1898. Los últimos de Filipinas

You have to go back ... back into time. Way back into time that is. As the title suggests 120 years ago right now. You did not have many means of communication, so when you found yourself in a compromising situation, you did not have the opportunity to call for help that easily as it might be today. So Spanish Soldiers find themselves in a very strange war situation with a man at helm who seems determined but also one that goes by he book (for better or worse).

The main character has his positive and negative traits. Something we will come to learn during the course of the movie. He is played by a very famous spanish actor. So there is immediately a certain gravitas. But even people who may see him for the first time will feel his screen presence. And while this is a general (no pun intended) war situation, it does revolve around him and what happened ... obviously not everything will have played out as shown on screen (there could not be enough information for that much detail), but overall this is quite draining ... as it should be

This is one for the history lovers. A spectacular film on the last days of Spain's hold on the Philippines.

Not sure how accurate this film is.. but i totally enjoyed it.

I enjoyed watching this film. I thought the acting was great and everyone pulled their weight in the acting department with very few exceptions if any. The cinematography was superb and I loved looking at the jungle and beach landscapes. The costume design was excellent especially the uniforms.

But what struck me personally is how the dynamics between the Spanish soldiers seem to follow the current political landscape, especially the US. There is a struggle between the older soldiers with their pride and privilege versus the younger soldiers with their openness and common sense. And both factions have some support in the other side - compassionate older soldiers who are sympathetic of the young idealists and loyal young soldiers obedient to higher ranked older officers. Because of this I give the movie a 9.

After the nearly annihilation of the military post in Baler (Philippines) by the local independist forces, the Spanish colonial power decides to send 50 men reinforcement to reclaim the village 200 kilometers from Manila. Due to the local uprising they decide to ditch in the local mission. The Spanish forces, against all odds, manage to resits a siege of more than 11 months. Their epic defence is still part of the Spanish army lore and one of the few watermarks n the 89 traumatic loss of the last Spanish colonies. Baler represents not only the end of the Spanish global Empire but the beginning of the US neocolonial power.