
letter from Leonor, his former lover, informing him of her wedding. During
the wedding, the part from Rizal's novel when Maria Clara became a nun and
when she died was also displayed.

While Rizal's were reminiscing, Taviel had questioned him about how his
second novel had turned out to be so dark unlike the first. He cited the part of
the novel where Simon had tried to commit arson at a gathering where the
Spanish friars were attending at. Taviel asked if just like Ibarra had change
into Simon, did Rizal also change his principles in life.

The friar held a banquet where it was shown that the Friars were well-
respected by many except Taviel. After this, the day came where Rizal had to
defend himself to the court. Unfortunately, the verdict had been decided, Rizal
must face death as a punishment for a crime he never did. The news had
reached his brother and the Katipunan, to his family. His mother together with
his sister immediately visited him in the jail, saying their last goodbyes.
Before they leave, requested for them to accept a stove where he left a small
paper containing a 14 stanza poem.

Prior to his persecution, Ibarra had shown up, telling Rizal of the chance that
he has still had a chance to change and escape this situation. Rizal seems to
realize something so he wrote again. And then the morning came, Rizal
braced himself to the impending death that was waiting for him. This part
 shows how Rizal marched to Bagong bayan to face his end. Together with his
death, his family read his poem, telling all his farewells. The movie ends with
Bonifacio leading the revolution and the Spaniards starting to fall under their
feet.

III. Main Characters/ Supporting Actor/Actresses

Cesar Montano as Jose Rizal

Joel Torre as Simon/Crisostomo Ibarra

Gloria Diaz as Teodora Alonzo

Gardo Versoza as Andres Bonifacio

Monique Wilson as Maria Clara

 Chin Chin Gutierrez as Josephine Bracken

Mickey Ferriols as Leonor Rivera

Pen Medina as Paciano Mercado

Jaime Fabregas as Luis Taviel de Andrade

IV. Conclusion

1. What was the director’s purpose on intention?

The director’s purpose on intention is to realize that we can fight even if we

only use our strong minds. Also, the movie wants us to be aware of the
sacrifices done by our national hero. We should in return give importance to
this.

2. The theme of the film?

The theme of the film is to convey us Filipinos to open and broaden our
minds to reality and be aware of the brutality of our current world. 
3. What are the moral/ lesson of the film?

After watching the movie, you'll understand how the Filipino warriors fought
the Spaniards for the cause of truth and freedom, and how they learnt to work
together to achieve a common objective. One will also learn that considerable
caution should be done when preparing a revolution, and that excellent
judgment should be used rather than reckless actions. You'll also observe that
Jose Rizal's works address issues that are still relevant today. The inclusion of
his two outstanding books in the classroom would not only foster
appreciation, but it would also open the eyes of Filipinos, particularly the
youth.

4. Your opinion based on the film?

Jose Rizal is a very interesting and thought-provoking movie. First, the plot
has a very unique way of telling the story. Although it jumps to scenes from
the past and the present, it still runs seamlessly. The plot never stays out of
track. The way it holds its consistency until the end was very excellent. This
consistency could be noticed in the parts when the events in real life were
being connected to some parts of Rizal's novel, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo.

The script was so poetic, every line is a quote to remember. It was written
perfectly. It never became discordant to the milieu of the story. Also, every
line proceeds to the next line smoothly and naturally.

The actors were obviously good at their roles. They acted as if they were the
character that they portray. The actors show enough dedication to playing
their role right and to make every single line that they deliver reflect the
character they hold.

All in all Jose Rizal was a great and must-watch film. It never failed to bring
the feeling of patriotism to the audiences. Although it has been two decades
since the film was first watched, and historical films like Heneral Luna and
Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral emerges and more to come, one could still say
Jose Rizal still had its same impact on the audience. Jose Rizal: The Movie
worth the waste of 3 hours of your time.

5. Based on the documented life of Rizal, how will you define and explain the
word HERO?

A hero is someone who is willing to put oneself in harm's way, assists and
save others, and fight no matter what. To put it another way, fight the good
battle. A hero is also someone who is extremely unselfish and occasionally
displays a more compassionate side. There is no difference between right and
wrong when it comes to being a hero. Sure, vigilantism is an element of being
a hero, but it's not the whole picture. A hero is someone who is willing to risk
all to save the day.
6. Cite an example based in your life wherein you disobey your parents just to
do what you want.

When our class batch decided to plan a swimming party and most of my
classmates will attend. I tried to ask for permission to my parents but they
disagree. So what I did is, I left the house secretly since my parents went to
their work and attend the party.

7. In your point of view, what were Rizal’s greatest and weakest attributes?

 Jose Rizal's greatest attributes are being both a nationalist and a

patriot. He's a patriot who wants a united country free of revolutions
and violent movements. He set forth his ideals in the books he penned,
proclaiming his love for our nation, the Philippines. He's a patriot
because of his passion for his homeland; he's willing to lay down his
life for the liberty of our country.
 Rizal's weakest attributes, as practically everyone has stated, is that he
did not participate in the revolution. As I have stated, he seeks
unification without resorting to violence. He seeks a silent war. He is
courageous in his words and writings, yet there are insufficient acts.