Enamorada

Looking at Emilio Fernández as Mapache in 'The Wild Bunch' it seems almost incredible that in his youth he was recommended by Dolores del Rio as the model for the Oscar statuette. What is indisputable is that he was one of Mexico's most powerful directors during its Golden Age.

Partly inspired by 'The Taming of the Shrew' and a traditional 14th Century Spanish tale this is the first of Fernández' three films featuring the indomitable Maria Félix and in Pedro Armendáriz she has found her ideal acting partner. Two strong personalities whose chemistry is palpable. The character of Beatriz is a quarry that can only be subdued by Love and although she may succumb to José she will of course never be truly 'tamed'. Indeed, why should she?

Believing that film represented 'the most splendid means of expression', Fernández found a soul mate in cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, one of Cinema's great pictorialists whose images have been described as 'murals in movement.' He was also blessed to have the services of editor Gloria Schoemann who reigned supreme at a time when Mexican culture regarded editing as an unsuitable job for a woman.

Four years on came a remake entitled 'The Torch'. Despite having the same director, cinematographer and leading man, it is alas marred by an embarassingly coquettish performance by a thirty-nine year old Paulette Goddard. It is a sorry affair that simply serves to confirm the magnificence of the original.

A batallion of Mexican revolutionaries comes into a Mexican town and the leader of the band falls for the daughter of the of the town's wealthy class.

There must be some symbolism in there, but it's not transmitted very deftly.

The movie is mostly somber. There are a few pieces of questionably convoluted political dialogue as the characters argue with each other and plenty of executions by firing squad. What struck me most about the film is the fact that there are some real lapses in tone, such as when the general flies off a horse or a scene where there's some slapstick with a log.

The romance is not very well-developed. The guy catcalls the woman and she slaps him... and slaps him and slaps him... And he keeps pursuing her until she gets with him. Nevertheless, as with most of these old Ariel winners, it was probably meant to be a symbolic and not realistic movie - the poor and the rich finding peace with each other. But it's not particularly well-done.

It's a little better than the standard fare for the era and certainly watchable, but nothing special. Good battle scenes, though!

Honourable Mentions: White tiger (2021). A film about the plight of the poor at the hands of the cruel rich. Excellent movie.

When two very independent persons from opposite backgrounds fall in love, what can you expect?? Nothing but trouble. This love story takes place during the Mexican Revolution times(Early 1900's), but could very well take place in any other place or time in the world. The beauty of this picture is mainly due to the the great work of art performed by its photographer, Gabriel Figueroa that captures incredible moments, when by only looking at the main actress' eyes everything is said and understood. The Director, who else but Emilio, El Indio, Fernandez is said to have made this picture, as a reflection of his own life. A Revolutionary General that falls in love with the town's most beautiful and richest lady, someone perhaps too high above his social level. It is an entertaining movie where you can feel the rejection of the upper classes to the dominant peasants invading forces. The main actor was one of Mexico's greatest from its "Golden period": Pedro Armendariz, and the leading lady, Mexican Goddess, Maria Felix. As an added piece of information, due to the "Indio Fernandez" great international fame, a second version of this movie was filmed in English and directed by him in Hollywood in 1949 under the title: The Torch. Pedro Armendariz, who was born and raised in the USA repeated his role as in the original movie, along with Paulette Goddard(Charlie Chaplin's former wife). This second version was not quite as good as the original one.

Armendáriz was terrific in this. I won't repeat the praises from prior reviews, I concur.

My only problem with this film is that it wasn't true to the revolution. In that sense, it was indeed a Fernandez film as neither was he true to the revolution. He gave a Cristero slant to the issues of Church/State and redistribution of wealth. Just take it as a love story set in the revolutionary period and try to ignore the political bias. Jeeze, you'd think he'd have shown more gratitude having been pardoned by Lázaro Cárdenas for his treason.

Pedro Armendáriz, María Felix and the town of Cholula were the great stars of this film. The exteriors were certainly shot in Cholula.

There were some snippets of revolutionary period music (La Adelita and El Tren) and an anachronistic performance of Malageña Salerosa when he had mariachi serenade María Felix. That song is so lovely, I didn't mind.

A really exceptional movie. Maria Felix is stunningly beautiful, Pedro Armendáriz is extremely handsome, Emilio Fernandez's direction is spot on, and Gabriel Figueroa's cinematography is exceptional (he worked with Gregg Toland of Citizen Kane and Grapes Of Wrath fame - and it shows).

Often called the Gone With The Wind of Mexican cinema and with a plot that has been referred to as Mexico's Taming Of The Shrew, it's a film of many parts, all excellent. Starts as a movie about the Mexican revolution, then quickly turns into a film about class distinctions and a romantic battle of wills between a beautiful, hot-tempered, haughty, upper-class woman and a lower-class, powerful general.

The serenade scene - with close-ups of Felix's eyes and the songs of the mariachis - is one of those rare moments of cinematic perfection.

Most highly recommended.

Added note: This may be a bit hard to find with English subtitles, so look for the Alter's Collection - !Vive Mexico! DVD version.