And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself on DVD (2003)

Nick from England , 14/12/2004

Pancho Villa is a Mexican general who makes a deal with a movie studio where he will get $25,000 in gold, in exchange for the rights to film his battles. This is quite an absurd idea, especially as it leads to certain battles being 'made to measure' for the camera, and it becomes even more absurd when you realize that this is actually a true story. Yes, that's right; And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself is actually a film about the making of another film from 1914, known as 'The Life of General Villa'. The film is a little like Shadow of the Vampire, in that it depicts the making of an old film, using today's actors to play the people involved in the making of the old film. This film was made for American TV, and to me this seems a great injustice and a commentary on what the American film industry thinks of it's audience. Like 1995's Citizen X, the only reason that I can think of as to why this wasn't given a cinema release is that it would be lost on it's potential audience.

The film features a number of familiar faces. People that you often see in films, but don't know their names. Here we have the excellent Alan Arkin, who's one of my favourite 'smaller' stars without a doubt, Jim Broadbent, Eion Bailey and Anthony Head from the rubbish 'Buffy' program also makes an appearance. The real acting plaudits, however, go to Antonio Banderas for his complete embodiment of the title character. I've heard a number of people say bad things about Antonio in this movie, but I have no idea why; here he gives what is probably the best performance of his career. In fact, he is so good that after a while you forget that you're watching an actor and it actually seems like Pancho Villa really is starring as himself. This does the movie no end of favours on the reality front as it continually switches between the movie that they're making and the reality of Pancho Villa's revolution. This movie does an excellent job of catching an authentic Mexican atmosphere, and this is made even finer by way of an excellent, subtle, score.

The battles in the film are excellently staged, and also quite violent and bloody; which is always nice to see. That came as something of a surprise to me as, with this being a TV movie, I wasn't expecting the battles to be particularly well done. The message that this film has seems to be that people can be made to believe anything. As one character professes at one point in the film, 'the lens is mightier than the sword', and through the way that the film shows the difference between what the film that the characters are making shows and what the truth is; this message comes across loud and clear.

Please don't miss this movie because it is cursed with '(TV)' after it's title; as although it isn't a masterpiece, it most definitely is well worth seeing.

  10 out of 10 people found this review helpful

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Eduardo Manzano from North London, UK , 24/10/2004

This film presents historically exactly how things happened in the revolution in my country.

Banderas was larger than life as Pancho Villa, but I felt something was lacking in his portrayal. Banderas portrayed him as egotistical, which he may well have been, however he was the only Mexican to fight the Americans in their own country and then return to Mexico, and his cleverness and bravery was sadly underplayed in this film. It is believed the Americans were so scared of him that they removed his head after he was shot.

Whether this is an accurate portrayal of Villa as a person is debateable, but it's refreshing to see a film about Mexican history with some Hollywood players in the lead roles. Watch it!

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

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Samuel Tyler from Reading, England , 07/01/2005

And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself acts as a great introduction to the history of Mexico, a place I for one knew little about. It tells the true story of a Mexican Revolutionary who aims to fund his activities by selling the rights to film his battles to a motion picture company.

After an initial failed attempt at filming conflict it is decided to add acted melodrama to the film within the film so that Pancho Villa comes across as more sympathetic.

Although the concept sounds ridiculous its actually true and the film makers do not detract from the violence of war. This could easily have been a comedy but its played as a serious look at Mexican history and the media?s role in war.

A hidden gem worth picking up for fans of films such as Hidalgo, Open Range and Young Guns. 4 out of 5.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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A customer from North Yorkshire , 02/03/2007

I wasn't sure if I would like this film but it drew me in straight away. Antiono Banderas was brilliant as Pancho in one of the best roles I have ever seen him play. Jim Broadbent can never put a foot wrong and can always raise a giggle. Eion Bailey is a newcomer I can see becoming an A lister in the not to distant future. He held this film very well and proved to be a talented actor with a lot of screen presence. I look forward to seeing how his career develops. Overall the film is very watchable and keeps you entertained. I would recommend this.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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Eduardo Manzano from North London, UK , 24/10/2004

This film presents historically exactly how things happened in the revolution in my country.

Banderas was larger than life as Pancho Villa, but I felt something was lacking in his portrayal. Banderas portrayed him as egotistical, which he may well have been, however he was the only Mexican to fight the Americans in their own country and then return to Mexico, and his cleverness and bravery was sadly underplayed in this film. It is believed the Americans were so scared of him that they removed his head after he was shot.

Whether this is an accurate portrayal of Villa as a person is debateable, but it's refreshing to see a film about Mexican history with some Hollywood players in the lead roles. Watch it!

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

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GARY TANNER from South Somerset, England , 20/10/2004

Bruce Beresford directs the most expensive 'made for TV movie' ever produced, evidently. Antonio Banderas plays Pancho Villa in a film about Hollywood making a film about Pancho Villa. It's a public relations exercise to win over the hearts and minds of American cinema-goers, at the time, whose image of Villa has been tainted by a bad press.

Is it true ? Who knows. All records are destroyed.

Does it look like HBO spent 30 million dollars on it ? No, but then I'll bet Banderas doesn't work cheap and it's he who makes this picture.

At least, by renting the DVD you can avoid all the ad breaks which will undoubtedly pepper the TV presentation when it's screened.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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