Maria Edralyn Tenajeros BEED SPED 2 TTH 7:30-9:00

MOVIE REVIEW
ON THE
DOCUMENTARY OF THE LIFE OF RIZAL

As a Filipino, a citizen of the Philippines, it is very significant to be aware of the life of

Jose Rizal our national heritage and hero. For certainly, it is he who molds our country
right now. It is us who benefited the suffering, ideals and principles of Rizal for the
betterment of our country. Aside from the books, news papers, etc. a backing of a
documentary film really aid and help our full knowledge and understanding for him.

The Documentary was all about the life of our national hero RIZAL. JOSÉ PROTACIO
RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONSO REALONDA (born 19 June 1861, Calamba, Philippines-
died 30 December 1896, Manila, Philippines), patriot, physician and man of letters
whose life and literary works were an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.

The life of a hero from birth to death. A womb to tomb documentary of Rizal. It tackles
about his family before he was conceived. The family tree of the Mercado’s and the
Alonso’s. The background of from who originates the genes of a person considered as
the pride of the Malayan race. Rizal was the son of a prosperous landowner and sugar
planter of Chinese-Filipino descent on the island of Luzon. His mother, Teodora Alonso,
one of the most highly educated women in the Philippines at that time, exerted a
powerful influence on his intellectual development. The documentary also delivers the
Family that shelters a hero. The siblings that supports his ideals in life. A brother that
consent him in a quest unfathomable where his family suffered most. A quest to uplift
the dignity and pride of his fellowmen, the Filipinos.

It also showcases the early childhood memories of Jose of his beloved home town
Calamba, Laguna. The cradle of a man that molds a Hero, well honored. The place that
witnessed the coming of a prophet. The land that blossoms the artistic creativity of an
artist. The native soil that cultivates the scientific pursuit of a boy.
The didactic journey of enlightenment of the mind. The uphill struggle to attain equality
of the mestizos. From Doňa Teodora’s endearing patience, Maestro Celestino’s strong
whip of knowledge, the scholastic triumph in Ateneo de Manila the Jesuit system of
education, the medical pursuit in the prestigious University of Santo Thomas and more
international journey in hunger for knowledge.

The documentary also reveals the soft side of Rizal. The liaison of different ladies that
captures not only the eyes but also the heart of a hero. There were at least nine women
linked with Rizal; namely Segunda Katigbak, Leonor Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera,
Consuelo Ortiga, O-Sei San, Gertrude Beckette, Nelly Boustead, Suzanne Jacoby and
Josephine Bracken. A man of no handsomeness, these women might have been
beguiled by his intelligence, charm and wit, a natural for Filipinos’.

The reel also depicts the international pass through of a Malayan. On the day of May 3
1882 where he first left his motherland with the aid of his brother Paciano and without
the say-so or consent of his parents which was really grieved. The departure to Spain
the docking in Singapore, the passage through SUEZ CANAL, to Naples and
Marseilles, at the frontier of Barcelona, the educational pursuit in Madrid, the lovelorn
Paris, the ophthalmologic quest in Berlin, at Heidelberg, a lecture in Leipzig and
Dresden, the history in Prague, the queen of Danube, Lintz, to Rheinfall, to Salzburg, to
Munich to Nuremberg, Switzerland, Geneva, Madrid Exposition, the eternal city of Italy,
Rome, Hongkong, the visit in Macao, the liaison in Japan, a visit in the great United
States of America, across the Atlantic, London, Brussels, Biarritz. A journey of hardship,
adversaries, hunger, and deepening the mind and the souls. A journey where he
collected friends who either help him in his ideals or pull him down to his destruction.

It also reveals the start of Rizal’s movements towards freedom. The skirmishing of
beliefs and ideals for the betterment of his country. The fight for freedom from the
oppressive mother Spain. A combat of writings. A fight with a Pen with a shield of faith.
Principles opposed by many not only by the enemies but also by the people he believes
and trust with. A contrasting eye opener of Spain. A freedom most awaited by the
oppressed. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibustirismo a gift cherished not only by us but
also by our neighboring islands and the whole world. The writings, a novel, that break
the Chains and enlightens the Filipinos of the prejudice of the colonial Spaniards. A
trust that moves the country to do something for its motherland and the future of its
children. The principles that ignites the fire of war for freedom. The blood thirsty
oppressed, exploited countrymen wrestle for justice and rights.

And lastly it shows the untimely remarkable death of a hero and a martyr. After a
kangaroo trial. A trial of injustice, bias, and prejudice. A death sentence by gun shots in
Luneta sends the end of an undying man. December 29, 1986 was the busiest day of
our hero. He bade her mother his last farewell and asked for pardon and forgiveness.
Dona Teodora truly lamented this moment not believing that it would be his son who
would first meet their maker. Rizal wrote letters to his love ones but the most significant
of them all is his last farewell poem to his mother land that was kept hidden in a lamp
which he passed to his sister Trinidad whispering that “there is something inside the
alcohol cooking stove” Trinidad understood. This “something” was Rizal’s farewell
poem. That he would witness the brutal death and bereavement of her beloved son.
Grieved and mourned by the Filipinos, celebrated by the Spaniards for they have put an
end to their worst enemy, the thorn to their throat. But unknowingly their merriment will
easily terminate for the cry of the Filipinos will soon be heard and put into action. The
start of the revolution of the 300 years of domination, repression, cruelty and tyranny of
Spain. Unfortunately our hero was not given a proper burial by the friars for he was
considered a traitor of the faith and a traitor to Spain and the government.

All in all, the movie gives justice to the memoirs of our hero Jose Rizal. It gives side
notes for clarity and more understanding for the viewers. The workmanship of the movie
is excellent. I praise the researchers and writers for their intricate knowledge of our
hero. From the personal letters to his friends and relatives, the hero’s achievements,
travels, and romances is well documented and is so amazing. The actors portraying
gives fairness of the real people they’re portraying. The approached of the story on how
to deliver it to their audience is great. Viva Jose Rizal!