historical drama
A historical drama (also period drama, period piece or just period) is a dramatic work set in the past, usually used in the context of film and television, which presents history, historical events and characters with varying degrees of fiction s ...
film directed by
Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Marilou Correa Diaz-Abaya (née Diaz; March 30, 1955 – October 8, 2012) was a Filipina multi-award winning film director. She was posthumously conferred the Order of National Artists of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, sh ...
and starring
Cesar Montano
Cesar Demontaño Manhilot (born August 1, 1962), known professionally as Cesar Montano (), is a Filipino actor, film producer, film director and aspiring politician.
Montano started in show business as a commercial model.José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
, who was imprisoned under the Spanish colonization and tells Rizal's story until the final day of his execution.
At the time of its release, the film was an official entry to the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival, swept most of the nominations with seventeen awards, making it the first film with the most MMFF award wins.
Plot
In 1896, José Rizal is imprisoned in
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago (; ), built in 1571, is a citadel or castle built by Spanish navigator and governor Miguel López de Legazpi for the newly established city of Manila in the Philippines. The defense fortress is located in Intramuros, the walled ci ...
due to his dissident activities. Meanwhile, in a small field in Balintawak,
Andrés Bonifacio
Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (, ; November 30, 1863May 10, 1897) was a Filipino people, Filipino revolutionary leader. He is often called "The Father of the Philippines, Philippine Philippine Revolution, Revolution", and considered a nationa ...
and his fellow secret organization, the
Katipunan
The Katipunan (), officially known as the (; ) and abbreviated as the KKK, was a revolutionary organization founded in 1892 by a group of Filipino nationalists Deodato Arellano, Andrés Bonifacio, Valentin Diaz, Ladislao Diwa, José Dizon, an ...
, commence the uprising against the tyranny created by the Spaniards by tearing theircédulas as a sign of freedom from Spanish slavery.
A first lieutenant of the Artillery, Luis Taviel de Andrade, visits Rizal. Taviel de Andrade does not waste time to study carefully Rizal's case. In just a short period, Rizal and Taviel capture each other's sympathy and eventually become friends during their usual meetings in Rizal's cell. Taviel celebrates Christmas with Rizal in the cell where they drink and sing together. Governor General Ramón Blanco also sympathizes with Rizal's cause but is later secretly ousted by corrupt Spanish officials and Manila's
archbishop
In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
Camilo de Polavieja Camilo is both a given name and a surname. Notable people with the name include:
Given name
* Camilo (footballer, born 9 March 1986), Fernando Camilo Farias, Brazilian football midfielder
* Camilo (footballer, born 22 March 1986), Camilo de Sousa V ...
.
Flashbacks of Rizal's life are shown, from his childhood to his education, until his professional life as a doctor. He soon begins writing his two novels '' Noli Me Tángere'' and '' El filibusterismo'', which are then published. In addition, key scenes from the two novels are also shown. Returning to the Philippines after a dispute with other Filipino reformists in Madrid, he establishes
La Liga Filipina
La Liga Filipina () was a secret society. It was founded by José Rizal in the house of Doroteo Ongjunco at Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila on July 3, 1892.In 1892, prior to its birth, Rizal alighted at the Old Malolos station to campaign in the ...
in 1892 and meets Bonifacio, who distinguishes himself as an enthusiastic admirer. Shortly afterwards, he is exiled to
Dapitan
Dapitan, officially the City of Dapitan (; Subanon: ''Gembagel G'benwa Dapitan/Bagbenwa Dapitan''; ), is a component city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,202 people. ...
and spends the next four years working as a doctor, during which he also falls in love with Josephine Bracken, who later gives birth to their stillborn child.
After Christmas of 1896, Rizal is sent to the
Real Audiencia
A ''Real Audiencia'' (), or simply an ''Audiencia'' (), was an appellate court in Spain and its empire. The name of the institution literally translates as Royal Audience. The additional designation ''chancillería'' (or ''cancillería'', Catala ...
, the colonial court of appeal, to hear the trial against him. Despite a passionate defense by Taviel de Andrade, the magistrates decide to condemn him to the firing squad on the morning of December 30 in Luneta. Taviel de Andrade expresses his outrage and shame in front of Rizal, who passively accepts the decision. He is later visited by his family.
On the night before the execution, Rizal has a vision in which he encounters his
alter ego
An alter ego (Latin for "other I") means an alternate Self (psychology), self, which is believed to be distinct from a person's normal or true original Personality psychology, personality. Finding one's alter ego will require finding one's other ...
—
protagonist
A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a ...
, "Simoun" (the former Crisostomo Ibarra), from ''El Filibusterismo'', tempting him to change the climax of the novel after Simoun criticizes him as weak. Instead, Rizal writes his last poem " Mi último adiós".
