Product Details

• Actors: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Quinn, Dolores del Rio, Pablo Ferro, Pedro Almodóvar
• Directors: Alberto Domínguez, Nancy De Los Santos, Susan Racho
• Format: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Questar
• DVD Release Date: January 7, 2003
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006LPDE
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,214 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Narrated by Wanda De Jesus, The Bronze Screen honors the past, illuminates the present, and opens a window to the future of Latinos in motion pictures. From silent movies to urban gang films, stereotypes of the Greaser, the Lazy Mexican, the Latin Lover, and the Dark Lady are examined. Rare and extensive footage traces the progression of this distorted screen image to the increased prominence of today’s Latino actors, writers, and directors. Featuring insights on Anthony Quinn, Rita Hayworth, Rita Morena, Raquel Welch, Benicio Del Toro, Antonio Banderas, Desi Arnaz, Salma Hayek, John Leguizamo, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Smits, Raul Julia, Cesar Romero, Carmen Miranda, Dolores del Rio, Lupe Velez, Ricardo Montalban, Jose Ferrer, Cheech Marin, and many more. With scenes from The Addams Family, Chinatown, Colors, Days of Heaven, El Mariachi, Giant, Gilda, The Godfather III, High Noon, King Kong, La Bamba, Like Water for Chocolate, The Magnificent Seven, Selena, Touch of Evil, Up in Smoke, Viva Zapata, West Side Story, The Wild Bunch, Zoot Suit, and dozens of other movies. Extra Features: The following film trailers serve as tributes to three of the most influential and legendary Latino forces in Hollywood history: Anthony Quinn – Includes insights from his OSCAR winning roles in Viva Zapata and Lust for Life. Plus scenes from Quinn’s most famous performance as Zorba the Greek. Rita Hayworth – Playing the title role in Gilda made Miss Hayworth a star. As the sultry Miss Sadie Thompson, she was truly unforgettable. Rita Moreno – From the original coming attraction of West Side Story, it was evident Ms. Moreno would pick up an OSCAR for her performance in the film.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Estupendo! Maravilloso! Bravo!, January 20, 2003

By 

Jeffery Mingo (Homewood, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood (DVD)

A lot of people don't know that film has been around for a century and they REALLY don't know that Latinos have been depicted in them since the beginning. Defeating notions that Latinos have only been in Hollywood since they were about to become the largest minority group, this documentary is a brilliant investigation of both Latinos and Hollywood. This is strong cultural studies in which the interviewees make clear why the analysis of race and representation is so crucial to academics, politics, and modern life in general.

This film should be applauded for its gender-inclusivity. Not only are Latino and Latina interviewees featured, but the depictions of Latino masculinity and Latina femininity are examined as shown in film. Further, the narrator is a woman (Wanda de Jesus) at a time when most narrators are male (think of the narrator for VH-1's "Behind the Music", for instance). However, Ramon Novarro is mentioned as the first Latino Hollywood star, yet it's never mentioned that he was openly gay.

While most of the film characters are Chicano, the interviewees range the gamut in terms of Latin American ancestry. The film not only features actors and actresses; it includes Latino directors, producers, set designers, and others. For readers of Latino film studies, it is great to see the faces behind prolific academics such as Noriega and Ramirez-Berg.

This documentary is excellent in terms of covering film issues, but also Latino issues generally. The film mentions that Mexico banned American movies for a long time due to their negative depictions of Mexicans. Thus, politically-correct readings and protests are nothing new. The NAACP's boycott of "Birth of a Nation" was not the only time in which people of color fought Hollywood racism. The film mentions the civil rights movement, the Monroe doctrine, the bracero program and other events that affected Latinos inside and out of Hollywood.

Latino actors talk about others encouraging them to change their names or dye their hair: issues that Latino non-actors face too. Further, the actors complain of Latino character roles going to white actors when perfectly good Latino actors are available. Thus, the controversy over the first film about Frida Kahlo is nothing new. Additionally, Latino actors talk about the crummy jobs they had to take to first break into film: matters that all actors face.

The documentary is not perfect. The chronology falls about at places. There are two sections on the 1960s for no reason. There is a discussion about gang films from the 1980s and 90s before they even discuss Latino films from the 1970s. In order to get Latino actors to talk about their experiences, they have to avoid being critical of their work. For example, Ricardo Montalban defends the Latin lover type even though many would have problems with it. Elizabeth Pena is feature frequently, even though she has played highly degrading depictions of Latinas. Moreover, it must be noted that A-list actors are missing from this work (Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Benicio del Toro). One wonders if they can't expose and critique the Hollywood that has made them so rich and famous.

The sections of this documentary are written in grainy chalk writing for some reason. Additionally, this DVD had no Spanish subtitles or dubbing. In the US, the majority of Latinos are still foreign-born and many have difficulties speaking and reading English. I understand that documentaries don't have big budgets to include cool extra features. Nevertheless, the lack of a Spanish translation of this work will leave many viewers who would love this piece out of the loop. It's a true shame.

Despite my critiques, this was the best thing I have ever rented in a while. I think this film says so much about Latinos in general, not just in Hollywood. I applaud everyone who was a part in its production. This will be worth everyone's time. It's an eye opener and nourishment for the brain.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, we have our due!, June 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood (DVD)

Though we still have a long way to go in Hollywood (they just keep seeing us as the "help" and not educated professionals). This documentary shows how we came a long way to finally get the respect we deserve. Latinos are always overlooked, the general public, Hollywood and the ads/marketing business seem to believe that Latinos have just appeared with "the latin explosion" a few years back with J. Lopez, R. Martin, Marc Anthony in music. But this DVD justifies that we have been here for a very long time not only in film but, to be exact over 500 years in human life. This is excellent documentary how we brought an unique "flavor"(whether it was bad or good) to a median called the movies. Excellent job!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional documentary!, April 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood (DVD)

This is an exceptional documentary! Beautifully crafted and done with a loving and intelligent spirit. It is far from being a nostalgic celebration of old films. It aspires to more and ultimately succeeds in being a thoughtful and thorough analysis of the Latino legacy in motion pictures. The film is accessible to all audiences and is witty, funny and completely engaging. This would be an excellent purchase for all film lovers.