Jose Rizal by: Marilou Diaz Abaya Film Review

First, this movie is rated SPG. There are graphic depictions of violence and even
torture. The opening few scenes depict some episodes from Rizal's novels. In one a
Catholic priest rapes a Filipina. I guess I now know where the Mestizo (i.e., mixed
blood) class came from in the Philippines. In the other scene a Catholic priest beats a
child for alleged stealing. Strong thing, and it made me wonder how the Catholic Church
could possibly retain any power in the country, if this is what the national hero thought
about it.

The movie tells the life story of Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. It
covers his life from his childhood to his execution at the hands of the Spanish forces
occupying the Philippines in the late 19th century. We are also thrown into the world of
Rizal's novels (filmed in black and white), so we get a glimpse of how he viewed Filipino
society under the Spanish heal.

The movie introduces us to the life of subjugation of the Filipino people under the rule
of the Spanish friars. From the execution of three Filipino priests in 1872 for alleged
subversion to the harsh and unequal treatment of Filipino students in the schools, this
film is a flashing indictment of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. We see scenes
both from Rizal's actual life but also from his imagination
The movie focuses on the condition of the society and also to the government at the
time of the Spanish Colonization. With the use of the novels, "Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo" written by himself the Filipinos have been awaken to the reality such as
the abusive ways of the Spaniards towards the Filipino people. It really gave the picture
of abusing and oppression of the Spanish Government and also the Friars. Because of
that, Dr. Jose Rizal finally realized that writing was the best way on how to awake the
hearts of these poor Filipino and that the start of the climax, the start of fighting. Rizal
didn't really stay being blind, mute and deaf in fighting the condition of the Filipino. He
also criticized the Friars in using the religion for abusing the people. The movie had
successfully showed some of the characteristics of the Filipino like being brave and
Patriotism especially at the time of Rizal. But lastly, the most important for him was to
give his country the freedom and justice until the end of his life.

At a young age, Rizal was sent to Spain for study. This plan was made by Paciano, with
this strategy, Rizal will able to move freely, study and convince the Spanish
Government about the abuses happening in the Philippines, while Paciano and his
family struggle against the Spanish rules. Rizal excels in his study in medicine at Madrid
University. Meantime, he becomes involved with a group of radical Filipino students who
also seek to end the Spanish abuses in their country. He eventually has a falling out
with the student group as he realizes that the real struggle is taking place back home.
He decided to come back to Philippines.
He is arrested by the Spanish authorities upon his return to the Philippines in 1892. He
is sent to Dapitan in Mindanao where the Spanish authorities can keep a watchful eye
on him. It is there that he meets the love of his life, Josephine Bracken, although the
movie does not devote much attention to this love affair. When a rebellion breaks out in
1896 the Spanish governor orders that Rizal be moved to the prison in Manila. It is here
that Rizal is introduced to Luis Taviel who has been appointed to defend him at
his trial. Taviel is a Spanish officer who at first mistrusts Rizal and views him as a
dangerous revolutionary. Most of the movie takes place in Rizal's prison cell
and involves Taviel confronting him about his life. There are frequent flashbacks but
some of them are flashbacks to his novels, so it is sometimes hard to keep the
order clear. Eventually Taviell earns to respect Rizal and he decides to do his best job
in defending him. But it is to no avail. The evil head of the Franciscan order in Manila
arranges for a new governor to take over control of the Philippines. The new governor
orders a show trial where the outcome has already decided. Rizal must die. Despite his
best efforts, Taviel cannot save Rizal from his fate. The judgment is reached and the
execution date is set for Dec. 30, 1896. Taviel admits to Rizal the he is ashamed to be a
Spaniard In what is the most unusual scene of the movie, on the night before his
execution, Rizal is confronted by his own character Simoun from his novel. Simoun
urges Rizal to rewrite him so that his mission can be for a higher purpose. And so in his
final work, Rizal pens "MiUltimo Adios" knowing full well that his death will light the torch
of the Filipino Revolution.

In overall, the movie focuses on the condition of the society and also to the government
at the time of the Spanish Colonization. With the use of the novels, "Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo" written by himself the Filipinos have been awaken to the reality
such as the abusive ways of the Spaniards towards the Filipino people. It really gave
the picture of abusing and oppression of the Spanish Government and also the Friars.
Because of that, Dr. Jose Rizal finally realized that writing was the best way on how to
awake the hearts of these poor Filipino and that the start of the climax, the start of
fighting. Rizal didn't really stay being blind, mute and deaf in fighting the condition of the
Filipino. He also criticized the Friars in using the religion for abusing the people. The
movie had successfully showed some of the characteristics of the Filipino like being
brave and Patriotism especially at the time of Rizal. But lastly, the most important for
him was to give his country the freedom and justice until the end of his life.
The movie pertains the life of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Describing his youthful
life, his studies, his life when he was endeavoring in the other country, his journey, his
life when he was in Dapitan and finally his life when death was approaching to him.
The focus of the camera is very clear and it helps the scene to be seen truly. The
pictures on the movie is clear. Obviously, the actions and on how the actors and
actresses move is very truthful in the eyes of the viewers. the setting like mountains or
hills, the farms and the surrounding are also clear. They also carefully used the
technologies in order to give more of the quality of the movie.

The Jose Rizal movie is considered as an Obra Maestra directed by a Veteran Director
named Marilou Diaz- Abaya. She is really a daughter of an art and this movie proved
that. Her ways are very effective in giving the real happenings in the life of Dr. Jose
Rizal. The movie was being portrayed clear and the viewers would really believed that it
was really as it was before from the setting, actors and actresses and also the time.

Flashback .We can really see from its whole movie because the story started at the jail.
This happened when his death was approaching. He talked to Atty. Jose Taviel de
Andrade. He narrated his life from being a child until being a grown-up man. He also
narrated his love for the country until to his death. The story primarily focuses on the life
of Rizal as a good son, respectful and intelligent student and a true gentleman. It
focuses also to his works in arts but not in every woman who got involved to him.
Obviously, the role of the women before was they don’t have major role in speaking but
on the action that's very essential in delivering the message. The core message of the
movie was saying what is the real meaning of "Patriotism" that was being instilled in
every Filipino's mind.