Summary Accused of treason, Dr. Jose P.

Rizal awaits trial and meets with his colonial government-appointed counsel, Luis Taviel de Andrade. The two build the case and arguments for the defense as significant events in the central figure's life prior to his incarceration unfold. Upon hearing Rizal's life story, Taviel begins to realize that the accused is not only innocent but exhibits in fact all the qualities of an extraordinary man. When the mock trial unreels, Taviel is all set to act as the prime advocate for his client as Rizal himself is about to give an earth-moving speech to defend his honor and address his countrymen. Meanwhile, the Spanish authorities have worked out the vast political machinery to ensure a guilty verdict. A revolution awaits in the wings. (Source: IMDB) Cast Cesar Montano - Jose Rizal Joel Torre - Crisostomo Ibarra / Simoun Jaime Fabregas - Luis Taviel de Andrade Gloria Diaz - Teodora Alonzo Gardo Versoza - Andres Bonifacio Monique Wilson - Maria Clara Chin Chin Gutierrez - Josephine Bracken Mickey Ferriols - Leonor Rivera Pen Medina - Paciano Peque Gallaga - Archbishop Bernardo Nozaleda, OP Bon Vibar - Ramon Blanco Subas Herrero - Alcocer Tony Mabesa - Camilo de Polavieja Alexis Santaren - Olive Chiqui Xerxes-Burgos - Father Villaclara, SJ

SUMMARY This was the Filipino movie I have been waiting for, for a long time.Most of the Filipino movies that I've seen are cheap imitations ofHollywood movies with forgettable characters and forgettable plots.But I won't be forgetting "Jose Rizal" anytime soon.With impeccable production values and a truly great performance by thelead actor, Cesar Montano, "Jose Rizal" is the equal of anything thatHollywood can produce (and better than most of the crap that Hollywoodroutinely puts out on the street).The movie tells the life story of Jose Rizal, the national hero of thePhilippines. It covers his life from his childhood to his executionat the hands of the Spanish forces occupying the Philippines in thelate 19th century. We are also thrown into the world of Rizal'snovels (filmed in black and white), so we get a glimpse of how heviewed

Filipino society under the Spanish heal.One note, this movie is not for the faint of heart. There are graphicdepictions of violence and even torture. The opening few scenesdepict some episodes from Rizal's novels. In one a Catholic priestrapes a Filipina. I guess I now know where the Mestizo (i.e., mixedblood) class came from in the Philippines. In the other scene aCatholic priest beats a child for alleged stealing. Strong stuff, andit made me wonder how the Catholic Church could possibly retain anypower in the country, if this is what the national hero thought aboutit.The movie introduces us to the life of subjugation of the Filipinopeople under the rule of the Spanish friars. From the execution ofthree Filipino priests in 1872 for alleged subversion to the harsh andunequal treatment of Filipino students in the schools, this film is astinging indictment of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. Wesee scenes both from Rizal's actual life but also from his imagination(via his novels).As a young man, Jose is sent to study in Spain. This is a planhatched by his brother Paciano. Jose will write and do everything inhis power to bring to the attention of the world the abuses of Spanishpower in the Philippines, while Paciano will protect the Rizal familyat home and keep up the struggle against Spanish rule. Jose excels inhis studies as a medical student at Madrid University and eventuallyearns a degree as an ophthalmic surgeon. Meantime, he becomesinvolved with a group of radical Filipino students who also seek toend the Spanish abuses in their country. He eventually has a fallingout with the student group as he realizes that the real struggle is taking place back home. He decides to return to the Philippines.He is arrested by the Spanish authorities upon his return to thePhilippines in 1892. He is sent to Dapitan in Mindanao where theSpanish authorities can keep a watchful eye on him. It is there thathe meets the love of his life, Josephine Bracken, although the moviedoes not devote much attention to this love affair. When a rebellionbreaks out in 1896 the Spanish governor orders that Rizal be moved tothe prison in Manila.It is here that Rizal is introduced to Luis Taviel (played by JaimeFabregas) who has been appointed to defend him at his trial. Tavielis a Spanish officer who at first mistrusts Rizal and views him as adangerous revolutionary. Most of the movie takes place in Rizal'sprison cell and involves Taviel confronting him about his life. Thereare frequent flashbacks but some of them are flashbacks to his novels,so it is sometimes hard to keep the order clear. Eventually Taviellearns to respect Rizal and he decides to do his best job in defendinghim.But it is to no avail. The evil head of the Franciscan order inManila arranges for a new governor to take over control of thePhilippines. The new governor promptly orders a show trial where theoutcome has already been decided. Rizal must die. Despite his bestefforts, Taviel cannot save Rizal from his fate. The verdict isreached and the execution date is set for December 30, 1896. Tavieladmits to Rizal that he is ashamed to be a Spaniard.In what is the most bizarre scene of the movie, on the night beforehis execution, Rizal is confronted by his own character Simoun fromhis novel. Simoun urges Rizal to rewrite him so that his mission canbe for a higher purpose. And so in his final work, Rizal pens "MiUltimo Adios" knowing full well that his death will light the torch ofthe Filipino Revolution.The final few scenes show Rizal being led out to the executionground. He requests to face the firing squad but he is denied. TheSpanish want to shoot him in the back as a traitor. But as he is shotfull of bullets he manages to turn as he falls so that he lands facingthe sky. I must tell you that my wife was crying like a baby duringthis scene and she's seen the movie twice. I must also admit that Ihad some moisture in my eyes too. I was also muttering to myself"Spanish Bastards! Spanish Bastards!". Strong Stuff.

Reaction Paper On Rizal The Movie

I.Impact of the Movie II.a. Rizal's multifaceted aspects include his skills, talents and knowledge about poetry, painting, academics, medicine, philosophy, history, law and international languages. These aspects only prove how intelligent and gifted Rizal is even more when he wrote literary articles to attack the Spanish oppressors in the Philippines. Rizal, as a student, manifested proficiency and excellency because at a very young age, his mother was teaching him basic skills like reading which is very important in his foundation in being such. He excelled in every class he was in except when he entered the university run by the Dominicans where blood prevails more than performance. As a son, he showed his deep love and reverence for his father by simply obeying what his father tells him. For instance, when he took the course his father wanted him to take. As a brother, Rizal also showed his trust, dependence and love for Paciano. He treated him as his second father for the fact that they have a very huge age gap. They were always by each others' side. In fact, Paciano is the first and only person who knew about Rizal flying in to Europe. As a friend, Rizal expressed his loyalty and friendliness. He gained so many friends and acquaintances in school and even in the foreign countries. One great example is his friendship with Blumentritt. They write letters to each other when they want to discuss about important matters and their closeness reached to the point wherein Rizal gained support for his novel from Blumentritt. Also, he had a great friendship with Taviel despite the fact that he has a Spanish blood. This shows how good Rizal is in making friends. Rizal, as a patriot, served as inspirartion for many Filipinos during his time. At a young age, he was already awakened by the abusive treatment of the Spanish regime to the Filipino people that was why he vowed that one day, he would compensate to what they did to his fellowmen. He served as the model to the...