Viva Villa!

VIVA VILLA! (MGM, 1934) is a rousing, well made biopic about the legendary bandit/patriot Pancho Villa, who led the war for Mexican Independence in the 1910s. Although it takes some liberties with the historical record, the film nonetheless perfectly captures the spirit that fuels any political revolution, and that is the all consuming desire to break free from oppression. At its heart, VIVA VILLA! is a passionate and spectacular tribute to one of Mexico's most heroic figures.As Villa, Wallace Beery gives what is arguably his finest performance, coloring the character with humor that offsets a boorish edge and helps in generating audience sympathy, something for which the actor was singularly good at. Beery easily dominates the film, but the supporting cast is in fine form as well. Leo Carrillo makes an ideal second in command, while Henry B. Walthall, as the gentle revolutionary statesman Francisco Madero, stands in stark contrast to Beery's crude, but ultimately child-like Pancho. The gorgeous Fay Wray plays a Spanish aristocrat who goes from admiring Villa to almost killing him, and Stuart Erwin does a fine job as an American newspaper reporter who befriends Villa while accompanying him on his exploits. Also memorable is Joseph Schildkraut as the villainous General Pascal, who instigates a coup to relinquish Madero's regime.Shot in Mexico, VIVA VILLA! was one of producer David O. Selznick's most successful films during his brief period at MGM before he went independent. Directing the excellent Ben Hecht screenplay was Jack Conway, who kept it all moving at a sweeping pace with superb handling of the epic-scale action sequences. The entire film has a realistic look to it, vividly enhanced by James Wong Howe's crisp black and white cinematography. Herbert Stothart's colorful and often poignant music score also adds an authentic touch, particularly in its rendition of the famous "La Cucaracha" tune.Warner Archive's DVD-R of VIVA VILLA! was transferred from a pristine 35mm print, so this classic looks better than it has in years. Audio, as well, is clear as a bell. The film came out in 1934, the year the Production Code was enforced, and this necessitated several cuts upon its release which are all restored on this disc. Most notable among these scenes is the one of Wallace Beery whipping Fay Wray after she shoots him. Now fully intact, the sequence plays out much better in its surprisingly sadistic tone. The original theatrical trailer is included as a welcome bonus.Highly recommended.

A good description of what revolutions are like. heroes sometimes have blood on their hands. Compared to contemporary revolutionaries: Stalins' murder of l11 million Russian . people especially starvation of Ukraine,,the millions of innocents in mass genocide and war by hitler and National Socialism, Japans' rape of China in WW 2,I don't mention religious wars, England (Protestant vs Catholic, Ireland (same as England), Crusaders vs Mulims,Modern wars in the middle east(religious or economic ?0, India vs Pakistan (Muslim?Hindu), My list could go on forall ages of history. and people of many races, religions and political systems. Pancho Villa was a man of his place and time, his cause was just. Thee film portrays him warts and all., I don't expect to see it on tv! !um/hindusMslims)

AT LAST! Viva Villa on DVD domestically. I thought I'd never see it. This is one of the most entertaining biopics of the 1930's and in this case the term "Biopic" is used rather loosely as this film only has partial authenticity, however it's a hell of a ride! As Pancho Villa, Wallace Beery is alternately cunning, ferocious and childlike. For him there's only black and white, there's no middle ground. Yet in fighting for his beloved Mexico his tactics are all over the map which eventually contribute to his tragic downfall. Wallace Beery was one of the most unlikely of superstars of that (or any ) era. Yes, SUPERSTAR! He wasn't handsome, he was bulky and he honed his craft playing mostly villains during the silent era. One of his main assets was his wonderful expressiveness which he used to the Nth degree and on anybody else would have been gross caricature, but with Beery and only Beery, it worked beautifully. There was nobody then, (or now) who possess this remarkable ability and I have to think it was his silent film work that honed his unique asset.Beery thoroughly dominates this film and I think it ranks among his best performances, even better than his Academy Award winning performance in "The Champ". Also along for the ride in this best picture nominee from 1934 is Fay Wray ( Remember? King Kong's girlfriend, only here her hair is black as befits a "Spanish Seniorita"). And also Leo Carrillo playing Pancho's sidekick is a characterization he would revive in the 1950's playing Duncan Renaldo's sidekick "Pancho" in the T.V. series "The Cisco Kid."As for the DVD-R, it looks and sounds fine, particularly for a film of this age and should satisfy most of the critics of previous copies.

An excellent DVD. It is B & W with no special effects, but the dialogue and storyline more than make up for that. Talk about your characters and development all you want, with Beery and Carrillo you almost feel like you grew up with them. While the storyline isn't "historically correct" it is closer than other movies and a lot of books I have read. Berry's performance shows both the goodhearted side of Villa and the much darker side fueled by outright hate. It is a very entertaining DVD.

Wallace Beery have become a forgotten star. Viva Villa shows why he as consider a top biller in this time. A fun watch.

A wonderful fictionalization of the life of Pancho Villa. Wallace Beery leads a great cast, all at the top of their games.

an old time classic.in my opinion the greatest of movies from that period.Berry really captured it.it has my recommendation to all who are interested in that period of history,or just want to be entertained.

The movie was edited and some important parts were cut from it. I would not play on a DVD player. We had to view it on a computer dvd player.

A film with a troubled production history it didn't quite do it for me in spite of all the talents involved. The disc itself had a flaw in it and there was a noticeable jump at on each point. I returned it for a refund. All went smoothly.

very good

La calidad de imagen de este clásico es aceptable, pero definitivamente no es lo mejor. A quienes nos gusta ver las películas en su idioma original, los subtítulos están mal sincronizados, lo que hace muy difícil seguirla.

good-ok

Como coleccionista de películas oscarizadas por la Academia de Hollywood desde 1928 hasta 2012, debía de tenerla para completar la colección.