From Nuffnang

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

"Jose Rizal" DVD Cover

One hundred and fifty-one years ago today, our national hero Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna.  Rizal's stature as the Philippines' national hero resulted in his presence in many items of daily living: matches, coins, cement, name it...


Rizal's life has been a subject in film since the inception of Philippine cinema.  The most notable of which was GMA Network Films' production in 1998.  Cesar Montano did the honor of portraying our national hero, under the direction of Marilou Diaz-Abaya.


In 2006, the movie was released in DVD format by GMA Records Home Video:





Jose Rizal, DVD, Jose Rizal DVD
The DVD is part of a friend's movie collection.  Home-viewing only, not for rental.


An entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival that year, Jose Rizal made a killing at the box-office, while almost sweeping 16 awards at the festival.  Jose Rizal also gained worldwide acclaim, winning over 70 international awards.


Other cast members include Gloria Diaz, Joel Torre, Jaime Fabregas, Gardo Versoza, Gina Alajar, Tanya Gomez, Ronnie Lazaro, Subas Herrero, Pen Medina, Chinchin Gutierrez, Monique Wilson, Jhong Hilario, and Mickey Ferriols.


Crew include Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana, and Peter Ong Lim (Screenplay); Rody Lacap (Director of Photography); Leo Abaya (Production Designer); Jess Navaro and Manet Dayrit (Film Editors); Backroom, Inc./Carlos Agustin (Publicity & Promotions); Gregg de Guzman (Line Producer); Butch Jimenez, Jimmy Duavit, and Marilou Diaz-Abaya (Producers); Menardo R. Jimenez, Gilberto Duavit, and Felipe L. Gozon (Executive Producers)


Special DVD features include the theatrical trailer and a Probe Team-produced documentary on the making of the film. 


Some notes about the film:

* Aga Muhlach was the original choice as Jose Rizal, under the direction of Mike de Leon.

* Cesar Montano had been known for leading roles in action movies before this film.

* Scenes from Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, novels by Rizal, were depicted in the film in black-and-white.


* Joel Torre who played the roles of Crisostomo Ibarra and Simoun (main characters in Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, respectively) has the same date of birth as Jose Rizal.  They were born exactly a hundred years apart. Interestingly, Torre's real given name is Jose Rizalino.

* In 1999, Joel Torre portrayed Jose Rizal in the film Bayaning 3rd World, which was directed by Mike de Leon.

* The film was playing in theaters when our country commemorated the one hundred second anniversary of Rizal's martyrdom on December 30, 1998.

13 comments:

  1. I hope people in the film industry will produce more quality films like this.

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  2. A wonderful tribute to our national hero, Jose Rizal..Yes, a real good movie recommended for students and every Pinoy as well. And by the way, great interesting notes!

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  3. I think this was one of the better adaptation of Rizal's life.

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  4. Wonderful film! I still remember how many times I've watched this. Not just because we're supposed to but we also bonded over this as a family.

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  5. this is so useful! when i was in highschool i only had books and went to theaters to watch rizal different stories or chapters, cool!

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  6. The role really fits Cesar... haven't watched it but will sure to buy a copy :)

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  7. Sana sa susunod MMFF meron nang Jose Rizal movie. Meron na kasing entry para kay Emilio Aguinaldo.

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  8. I think we should once again be making films like this.

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  9. I remember seeing this movie. Hopefully, producers will create more movies like this one.

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  10. I have not seen this movie before, but thanks for the reminder, I will finally watch it soon! Will contact you regarding its plot.

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