And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself

Movie spotlight

And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself

2003
Movie
112 min
English

In 1914, the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa invites studios to shoot his actual battles against Porfírio Diaz army to raise funds for financing guns and ammunition. The Mutual Film Corporation, through producer D.W. Griffith, interests for the proposition and sends the filmmaker Frank Thayer to negotiate a contract with Pancho Villa himself.

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users78%
Director: Bruce BeresfordGenres: Biography, Drama, History, War

Plot Summary

In 1914 Mexico, a charismatic American actor, Teddy (Eion Bailey), is hired to portray Pancho Villa (Antonio Banderas) in a propaganda film, but finds himself caught between the revolutionary leader and Hollywood producers. As Villa's real-life revolution unfolds around the film crew, Teddy must navigate the dangerous political landscape and his own moral compass. The film explores the blurring lines between performance and reality, and the complex nature of heroism and exploitation.

Critical Reception

The film was generally well-received by critics for its performances, direction, and historical subject matter, though some found its narrative occasionally uneven. It was noted for its engaging portrayal of a turbulent historical period and the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Antonio Banderas's captivating performance as Pancho Villa.

  • Appreciated for its atmospheric depiction of Mexico during the revolution.

  • Some critics noted a meandering plot and underdeveloped secondary characters.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's historical setting and the central performances, with many finding it an engaging and thought-provoking drama about the intersection of cinema and revolution. Some viewers wished for a more tightly focused narrative.

Fun Fact

Antonio Banderas, who portrayed Pancho Villa, also served as an executive producer for the film.

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