Product Details

• Actors: Angel Tavira Maldonado, Gerardo Taracena, Dagoberto Gama, Don Angel Tavira, Fermin Martinez
• Directors: Francisco Vargas
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
• Language: Spanish
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Film Movement
• DVD Release Date: May 27, 2008
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0012K3K3G
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,899 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Musicals & Performing Arts > Classical > Violin

• For more information about "The Violin" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Absorbing exquisitely suspenseful. --Justin Chang, Variety

Product Description

Studio: Repnet Llc Release Date: 05/06/2008 Run time: 98 minutes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars peasant music v. the government military, May 16, 2008

By	Daniel B. Clendenin (www.journeywithjesus.net) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Don Plutarco Hidalgo is an aging and illiterate peasant farmer, but he still plays the violin with his one good hand. His son plays the guitar and his grandson collects the spare change as they play in restaurants and bars, then sleep on the streets at night. But their real passion is the guerilla movement of other peasants who are resisting the oppressive government. When the army raids, loots and torches their little village, the guerilla movement is stranded in the dense mountain jungles without their cache of weapons. Plutarco borrows a mule and returns to their village, telling the occupying soldiers that he wants to check his crops. At his age, he's able to convince the soldiers, and the commander takes a shine to Plutarco's violin playing. I won't spoil just where that violin takes this powerful film about oppression and liberation, only to say that as the film itself demonstrates, it's the stuff of multi-generational songs sung at peasant campfires. Filmed in black and white, in Spanish with English sub-titles.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Amazing Films, February 22, 2008

By	J. Tamez (Los Ranchos, NM) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Extremely compelling film about an old farmer, Plutarco, and his violin. Joined by his son and grandson, Plutarco travels the countryside playing his music to earn money. When the military takes over the village and prevents Plutarco from returning home, Plutarco strikes up a friendship with the army commander, hoping to charm his way back into the village. Plutarco must return to the village because of a secret he has hidden there.

"The Violin" has become the most awarded Mexican film in history. A must see!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving..., January 18, 2009

By	D. Kanigan (CT, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This spanish language movie is set in the mountains in the state of Guerrero, Mexico during a revolutionary period where the peasants are attempting to overthrow the army rule and control over the farmlands. Central to the plot are three generations of men - Don Plutarco, the one-hand violin playing grandfather - his son Genaro (plays guitar and a key member of revolution) and the grandson Lucio. The three of them travel from town to town playing music for pennies while the story begins to unfold. While Genaro is active in participating in revolutionary activities, it's Plutarco's music and craftiness which engage a Senior army officer for the benefit of the revolution. The story opens with some brutally violent scenes which immediately take you into its grips - and then gently rocks you back and forth between calm and reflection and tension. The movie is filmed in stunning black and white vistas. The individual characters and hardships are etched in the faces and bodies. This is a slow moving but captivating film - which moves from brutality to poverty and tenderness and back again. Like many great performances, few words are spoken in this film but much is understood. If you liked Grapes of Wrath, you'll likely enjoy this movie which has similar themes of poverty, endurance, struggle. Loved it...