Rodolfo De Anda Movies
In this Spanish language mystery, a man dies in a terrible car crash. Though officially listed as an accident, the man's son believes it was murder and so launches his own investigation. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
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An explorer in the New World braves the wrath of man and the fury of nature to transcend time and become legend in an epic adventure detailing the remarkable achievements of Eusebio Francisco Kino, better known to history scholars as Padre Kino. Despite the many obstacles in his way, Padre Kino's passion for exploration drove him to accomplish what few dared to even attempt in the New World. With Native Americans, Spanish soldiers, the Catholic Church, and even nature itself challenging him, Padre Kino's remarkable endurance and unbreakable will would eventually earn him a place in the history books and inspire future generations of explorers to take their fate into their own hands no matter what the cost. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Academy award-winner Tim Robbins makes his feature film debut in this 1984 thriller concerning a group of seven American college students held ransom by a rogue band of Central America guerillas. Ignoring the advice of their captain while taking a cruise around Central America, Beverly Hills rich girl Amy and her clueless friends unwisely venture off of the beaten path and deep into the vast jungle. Subsequently abducted by guerilla fighters and sentenced to death, the girls await their grim fate as Captain Sarge prepares to stage a daring rescue mission. Against all odds, Captain Sarge does manage to rescue Amy, though as the lucky survivor makes her way back to California she can't help thinking about the rest of her friends. When her efforts in convincing her wealthy father to fund a rescue mission fails, Amy rounds up a group of fearless neighborhood kids and implores Captain Sarge to lead them straight into the lion's den. With time quickly running out for the frightened hostages, seven American students and one hardened soldier of fortune rescue their friends and save the day. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Arturo Martínez's 1961 Spanish-language western Alias el Alacrán - also known as El Muchacho de Durango 2 - follows the adventures the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid, who treks off to Mexico to avoid detection while the notoriety surrounding his latest killings subsides. He slips into an assumed identity - that of a ranchhand named El Venado - and finds a regular job on a Mexican ranch. The establishment's ailing proprietor is engaged to be married to Rosa, a lovely girl in grave danger from a vile bandit and murderer called El Alacrán. Billy pretends to be the woman's fiancée himself and vows to protect her. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
A rebellious young man sets out to find himself in this melodrama by Roberto Rodríguez (of the brothers Rodríguez, well-established in Mexican cinema). The setting is Acapulco and the young man is one of the divers who throw themselves off the incredibly high cliffs known as the Quebrada, for recompense from tourists. That calling is dangerous enough but the unhappy home life of the diver sends him away, looking for his niche in the world. Just because of his dysfunctional family he is not so good at engendering relationships himself and when he does meet someone interesting he hurts the woman's feelings -- which does not bode well for finding the love he needs. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rodolfo De Anda, Patricia Conde, (more)
- 1962
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When a vicious band of outlaws set out across the countryside on a horrific mission of murder and robbery, the only hope for the terrified peasants is a prodigal son who has recently returned to his hometown after a stint in the big city. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Hampered by a low budget, this otherwise well-acted and excellently directed drama (Gilberto Gazcon is at the helm) takes an understanding look at a group of people living on the fringe of Mexico City in their own squatters' community. They are street entertainers who go out during the day and perform at many of the touristy spots, their glamorous backdrops belying the way they really live. Their group leader, of sorts, is young Beto (Joaquin Cordero) who huffs and bluffs his way along until one day an older man, Don Tencho (José Elias Moreno) shows up and joins the community. Although he does not let on, he is really Beto's grandfather. Don Tencho subtly begins to instill the performers and the pickpockets among them, with bits and pieces of dignity and integrity. The results are not really surprising, but they are engaging and include a few twists and turns of fate. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joaquin Cordero, José Moreno, (more)
The romantic western Duelo en el Desierto stars south-of-the-border screen goddess Fanny Cano as Laura, a woman who falls for and marries a reformed gunslinger called Billy. In so doing, she alienates all of her kith and kin, particularly her bellicose brother, David. Distrusting Billy, and believing he should be sent away for good, David picks a fight with him and then frames him for injuries suffered during the scuffle. When Billy is unjustly incarcerated, Laura and a local priest scramble to prove his innocence while David hatches a scheme to put the bandit out of service for good. Mexican helmer Arturo Martinez directs. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this Spanish-spoken story, a domineering general/dad intervenes between his daughter and her young lover. The lover kills the dad and then flees the father's sons who are out for revenge. The girl is whisked away to a convent where she's later discovered by her suitor who she still loves. ~ All Movie Guide
The long-buried sins of a foster father return to haunt a younger generation in Mexican director Arturo Martinez, Sr.'s 1965 Spanish-language western Un Hombre Peligroso. Rodolfo de Anda stars as the gunfighter El Zurdo, nicknamed 'Lefty.' During his younger days, El Zurdo was forced to murder a gambler in self-defense. He subsequently adopted the gambler's orphaned son, Mario, but consciously avoided informing the child of the circumstances. Years later, as Mario comes of age, he discovers the truth, craves vengeance for his father's death, and decides to square off in a duel against El Zurdo. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rodolfo De Anda
Raul de Anda, Jr.'s Spanish-language, Mexican-produced western Terra de Violencia observes the cataclysm that erupts when a railroad is constructed and run through the heart of a small town. This infuriates the local bluebloods, who firmly believe that the track will stand in the way of their economic interests. In retaliation, they enlist a group of bellicose, violence-happy gunmen to prevent the construction crew from continuing its work - little foreseeing the tragedy, death and horror that will result. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
A man is torn between love and loyalty in this period-drama from Mexico. Benito is a man who has had enough of the injustice of the economic inequality of his homeland, and joins a band of insurgents who are battling the Federales. To fight for what he believes, Benito must leave the woman he has pledged to marry, but he begs her to wait for him, and one day he does return, ready to take her hand in wedlock. However, only moments after the wedding ceremony, Benito learns grim news -- Federales have ambushed his comrades and killed nearly all of them. Will Benito leave his bride on his wedding day to seek justice against the men who killed his friends? ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
