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Certainly one of the most romantic films of the classic period, with full-bodied performances, charming detail, and glowing photography. The famed native Mexican director "El Indio" presents archetypal characters and situations without descending into melodrama, very similar in style to John Ford or Jean Renoir (particularly in the use of dramatic long shots and strikingly lit close-ups). Although he portrays the Indians as unspoiled and noble, he is not afraid to critique their own prejudices, as well as present both villainous and sympathetic white Mexicans.

'Maclovia' is the beautiful heroine forbidden by her father from even making eye contact with the handsome hero, until a repulsive army sergeant billeted on their village begins making advances to the virtuous Maclovia and thus alerts papa to the fact that there are far worse suitors she could fall prey to than poor but decent Jose Maria.

More plot is then suddenly packed into the final twenty minutes than the preceding eighty minutes, and visually the film abruptly changes from romantic neorealism to gothic melodrama...

Emilio Fernández was one of the best directors of Mexican classical cinema, Maclovia is a masterpiece of art work; but, i wonder?... and the cinematography?...Patzcuaro's Lake is one of the most beautiful places in México...I'm Michoacano, so was a great honor for us: Mr. Fernández was making the film, taking to the world the magnificent charming of this piece of land and water that is Patzcuaro Lake and his islands: Yunuen, Janitzio, La Pacanda y Uranden, and the famous fishermen with his "canoas" and the characteristic butterfly web. Maclovia take on a strong drama, the passion, the love and the jealousy of a poor men, for his pretty and young woman.

Maclovia presents a paradox of human nature. The authority that is supposed to impose the law brings chaos and injustice, and an action that represents compassionate and selfless sacrifice is punishable by death. Emilio Fernandez, one of the best directors not only of Mexican cinema but of the whole world, presents a web of human evil with a background of enormous beauty,the Lake of Patzcuaro and the Island of Janitzio. Ironicaly, Maclovia's beauty (Maria Felix) is also a curse since it inflames the crudest passions of Sgt. Genovevo de la Garza, magnificently represented by Carlos Lope Moctezuma. Jose Maria (Pedro Armendariz) represents an opposing force, and he attempts to educate himself in an effort to deserve the beauty and purity of Maclovia,but the presence of evil remains incomprehensible.