On the morning of his execution, his kin receives a small alcohol stove from his cell containing "Mi último adiós". Stopping at the place of execution facing the rising sun, Rizal requests the authorities for him to face the firing squad, but the request is denied. Calm and without haste, he requests to have his head spared instead and the captain agrees. At the moment the firing squad aims at his back, he utters his final words: ''Consummatum est'' ("It is done"). After Rizal collapses from the gunfire, the commanding officer gives him a mercy shot, killing him. The Spaniards in the crowd celebrate, while the Filipinos mourn.
Following Rizal's execution, the Katipunan continues its uprising, with Bonifacio leading an ambush and the revolutionaries killing
friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders in the Catholic Church. There are also friars outside of the Catholic Church, such as within the Anglican Communion. The term, first used in the 12th or 13th century, distinguishes the mendi ...
s in an act of vengeance. As Bonifacio and his top generals plan new offensives, the camera pans to Rizal's picture at the wall of his headquarters before revealing Rizal's hat which sat by the shores of
Manila Bay
Manila Bay (; ) is a natural harbor that serves the Port of Manila (on Luzon), in the Philippines. Strategically located around the Manila, capital city of the Philippines, Manila Bay facilitated commerce and trade between the Philippines and ...
, concluding with an epilogue about the revolution and the proclamation of independence in 1898.
Cast
Main cast
*
Cesar Montano
Cesar Demontaño Manhilot (born August 1, 1962), known professionally as Cesar Montano (), is a Filipino actor, film producer, film director and aspiring politician.
Montano started in show business as a commercial model.José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
Leonor Rivera
Leonor Rivera-Kipping (née Rivera y Bauzon; 11 April 1867 – 28 August 1893)Martinez-Clemente, Jo (June 20, 2011Keeping up with legacy of Rizal’s ‘true love’''Inquirer Central Luzon'' at inquirer.net. Accessed 2011-12-03. was the childho ...
Ping Medina
Crispin "Ping" Chupungco Medina Jr. (born July 23, 1983) is a Filipino people, Filipino film actor. Medina is a contract artist of Star Magic.
Career
Medina is a prominent independent film, independent film actor in the Philippines. He debuted ...
as young Paciano
*
Gina Alajar
Regina Liguid Alatiit (born June 28, 1959), professionally known as Gina Alajar (), is a Filipino film and television actress and director. One of the most awarded actresses in Philippine cinema, she has won the Philippine movie grand slam, r ...
as Saturnina Rizal
*Tanya Gomez as Narcisa Rizal
*Tess Dumpit as María Rizal
* Irma Adlawan as Lucía Rizal
*Angie Castrence as Josefa Rizal
*Rowena Basco as Trinidad Rizal
*Kaye Marie June Congmon as Soledad Rizal
Ryan Eigenmann
Ryan Richard Alatiit Eigenmann (; born July 22, 1978) is a Filipino actor.
Early life
Ryan Richard Alatiit-Eigenmann is one of the third generation of the Mesa-Gil clan of actors. His grandparents are musician Eddie Mesa and actress Rosem ...
as Fernando (Spanish classmate at UST)
* Jaime Fábregas as Luís Taviel de Andrade
The Dominicans
*
Peque Gallaga
Maurice Gallaga (August 25, 1943 – May 7, 2020), better known as Peque Gallaga, was a multi-awarded Filipino film-maker. His most significant achievement in film was , which he directed after winning a scriptwriting contest sponsored by the ...
as Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda, O.P.
*Tony Carreón as a
Dominican friar
The Order of Preachers (, abbreviated OP), commonly known as the Dominican Order, is a Catholic mendicant order of pontifical right that was founded in France by a Castilian priest named Dominic de Guzmán. It was approved by Pope Honorius ...
(
Gomburza
Gomburza, alternatively stylized as GOMBURZA or GomBurZa ("Gom" for Gómes, "Bur" for Burgos, and "Za" for Zamora), refers to three Filipino Catholic priests, Mariano Gómes, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, who were executed by a garrot ...
execution)
*Fritz Infante as a
Dominican friar
The Order of Preachers (, abbreviated OP), commonly known as the Dominican Order, is a Catholic mendicant order of pontifical right that was founded in France by a Castilian priest named Dominic de Guzmán. It was approved by Pope Honorius ...
*Chiqui Xerxes-Burgos as Father José Villaclara, S.J.
*Shelby Payne as Father Estanislao March, S.J.
*Minco Fábregas as Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, S.J.
Other friars
*Ogie Juliano as Padre Rodríguez
*Jon Achával as Friar 1
*Cloyd Robinson as Friar 2
*Marco Zabaleta as Friar 3
Andrés Bonifacio
Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (, ; November 30, 1863May 10, 1897) was a Filipino people, Filipino revolutionary leader. He is often called "The Father of the Philippines, Philippine Philippine Revolution, Revolution", and considered a nationa ...
Joel Lamangan
Joel Lamangan (born September 21, 1952) is a Filipino film director, television director, actor, and comedian. His award-winning films include '' The Flor Contemplacion Story'', '' Sidhi'', '' Deathrow'', ''Hubog'', '' Aishte Imasu 1941'', ''Bl ...
as a
gobernadorcillo
The (, literally "little governor") was a municipal judge or governor in the Captaincy General of the Philippines, Philippines during the History of the Philippines (1565–1898), Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined ...
*Nanding Josef as Antonio Rivera
*Pocholo Montes as Justiniano Aquino Cruz
*Bhey Vito as Don Dorotéo Onjungco
* Kidlat Tahimik as a guest (
La Liga Filipina
La Liga Filipina () was a secret society. It was founded by José Rizal in the house of Doroteo Ongjunco at Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila on July 3, 1892.In 1892, prior to its birth, Rizal alighted at the Old Malolos station to campaign in the ...
meeting)
*Toto Natividad as a
Katipunan
The Katipunan (), officially known as the (; ) and abbreviated as the KKK, was a revolutionary organization founded in 1892 by a group of Filipino nationalists Deodato Arellano, Andrés Bonifacio, Valentin Diaz, Ladislao Diwa, José Dizon, an ...
Marcelo H. del Pilar
Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitán (; ; August 30, 1850July 4, 1896), commonly known as Marcelo H. del Pilar and also known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' Pláridel,.''Filipinos in History: Volume II'', National Historical Commission o ...
Mariano Ponce
Mariano Ponce y Collantes (; March 22, 1863 – May 23, 1918) commonly known as just Mariano Ponce was a Filipino physician, writer, statesman, and active member of the Propaganda Movement. In Spain, he was among the founders of ''La Solidarid ...
Joel Torre
José Rizalino "Joel" de León Torre (born June 19, 1961) is a Filipino actor and producer who is best known for his numerous films such as the biographical film ''José Rizal'' (1998), crime thriller film '' On the Job'' (2013) and the histor ...
María Clara
María Clara de Tolitol is a fictional character in Jose Rizal's novel '' Noli Me Tángere'' (1887). The beautiful María Clara is the childhood sweetheart and fiancée of the protagonist, Crisóstomo Ibarra, who returns to his Filipino home ...
* Nonie Buencamino as Elías
*Roeder Camañag as Basílio
*Richard Quan as Isagani
*Cristóbal Gómez as Padre Damaso
Other characters
*Jesús Díaz as
ophthalmology
Ophthalmology (, ) is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of eye diseases and disorders.
An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Following a ...
professor in Spain
*Karl Meyer as a Belgian printer
*LJ Moreno as Josephine Bracken's companion
Production
Background
In 1994, there were efforts to produce a
Hollywood
Hollywood usually refers to:
* Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California
* Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States
Hollywood may also refer to:
Places United States
* Hollywood District (disambiguation)
* Hollywood ...
feature film based on the life of
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
Fidel V. Ramos
Fidel Valdez Ramos (; March 18, 1928 – July 31, 2022), popularly known as FVR, was a Filipino general and politician who served as the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. He was the only career military officer to reached ...
. Actors who were reportedly considered for the project included Andy Garcia as Rizal,
Winona Ryder
Winona Laura Horowitz (born ), known professionally as Winona Ryder, is an American actress. Having come to attention playing quirky characters in the late 1980s, she achieved success with her more dramatic performances in the 1990s. Ryder's L ...
Sharon Cuneta
Sharon Gamboa Cuneta-Pangilinan (born January 6, 1966) is a Filipino actress, singer, and television personality. Prolific in multiple fields of entertainment, she is known for playing dramatic and comedic leading roles in film and television. ...
as
Leonor Rivera
Leonor Rivera-Kipping (née Rivera y Bauzon; 11 April 1867 – 28 August 1893)Martinez-Clemente, Jo (June 20, 2011Keeping up with legacy of Rizal’s ‘true love’''Inquirer Central Luzon'' at inquirer.net. Accessed 2011-12-03. was the childho ...
, with
Jonathan Demme
Robert Jonathan Demme ( ; February 22, 1944 – April 26, 2017) was an American filmmaker, whose career directing, producing, and screenwriting spanned more than 30 years and 70 feature films, documentaries, and television productions. He was an ...
as director, though the project did not come to fruition.
It was the most expensive film in the history of Filipino cinema with a budget of over .
Release
During the film's release in 1998, the Probe Team, hosted by Che Che Lazaro, produced a special behind-the-scenes documentary titled ''José Rizal: The Making of a Masterpiece''. The documentary highlighted various aspects of the film’s creation, its historical background, and included interviews with the director, cast, producers, members of the production and design team, and other key figures involved in the film.
In 1999, GMA Network released an accompanying publication titled ''Ang Screenplay ng José Rizal'', which featured the original screenplay of the film written by Ricky Lee, Jun Lana, and Peter Ong Lim, along with interviews from the cast, directing crew, and production team.
The film was subsequently released in DVD-format and VCD format by GMA Records Home Video and distributed by Viva Video in 2006.
In 2024, GMA Network digitally restored and remastered the film, in partnership with Central Digital Lab. It was shown to audiences during the 2024
Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, more commonly known as Cinemalaya, is a film festival
A film festival is an organized, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theater, cinemas or screening venues, usually ann ...
. The restored version of the movie was released for
Netflix
Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
on December 30, 2024 to mark
Rizal Day
Rizal Day (, ; ) is a Philippine national holiday commemorating life and works of José Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines. It is celebrated every December 30, the anniversary of Rizal's 1896 execution at Bagumbayan (present-day Rizal ...
.
Accolades
*
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...
Metro Manila Film Festival
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority and held nationwide in the Philippines. The festival, which runs from Christmas Day through New Year's Day and into first weeke ...
Cesar Montano
Cesar Demontaño Manhilot (born August 1, 1962), known professionally as Cesar Montano (), is a Filipino actor, film producer, film director and aspiring politician.
Montano started in show business as a commercial model.Best Director (
Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Marilou Correa Diaz-Abaya (née Diaz; March 30, 1955 – October 8, 2012) was a Filipina multi-award winning film director. She was posthumously conferred the Order of National Artists of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, sh ...
Jaime Fabregas
Jaime Francisco García Fábregas (; born February 28, 1950) is a Filipino actor and musical scorer.
Early life
Jaime Francisco García Fábregas was born in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines to his parents Pedro Fábregas and Isabel Gar ...
Ricky Lee
Ricardo Arreola Lee ONA (born March 19, 1948) is a Filipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright. Starting in 1973, he has written more than 180 film screenplays and collaborated with many of the Philippines' most notable film di ...
Best Original Story
The Academy Award for Best Story was an Academy Award given from the beginning of the Academy Awards until 1956. This award can be a source of confusion for modern audiences, given its co-existence with the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenpl ...
(
Ricky Lee
Ricardo Arreola Lee ONA (born March 19, 1948) is a Filipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright. Starting in 1973, he has written more than 180 film screenplays and collaborated with many of the Philippines' most notable film di ...
, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
** Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
** Best Editing (Jess Navarro and Manet Dayrit)
** Best Sound Production (Mike Idioma)
** Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
** Best Special Effects (Mark Ambat of Optima Digital)
** Best Makeup (Denni Yrastorza Tan)
** Best Musical Score (Nonong Buencamino)
** Best Movie Theme Song (Nonong Buencamino for "Awit ni Maria Clara")
** Best Festival Float
** Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Awards
*1999 FAMAS Awards
**Best Picture
**Best Actor (Cesar Montano)
**Best Director (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
**Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas)
**Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
**Best Editing (Jess Navarro and Manet A. Dayrit)
**Best Movie Theme Song (Nonong Buencamino for "Awit ni Maria Clara")
**Best Musical Direction (Nonong Buencamino)
**Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
**Best Screenplay (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana, and Peter Ong Lim)
**Best Special Effects (Rolando Santo Domingo)
*1999 Gawad Urian Awards
**Best Direction (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
**Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
**Best Music (Nonong Buencamino)
**Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
**Best Sound (Albert Michael Idioma)
**Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas)
*1999 Star Awards for Movies
**Movie of the Year
**Actor of the Year (Cesar Montano)
**Director of the Year (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
**Supporting Actor of the Year (Jaime Fabregas)
**Adapted Screenplay of the Year (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana, and Peter Ong Lim)
**Editor of the Year (Jess Navarro and Manet A. Dayrit)
**Musical Scorer of the Year (Nonong Buencamino)
**Production Designer of the Year (Leo Abaya)
**Sound Engineering of the Year (Albert Michael Idioma)
The film was screened and run in competition in different film festivals worldwide and included in the Official Selection for Panorama at the Berlin International Film Festival (1998). It also won 2nd runner-up in the Audience Award of the Toronto Filmfest and the
Chicago International Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964 by Michael Kutza, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. Its logo is a stark, black and white close up of the comp ...
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution ( or ; or ) was a war of independence waged by the revolutionary organization Katipunan against the Spanish Empire from 1896 to 1898. It was the culmination of the 333-year History of the Philippines (1565–1898), ...