Watch And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself
- TV-MA
- 2003
- 1 hr 52 min
-
6.5 (3,695)
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself is a 2003 biographical drama film that tells the story of how the Mexican revolutionary, Pancho Villa, allowed a representative of the American film industry, Harry Aitken, to film his battles and create a movie that would help the revolutionary's political cause. The film stars Antonio Banderas as Pancho Villa, Eion Bailey as Frank Thayer, Alan Arkin as Sam Drebben, and a cast of talented actors who provide a stunning portrayal of this historical episode.
The film takes place in a time where the Mexican people were being oppressed by their government and foreign powers, including the United States. Pancho Villa was a leader of the revolution and fought to overthrow the government and establish a fair and just society. Thayer, a representative of the American film industry, saw an opportunity to make a name for himself and his company, Mutual Film Corporation, by filming the battles of Villa and his army.
Despite the initial opposition of his army, Villa eventually agrees to let Thayer film his battles, using the money from the film to further his cause. The film crew follows Villa's army into battle, capturing the chaos and brutality of war on camera. The footage is eventually compiled into a feature film, "The Life of General Villa," to be played in theaters throughout the world.
While the filming is taking place, Villa also falls in love with a beautiful woman named Luz Corral, who becomes his mistress. Their relationship adds a touch of romance to the otherwise intense and violent film. However, Villa's personal and political life become intertwined, and he must navigate the dangerous waters of revolution while trying to maintain his love life.
The film is visually stunning, with sweeping shots of the Mexican landscape, elaborate battle scenes, and a colorful cast of characters. Banderas gives an excellent portrayal of Pancho Villa, capturing his charisma and passion, while Bailey and Arkin deliver remarkable performances as Thayer and Drebben, respectively. The supporting cast also shines, with excellent performances by actors such as Jim Broadbent, Kyle Chandler, and Alexa Davalos.
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself is not just a historical drama or war movie, but a film that delves deeply into the politics and ramifications of portraying revolution on film. The film explores the ethics of using war footage for entertainment, as well as the role of propaganda in shaping public opinion. The movie also raises questions about the impact of these portrayals on the people involved, as well as the history of the world.
Overall, And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that offers a unique glimpse of history through the eyes of those who lived it. The story is brought to life by an excellent cast and an expertly-crafted script, making it a must-see for fans of cinema and history alike.
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself is a 2003 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.