Montserrat

TV Movie
1971
2h

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Keir Dullea, Rip Torn, Geraldine Page, and Jess Walton in Montserrat (1971)

The story is set during the South American Wars of Independence. Simón Bolivar, the liberator, has escaped from Spanish custody with the aid of an idealistic Spanish officer, Captain Montser... Read allThe story is set during the South American Wars of Independence. Simón Bolivar, the liberator, has escaped from Spanish custody with the aid of an idealistic Spanish officer, Captain Montserrat. The Spanish commander, Colonel Izquierdo ('left' in Spanish), threatens Montserrat wi... Read allThe story is set during the South American Wars of Independence. Simón Bolivar, the liberator, has escaped from Spanish custody with the aid of an idealistic Spanish officer, Captain Montserrat. The Spanish commander, Colonel Izquierdo ('left' in Spanish), threatens Montserrat with torture to find out where Bolivar can be recaptured. Izquierdo decides that this will p... Read all

Director
- David Friedkin
Writers
- Lillian Hellman
- Emmanuel Roblès
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- David Friedkin
Writers
- Lillian Hellman
- Emmanuel Roblès
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 1 nomination total

Photos2

User reviews4

7.428

Featured reviews

10himan-5

An unforgettable program

I saw Montserrat for the first time as a teenager and was haunted for weeks by the story; indeed I have searched TV listings for it ever since, to no avail. It may have been the first time in my young life that I realized there were truly heartless people on this planet. I believe the events portrayed are fictional; still, the severe testing of one's convictions, the callous disregard for the lives and feelings of others, the cowardice and courage in the face of death by young and old alike, were themes played out in such convincing fashion that the viewer can't help but come away introspective, moved.

I sincerely hope that PBS or someone will air this presentation again, with sufficient promotion to get the attention of the viewing public (and so that I don't somehow miss it).

sageprod

A gut wrenching and unforgettable program

I was delighted to find out that there are others who remember this program. It remains one of the most moving dramas I have seen, on television or anywhere else. One thing that does not appear in the cast lists or the in any of the comments is the performance by Martin Sheen as a Mexican artisan, a carver of "santos", the holy figures of saints that are a part of the decoration of all Catholic churches.

Rip Torn's performance was stunning, too. As near as I can remember the cast, casting and direction were flawless. I, too, have often wondered why it never reappeared on the screen.

Hellman's original play is a wonderfully challenging script, challenging for the audience. It is one of the few dramas I have seen that made me really evaluate what I think is important enough that I would consider dying for.

wyliejordan

A dramatic moment in history

This is a somewhat theatrical but very moving story, based on a play by Lillian Hellman. The action takes place in Venezuela during the early 19th century wars of independence. Five innocent people are being held by the Spanish army which is in pursuit of Simón Bolivar and his revolutionary force. These five have been given just one hour to provide the Spanish with the information that army needs to capture Bolivar, or each of the six will be executed. The tension builds as we wait for their decision; to see whether they will be executed or reprieved. The way in which they deal with each other and come to grips with this situation is moving and realistic.