SwapaDVD logo
 
 

Search - The Violin on DVD


The Violin
The Violin
Actors: Angel Tavira Maldonado, Gerardo Taracena, Dagoberto Gama, Don Angel Tavira, Fermin Martinez
Director: Francisco Vargas
Genres: Indie & Art House, Drama, Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts, Military & War
UR     2008     1hr 38min

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

     
?

Larger Image

Movie Details

Actors: Angel Tavira Maldonado, Gerardo Taracena, Dagoberto Gama, Don Angel Tavira, Fermin Martinez
Director: Francisco Vargas
Genres: Indie & Art House, Drama, Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts, Military & War
Sub-Genres: Indie & Art House, Drama, Music Video & Concerts, Classical, Military & War
Studio: Film Movement
Format: DVD - Color - Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 05/27/2008
Release Year: 2008
Run Time: 1hr 38min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 3
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: Spanish
Subtitles: English

Similar Movies

Viva Cuba
Director: Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti
2
   NR   2007   1hr 20min
Sin Nombre
Director: Cary Fukunaga
8
   R   2009   1hr 35min
Herencia
Director: Paula Hernandez
?
   UR   2004   1hr 34min
The Great Match
Director: Gerardo Olivares
?
   UR   2007   1hr 28min
Mother of Mine
Director: Klaus Haro
2
   UR   2007   1hr 51min

Similarly Requested DVDs

Uptown Girls
Director: Boaz Yakin
   PG-13   2004   1hr 32min
   
True Women
Director: Karen Arthur
   PG-13   2004   2hr 50min
   
The Godfather DVD Collection
The Godfather/ The Godfather - Part II/ The Godfather - Part III
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
   R   2001   9hr 5min
   
The Orphanage
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
   R   2008   1hr 45min
   
The Big Easy
Director: Jim McBride
   R   1999   1hr 42min
   
Beverly Hills Cop
Special Collector's Edition
Director: Martin Brest
   R   2002   1hr 45min
   
Baby Einstein - Language Nursery
   NR   2002   2hr 42min
   
Spider-Man vs Doc Ock
Animated Series
   NR   2004   1hr 19min
   
 

Movie Reviews

Peasant music v. the government military
Daniel B. Clendenin | www.journeywithjesus.net | 05/16/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."
One of the Most Amazing Films
J. Tamez | Los Ranchos, NM | 02/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"
Remarkable and memorable!
Rizzo | Denver, CO | 03/02/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The story is about an old grandfather, Plutarco, his son Genaro, and the grandson Lucio who smuggle weapons to rebels, an soon get caught up in a suspenseful battle for their lives, their dignity, protecting their land, their home. The opening scene depicts brutality, torture, rape and that is enough to set the tone of the movie. You don't see what is happening, you can only imagine. The scene during the first several minutes is the limit of that violence and cruelity for the entire movie.



Plutarco, an aging musician plays the violin with one hand and with his violin, he becomes entangled with the army while the rebels plot to overtake and protect their homes. Meanwhile, Plutarco makes an attempt to recover ammunition he has hidden from the army and give to the rebels. While suspicious of his violin, the army leader is interested in the playing of the violin.



Director, writer and producer of the film, Francisco Vargas has not defined a time or a place that the action takes place. In my opinion, it is anytime, and any Latin American country, or the world for that matter.



For increased intensity, it is shot in black and white and it adds to the cold impersonal mood and stark existence. Color would add warmth and the film is not about that. There are beautiful scenes in black and white; especially where the octogenarian Plutarco tells his grandson the story of how "it" all starts. During this short storytelling, the focus is on the fire smoldering or the dancing flames.



In addition to the remarkable story, the great directing, memorable scenes, comes the protagonist, Don Plutarco, a non-actor with amazing ability to carry out this important film. It is said outside the film that he did have a hand missing since childhood and he is a musician. The film garnered ant a huge number of awards. Great acting, great story, great movie. .....Rizzo

"
Excited to finally be able to purchase this film
Dana J. Haselton | Nashville, TN | 06/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this film at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival. Fabulous. Stunning black and white cinematography. Slow, but a sadly accurate story capturing the way of life of the struggle."