Oro, Plata, Mata

Oro Plata Mata is not just a war film. It is a harrowing exploration of how quickly civility crumbles in the face of brutality. Set against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, the film follows two wealthy families seeking refuge deep in the jungle, only to find that their gilded escape offer no true refuge from the chaos that is upon them. Instead of focusing on battles, Gallaga masterfully portrays the insidious erosion of the human condition.

The film is visually stunning, with great shots of the Philippine landscape. Gallaga uses symbolism effectively, particularly the recurring motif of the "oro, plata, mata" (gold, silver, death) game played by the families, which foreshadows their inevitable decline. While the narrative sometimes suffer from pacing issues, the performances are strong and compelling. The characters' development is deeply unsettling and shows the moral compass of each.

The movie avoids simplistic portrayals of black and white. Instead, it explores the complexities of collaboration and resistance, highlighting the moral ambiguities that arise in times of war. It's not merely a story about the horrors inflicted by the enemy but also about the internal conflicts and fracturing of relationships within a society under siege.

It is both a powerful and an unforgettable cinematic experience. Gallaga's film is a reminder of the devastating human cost of war, extending beyond weapons and skirmishes. It's a film that makes you think on the fragility of civilization and the fall of the human mind.

This might be an unpolar opinion.

I watched this movie because too many people consider this classic and rave about it. I love classic filipino film. My favorite movies are Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang and Himala.

This movie however...

It was disappointing. I understand that this is supposed to be a portrayal of the rich and affluent's lives in times of war but all it showed was the rich partying in the city for a long period of the beginning (oro) then the rich having a vacation at an hacienda (plata) and the rich camping at the mountains (mata). Of course the peppered that with talks of war which btw seem like so far away from them. Then in an effort to bring the war closer to them, they were once visited by wouded guerillas and showed some unnecessary gruesome scenes like sewing of bloody wounds. Then we see one Japanese soldier on the river killed brutally, why is he there? Where are the pthers? Why is no one finding these people in the mountains when a japanese was there in the river. Then theres the betrayal of melchor, which may one of the few things in the movie that made sense but was immediately ruined by the ambush part where Miguel and Hermes ak rambo went into the bandits camp heroically and kill everyone even though miguel have a heart problem apparently, another poorly executed character development. Why would Trining go with the bandits anyway? Then why would she call everyone animals at tue end? Kinda hypocritical considering she had sex with Hermes when miguel is her BF and went with the bandits for no apparent reason but a poor character development.

Iguess I was expecting the characters to connect more with the war, but they seem so far off...even the last scene where the party is not lively as the first scene, it still didn't quite feel like there was a war that supposed to somehow changed them into animals in the first place...What happened to the hacienda anyway? What happens after the war? Aside from partying and trining hating everyone when shes the most annoying character?

In honor of Peque Gallaga's life, I finally grabbed the chance to watch his masterpiece. Man, I am deeply ashamed that it took me this long to see it. This is in all ways the most complete Filipino film I ever had the privilege to witness. From the breathtaking photography, haunting music, and humanistic characters to impressive writing and radical directing, Oro, Plata, Mata has it all. Now, it all makes sense why this is widely celebrated and regarded as one of the greatest Filipino films ever. Let me add further that this is one of the best in the world! I was moved. No, knocked out of my seat how it had shown boldly the colorful heritage we have. Time and time again, we are reminded that the crucial enemies Filipinos face are ourselves. It's sad and enraging how it still rings true up to this time, more than 75 years after. All the collective trauma this nation faced are seem to be forgotten and pushed back inside us to give an illusion of victory. But have we learned? Did we move forward? Until we acknowledge our roots, study the past, demand accountability, and take control of our own history, Filipinos will just keep killing Filipinos. We will never rise truly.

Thank you Peque Gallaga for gifting us this Filipino treasure that I will now hold close to my heart. Safe to say, I already found what I have always been looking for in that little corner of our history. May you rest in peace.

One of the notable films in Philippine cinema, "Oro, Plata, Mata" (Gold, Silver, Death) is one of the epics of the silver screen immersive in breadth and scope. Set on the eve of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II the tale depicts two wealthy land owning families from the province whose affluent existences are turned upside down with the outbreak of war. From there it's an odyssey into the heart of darkness as social barriers break down and an endurance test of life-changing events ensue. Ace direction and good acting are further highlighted and complemented by the flawless editing and cinematography. If there's one flaw with the film it's the length. While watchable the movie would have had more of an impact in shorter form with the slow parts excised to heighten the best and gripping parts. Perhaps famed director Peque Gallaga's masterpiece and some of the best acting by the country's film luminaries, "Oro, Plata, Mata" is one of the most successful triumphs of art as life.

Without any offence to Filipino cinema, this movie was horrible. I was misled by the number of people calling it a masterpiece and my love for foreign and historical films, and couldn't expect what was coming. I suffered so much watching it that in the end I sympathised with that girl begging to be shot in the head. The reasons of my suffering in brief: 1. Sound design is extremely bad, struggling to listen to the characters' voices, the SFX were childish. 2. Unnecessarily long (3 hours that felt like 5). Impressed to learn that was initialy 5h long... 3. Nonsensical and unrealistic violence, made you feel like you are watching a low budget splatter. 4. That joke of a Rambo-like fighting scene near the end of the film that was so amateurishly executed and so long, that felt as if it was a practical joke on the viewer 5. Random sex happening 6. With the exception of a couple of good scenes (like the hacienda fire), the cinematography/photography was very dull 7. Characters (even ghosts) appearing and disappearing without meaning or connection to the plot 8. Excuse my OCD, but even the title Oro, plata, mata (3 part) is not in accordance with the film which is somehow in 4 parts (city, hacienda, forest house, slaughterhouse). 9. The relationships between the characters in the plot were very superficial. Despite the good acting from a couple of the ladies, the rest was so thin that it couldn't hold together the plot.

In case you are expecting to watch a historical epic movie (like the ones OPM is often compared to) I would really suggest you skip. Instead of the treasure you are seeking, you will find a carton of spoiled milk.