Customer Reviews

Camila [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before watching with movie, I had the impression that it was a chick flick, but in the end, I disagree with that statement. I thought it was an extremely well done movie that deserves more credit than just some romantic "chick flick." It is a loosely based story of Camila O'Gorman, an Argentinan aristocrat who dreams of true love, a husband that she can be proud of, and a future companion with more than a respectable name and bank account. She finds this dream in a Jesuit priest, father Ladislao, whom eventually admits his love and escapes with Camila. The two become hunted fugatives, criminals of sacrilege, and outcasts of the upper class. Though Ladislao has trouble dividing his love between Camila and God, they share a powerful bond that cannot be broken; it's stronger than any government, social codes, or weapons. At times it was slow moving, and romantic, but it wasn't a "cheesy" romance. I believed what was on screen rather than laughed at it.

Camila is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. Not only is it the expressive and artistic representation of forbidden love during a time of great political turmoil, but it is also very representative of Argentine culture and politics.

Through the punishment of Camila and Ladislao ordered by Rosas and carried out by "los federales," the audience sees the power and force of Rosas' government. It is very obvious how Rosas controls the lives of all Argentine people and forces them to follow his rules and beliefs. The film's tragic ending presents a critique of Rosas government as an overly harsh and unnecessary force in Argentine history.

The release of this movie in the early 1980s along with other movies such as The Official Story, and Man facing Southeast, represented the new-found political and artistic freedom of Argentina. As it became a democracy in 1984, Argentina was free for the first time in its history to present new and controversial ideas about politics or about life in general that varied from conventional thought. Camila is an absolute masterpiece, combining love, history, politics, violence and tragedy in one amazing film. I give it the highest praise, and recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Latin American history or who is a true romantic at heart.

Set in 1847 in the midst of political turmoil in Argentina, this exquisite film is based on an actual event. It's the most romantic film I've ever seen, and after all these years of watching it, still moves me to tears. The cinematography is wonderful, and it's beautifully acted by all. The stars, Susu Pecoraro and Imanol Arias are fabulous, lovely to look at, and the erotic chemistry between them makes this story very believable. The scene in the belfry ! Ladislao:"What am I going to do with you ! " Camila: "Anything you want". sounds cliche, except it's between a priest and a socialite, and what happens after that will move you and amaze you. This is an unforgettable film.

This film was excellent! I guess I am saying that becaue I am a true hopeless romantic and I fall for movies that contain romance and forbidden love as well. This film represents the patriarchal system and how it interferes with people's lives. Camila is a young women and Ladislou is a priest. Their love affiar is forbidden in the eyes of the church, family and government. However, they both follow their hearts in order to stay together. In return they go against the patriarchal system and are followed. It is important to note that the director María Luisa Bemeberg has a major influence on this film. She uses her own experiences and feminine nature to produe such films as Camila, or Yo la peor de todos. She is a great director and made this film attract a lot of viewers attention. I think it is important to mention that if this film were to be told by a man, then there would be different interpretations and the story about CAmila and Ladislou may be inaccurate. Overall, I loved the film!

Set in Argentina during Rosas' dictatorship, Camila, directed by Luisa Bemberg, manages to make forbidden love seem like the ultimate sacrifice. Bemberg is a master of melodrama forcing us to focus on the romance between a beautiful Irish girl and a handsome Jesuit priest and forget that this love story is about sacrilege and indiscretion.
Based on the true story of Camila O'Gorman, the first woman in the history of Argentina to be executed. The cinematography is beautiful and the music is subtle. This movie works on so many levels. I'd hate to give away any of the incredible plot, but as a love story this has no comparison.
As a historical film we see Rosas as a ruthless dictator who got away with murder becuase the upper class looked away. Even though Camila came from the elite, and the priest was well connected, rules were not made to be broken. I'd hate to give away any of the incredible plot. Whether you're a fan of the romance genre or not, don't miss this memorable movie.

Una historia veridica llevada al cine magistralmente. Todos los actores realizan unas actuaciones tan maravillosas que en realidad uno cree estar viviendo en el 1848...

Imanol Arias (Ladislao Gutierrez) transmite tanta pasion, amor y deseos prohibidos que es comprensible el por que Camila, sacrifica todo por el. Aparte de ser un actor increiblemente guapo, se adentra tanto en su personaje , que te hace llorar, amar, rezar y sufrir con el.

