Ruben Rojo Movies

In El Salvador in the late '70s, the wealthy few rule the impoverished many. To maintain the status quo against peasant insurgents and labor organizations, the military regime brutalizes the populace, in particular, rebels who espouse Marxism. Assassinations, executions, and disappearances become commonplace. When the Vatican elevates conservative Oscar Arnulfo Romero (Raul Julia) to archbishop, the military rulers believe he will quiet the masses and the activist priests who support them. "Blessed are the peacemakers," he will preach. At first, that is precisely what he does. But when soldiers thwart voters, shoot indiscriminately into crowds, torture dissidents, and kill a dedicated priest and friend of Romero, the archbishop condemns the regime in radio messages, rebukes quisling bishops, and leads a peasant march into a church occupied by soldiers. He also insults and defies the El Salvadoran president (Harold Cannon), an iron-fisted general, who, ironically, has the same last name as the archbishop Romero, but is not related. The country by this time is in the throes of civil war. In 1980, when military death squads continue their reign of terror even though the government institutes so-called reforms, Romero continues to speak out, gaining international attention. The film then builds to its climax, a scene recreating the events of Monday, March 25, 1980, when Romero is saying mass for his recently deceased mother. Attendees include four men who have no intention of reciting mea culpas or receiving the Holy Eucharist. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide

Sometimes known by the title Warlock -- and not to be confused with the Julian Sands horror flick -- this Spanish/Italian co-production is actually a war film concerning the Battle of Normandy and a group of surviving soldiers who attempt to make it back to their homeland. Cheapie horror director Jose Luis Merino helms. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

During the twilight of World War II, American forces battle their German counterparts to find a noted Austrian atomic scientist who is marked for death. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

Also known as Cauldron of Blood, Blind Man's Bluff is a Spanish-made horror film long on gore but short on logic. Several beautiful models have disappeared, and the prime suspect is blind sculptor Boris Karloff, a surly and secretive sort who produces skeletal statues. Lovely model Rosanda Monteros tries to get to the bottom of the mystery, and of course nearly winds up a victim herself. The killer is not Karloff but his wife Viveca Lindfors, who hopes to sustain her husband's reputation by providing fresh skeletons for his artwork. Lindfors ends up hoisted on her own petard when she accidentally dips her arm in a vat of acid. Yeccch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Teetering between slapstick and off-the-mark humor, this thin comedy by director Tulio Demichelli stars Silvia Pinal (about to become internationally famous in Bunuel's 1961 Viridiana). Pinal plays a pampered young woman who is used to getting what she wants and does not always behave in an exemplary manner. Because she is especially beautiful, men tend to chase after her and so an active social life has never been a problem. But settling down to one true love might be. Just when the field of suitors is reduced to only one man, troubles start to brew like never before. First there are the problems with a potential father-in-law, and next, those that crop up from simple misunderstandings ... ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

The short life and quick death of Alexander the Great is recounted in this literate historical epic. Decked out in a blonde wig, Richard Burton stars as the Grecian warrior who conquered the known world while only in his twenties, then wept because there were no more worlds left to conquer. While the film's 141 minutes are occasionally bogged down by near-existential dialogue sequences (What doth it profit a man etc. etc.), the battle sequences are among the best and most accurate ever filmed. Fredric March and Danielle Darieux costar as Alexander's parents Philip of Macedonia and Olympius, Claire Bloom does what she can with the nothing role of Alexander's wife Barsine, and Michael Hordern and Harry Andrews are cast as Demosthenes and Darrius, respectively. Lensed in Spain and Italy, Alexander the Great conquered no new worlds at the box-office, perhaps because Richard Burton, brilliant though he was, hadn't yet attained "saleability". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

La Loca translates to Mad Woman, a harsh but accurate description of the heroine, played by Libertad Lamarque. Outwardly a kindly philanthropist, the woman is, in private, dangerously close to insanity. When she finally does go over the edge, all of her previous good works are forgotten by the public, and she is treated--or mistreated--like any other mental patient. La Loca is all the more powerful when one realizes that its star, Libertad Lamarque, was heretofore best known for her work in lighthearted musical comedies. Director Miguel Zacarias avoids sensationalism throughout, unfolding his tragic tale in calm, matter-of-fact fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

From Mexican director Alberto Gout comes this classic 1949 cabaretera, a style of film native to Latin American that mixes elements of many genres. The picture stars Ninon Sevilla as a beautiful young woman who unwittingly falls into a lurid life of prostitution and nightclub dancing. Before long though, she decides enough is enough and attempts to claw her way out of the seedy underbelly.Aventurera was released in the United States as The Adventuress. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide