Rizal Sa Dapitan Movie Analysis

de Castro, Paula G.
2012-040835
2SCL
Rizal sa Dapitan: Movie Review

Tikoy Aguiluz’s Rizal sa Dapitan exhibits the life experiences of the Philippine National hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, during his exile. But not all events in the said film was well-known to the Filipino masses. One of which is that Rizal, together with Captain Ricardo Carnicero and Francisco Equilor, won a lottery in Manila. A part from the prize was given to Rizal, which he gave to his father and used to acquire land. Jose personally tilled the land and planted trees such as cacao, coffee, lanzones, and mango. This land also served as the school grounds for his newly found students. Even though Fr. Obach, a Jesuit parish priest in Dapitan, bluntly mocked Rizal through…show more content…
Fr. Obach even threatened everyone that if they let their children enrol in Rizal’s school, God will be angry with them and they will be excommunicated. Rizal was also considered as a community developer in Dapitan. It can be seen in the film that Rizal made a huge effort to make Dapitan a better province, which what he wants to do with the whole Philippines. Another unpopular event that was a part of the film is that Josephine Bracken was a spy sent by the Spanish government, in order to divulge Jose Rizal’s secret plans and to convince him to surrender to the Spanish friars. As contradictory to the film, it is in Dapitan where Bracken and Rizal first met, not in Hong Kong (De Araneta n.d.). Eventually, the two grew love and affection for each other, even though a lot ridiculed their relationship. This made it again possible for Fr. Obach to insult them in his sermons. Although Rizal’s sisters, especially Maria, were not in favour of Josephine Bracken, they still continued their relationship, blind to what other people says, until she got pregnant. But when Jose learned from his sister that Josephine was a spy, they…show more content…
Albert Martinez portrayed well Jose Rizal’s different personalities – an obedient and loving son and sibling, an affectionate lover to Josephine Bracken, a good friend to Carnicero and others, and a true Filipino patriot. Amanda Page played the role of Josephine Bracken, though not perfectly, but well. Page lacks the sincerity in delivering her lines. Rustica Carpio, as Teodora Alonzo, was not able to give justice to her important role. She seems to weak and she was not able to deliver her lines with passion as Alonzo is, though she really looks like her. Furthermore, the costumes were intricately made, especially Bracken’s outfit when she and Rizal first met. The props, as well, were well-researched of and these little details made the film more relatable and well-presented to the modern audience. The music and sound effects that were used also helped the film to be realistic. The setting was indeed well chosen. It has really captivated the viewer’s eves, because of the abundance of nature, and the calmness and tranquillity of the place, which gave the idea that Rizal, even a prisoner, has his life in Dapitan. On the other hand, the script was well-written, but it would have been better if there would be subtitles for their conversations using the Spanish language. In summation, the film was not perfect, which gives it more room for improvement. It did not reach the expectations of more sophisticated audiences. It is