Mi escena favorita es cuando Camila le confiesa su amor y le dice que se esta muriendo de amor, el le dice que eso es natural a su edad, como queriendo ignorar que es de el que ella esta hablando. Su amor ya en ese momento es mutuo y el enferma de amor. Lucha entre su amor por Dios y su amor por ella.


Definitivamente una pelicula que merece la pena ver, maravillosamente actuada, con unos efectos de luces tenues
que le dan un toque de romanticismo, una musica fabulosa ,
unos dialogos en susurros entre los enamorados llenos de
pasion, la lucha carnal entre el amor humano y el amor a Dios y
un tragico final.

Mi pelicula favorita se la recomiendo a todos...

Note: Spanish with English subtitles.

Directed by the immensely talented director Maria Luisa Bemberg the '85 film `Camila' is a tale of tragic romance set in 1847 Buenos Aires. Camila (Susu Pecoraro), daughter of a wealthy and powerful family falls hopelessly in love with Father Ladislao (Imanol Arias), a new priest just recently arrived in town. When they run away together their actions stir the already volatile political/religious turmoil engulfing the country. When their whereabouts are discovered the "Powers That Be" must decide whether or not making an example of the two lovers could be advantageous to the governmental unrest.

I found `Camila' to be rather slow at times, especially at the beginning. The acting was also a little uneven delivering a number of stiff and uninspiring performances from the supporting cast while the two stars, Susu and Imanol tend to be overly dramatic in stark juxtaposition to the rest. However the pace does pick up quite a bit towards the end of the film and the ending is touching and poignant. Definitely a "chick flick" so gentleman beware.

My Rating: -3 ˝ Stars-.

What a beautiful piece of work. I am a 24 year old man, and they say men (or kids as they are now) are not supposed to cry, but let me tell you something ladies and gentlemen, I was torn apart after watching this classic. 3 days later, I am still shaken. I love the fact that you hear actor's real voices and not their English substitutes, it gives you a much better feel; yes you'd have to read subtitles (not that bad, honestly). Camila is not a pampered blue blooded girl, though her father is the exact epitome of the demonic and cold, blood drinking elite. With these people their goals come above everything else or as they say it in their trait "End justifies the means". So he could care less about what she wants, it is all about what "they" want. With this poor priest Ladislao being a Jesuit priest, some of you would beg to ask a question, "So when does the Jesuit Order come into play?" Not to worry, they of course do. As some reviews stated above, Rosas government was hand in hand with the Catholic church, so you would probably realize where the orders were coming from. Ladislao gets caught by his fellow Jesuit priest who recognized him while at some celebration. The very sad thing is that Camila and Ladislao had a chance to escape and probably live happily ever after. The police chief who has befriended them in their new place of living and who was present during the Jesuit priest's identification of Ladislao told Camila to take horses and get out of town before dawn - as he would come and arrest them at that time. Well they stayed, as Ladislao seemed like decided to get back to Jesus and his priest life. The rest is...............well Niagara Falls time, bring your handkerchiefs in plenty. Very sad ending, no, sad would not describe it, something else, I am not in power to give the words to it, as I am not some great poet who with ease can paint a picture for your mind. In the end it also shows what soldiers/cops would do, without any remorse, without any morals, without any thought or question. With those kinds of tactics we loose as humans, time to wake up, for we've been sleeping for far too long.

Ohhh why didn't they take those horse, why??

"Camila"(1984) is the first in what I consider to be a trilogy of films dealing with political repression and its consequences in Argentina, and by extension universally. This film is based on the true life of Camila O'Gorman, a wealthy young socialite, and her priest lover Uladislao Gutiérrez in the late 1840s Buenos Aires of dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas. When María Luisa Bemberg made this film, the military dictatorship of the 1970s and early 80s, with their years of torture and extra-judicial killings, had just ended the year before; but their sinister influence was still very prevalent. I consider this film a bold slap to their faces. This is an excellent film which tells the story of individuals, history and the costs of tyranny, both to individuals and society. The other two films that, in my opinion, continue the story of the consequences of repression are "La historia oficial" (The Official Story, 1985) and "Vidas privadas"(Private Lives, 2001).

This movie is absolutely amazing! I remember seeing it many years ago, when I was a little girl, and I remember my parents watching it on TV, and there were certain scenes that I never forgot. I finally managed to find the movie and I couldn't wait to buy it. It's an interesting forbidden love story, and it's interesting to see the barriers, the social classes, and how religious fanatics, and the laws can dictate people's lives. Watch it.