Los peloteros

This isn't just a movie, this is a film. Shows all the sorts of colors that a perceptive mind can capture in black and white. Rivero's acting is so good you don't see he's doing it. Director Delano, whose more notable works are ventures in still photography, translates his dedication to realism to a well written theme set in a small town 1950's Puerto Rico. The film is all about the texture that can be made of every day life. And brings not a boring moment. Somewhere there it touches De Sica's Ladri di Biciclette, no direct comparison is pretended, but the touch is there.

What a loss that it is still not available on broader based VHS or DVD medium. Its brilliance to be unearthed by another generation.

Excellent movie of an era. Is my first time watching a movie like this of Puerto Rico in the 50's. These kids make an acting difference. Also, Ramon Rivero was amazing. Great performance. The coach is played by Puerto Rico's legendary Ramón Rivero, known as Diplo, in a dramatic role that shows the acting range of this great artist. He plays "Pepe", a fellow who no one takes seriously (not even his wife), except the kids he coaches in baseball. He fills the kid's heads with stories of when he used to play the "big leagues" and the kids admire and look up to him. Every Puertorican must see this one. Powerful drama. Actually, this movie is transmitted in the Public TV Channels of PR (Channel 6). A Gem!

Richard 2011

This is the best film ever made in Puerto Rico. Filmed in 1953, it shows a Puerto Rico that no longer exists, it is the story of a group of very poor boys that want to buy baseball uniforms for their team, a team that plays with broken bats, torn mitts... (you get the drift).

The coach is played by Puerto Rico's legendary Ramón Rivero, known as Diplo, in a dramatic role that shows the acting range of this great artist. He plays "Pepe", a fellow who no one takes seriously (not even his wife), except the kids he coaches in baseball. He fills the kid's heads with stories of when he used to play the "big leagues" and the kids admire and look up to him.

This movie works on many levels, and one scene in particular, when Pepe is hauling his precious pig to market...is reminiscent of the great classics.

Beautiful, moving, and with terrific performances, including that of Ramón Rivero and the children, who were not professional actors, but chosen among the poor families of the town where the film was shot.

A true classic.

This is the best film ever made in Puerto Rico. It was shot in 1953 using real kids in a Puerto Rico that no longer exists.

It features Ramón Rivero, better known as Diplo, the Charlie Chaplin on Puerto Rico, in the title role of `Pepe;' more proof of his incredible range as an actor/comedian.

The movie is based on a real story of a group of very poor kids REAL poor...(barefoot, playing with broken bats, torn mitts)...trying to raise funds for their baseball team.

Don Pepe (Ramón Rivero) is their coach, a man who no one but the kids (not even his wife) takes seriously.

There is a scene in this film that will break your heart, and make you cry; reminiscent of `Il Postino,' and `Cinema Paradiso' but in Spanish.

A classic. A gorgeous film for the whole family.

F

I love the message these movies bring to the changing communities because although we are changing our culture, values and ancestral roots are embedded in each and every one of us. We are forgetting this and need to bring back more of these programs. I worked for the Division and it was the best job experience ever. Their are also movies with the actress Lucy Boscan, Braulio Castillo, and many other excellent actors with stories of real heart felt situations and how they overcame regardless of the poverty and the desire to learn and get an education to help their fellow neighbors. We are living catastrophic times and it is unfortunate that our children and adults are looking for other things that don't help us spiritually. We need to do something maybe by bringing more educational programs to the media and the communities.