El Filibusterismo was Rizal's second novel published in
Basilio, at this point, is a graduating student of medicine at the Ateneo de Manila University Ateneo Municipal de Manila. After the death of his mother, Sisa, and the disappearance of his younger brother, Crispín, Basilio heeded the advice of the dying boatman, Elías, and traveled to Manila to study. Basilio was adopted by Captain Tiago after María Clara entered the convent. With Captain Tiago’s help, Basilio was able to go to Colegio de San Juan de Letrán where, at first, he is frowned upon by his peers and teachers not only because of the color of his skin but also because of his shabby appearance which he also experience at Ateneo. Captain Tiago’s confessor, Father Irene is making Captain Tiago’s health worse by giving him opium even as Basilio tries hard to prevent Captain Tiago from smoking it. He and other students want to establish a Spanish language academy so that they can learn to speak and write Spanish language in the Philippines Spanish despite the opposition from the Dominican Order Dominican friars of the Universidad de Santo Tomas. With the help of a reluctant Father Irene as their mediator and Don Custodio’s decision, the academy is established; however they will only serve as caretakers of the school not as the teachers. Dejected and defeated, they hold a mock celebration at a pancitería while a spy for the friars witnesses the proceedings.
Simoun, for his part, keeps in close contact with the bandit group of Kabesang Tales, a former cabeza de barangay who suffered misfortunes at the hands of the friars. Once a farmer owning a prosperous sugarcane plantation and a cabeza de barangay (barangay head), he was forced to give everything to the greedy and unscrupulous Spanish friars. His son, Tano, who became a civil guard was captured by bandits; his daughter Julî had to work as a maid to get enough ransom money for his freedom; and his father, Tandang Selo, suffered a stroke and became mute. Before joining the bandits, Tales took Simoun’s revolver while Simoun was staying at his house for the night. As payment, Tales leaves a locket that once belonged to María Clara. To further strengthen the revolution, Simoun has Quiroga, a Chinese man hoping to be appointed consul to the
Juli (played by Charito Solis)- Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales.
A few days after the mock celebration by the students, the people are agitated when disturbing posters are found displayed around the city. The authorities accuse the students present at the pancitería of agitation and disturbing peace and has them arrested. Basilio, although not present at the mock celebration, is also arrested. Captain Tiago dies after learning of the incident and as stated in his will—forged by Father Irene, all his possessions are given to the Church, leaving nothing for Basilio. Basilio is left in prison as the other students are released. A high official tries to intervene for the release of Basilio but the Captain-General, bearing grudges against the high official, coerces him to tender his resignation. Julî, Basilio’s girlfriend and the daughter of Kabesang Tales, tries to ask Father Camorra’s help upon the advice of an elder woman. Instead of helping Julî, however, Father Camorra tries to rape her as he has long-hidden desires for Julî. Julî, rather than submit to the will of the friar, jumps over the balcony to her deathBasilio is soon released with the help of Simoun. Basilio, now a changed man, and after hearing about Julî's suicide, finally joins Simoun’s revolution. Simoun then tells Basilio his plan at the wedding of Paulita Gómez and Juanito, Basilio’s hunch-backed classmate. His plan was to conceal an explosive inside a pomegranate-styled Kerosene lamp that Simoun will give to the newlyweds as a gift during the wedding reception. The reception will take place at the former home of the late Captain Tiago, which was now filled with explosives planted by Simoun. According to Simoun, the lamp will stay lighted for only 20 minutes before it flickers; if someone attempts to turn the wick, it will explode and kill everyone—important members of civil society and the Church hierarchy—inside the house. Basilio has a change of heart and attempts to warn the people inside, including Isagani, his friend and the former boyfriend of Paulita. Simoun leaves the reception early as planned and leaves a note behind.
Simoun examining the lamp that will start and ignite the revolution.
Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke by those left behind, Father Salví recognizes the handwriting and confirms that it was indeed Ibarra’s. As people begin to panic, the lamp flickers. Father Irene tries to turn the wick up when Isagani, due to his undying love for Paulita, bursts in the room and throws the lamp into the river, sabotaging Simoun's plans. He escapes by diving into the river as guards chase after him. He later regrets his impulsive action because he had contradicted his own belief that he loved his nation more than Paulita and that the explosion and revolution could have fulfilled his ideals for Filipino society.
Simon:
ReplyDeleteThe Wikipedia synopsis was based upon the book, not the film by Gerry de Leon, not unless I was delirious when I watched the movie. He-he. Maybe I was.
:)
Kabesang Tales (played by Ben Perez) shot Simoun (and not the guardia civiles like in the book - where he took poison later).
Or, is there another version of this film? Manong Gerry de Leon used to do that (having a Tagalog version and an English version). The El Filibusterismo I've seen here in north America showed Ben Perez shooting Simoun. So, I don't know if Wikipedia has another film source showing the synopsis they have. In your copy of El Filibusterismo, who shot Simoun?
I am really intrigued now.
:)
JM- I haven’t seen the movie, but I’m pretty sure that you’re right of Gerry de Leon’s version of Kabesang Tales shooting Simoun in the movie’s finale. The synopsis (from wikipedia) posted is based on the book and not of the film. I am also intrigued why Manong Gerry didn’t stick to the original storyline and changed the ending? Would this complicate matters, having two versions of ‘Fili’?
ReplyDeleteSir Simon:
ReplyDeleteWhat was the exact release date of this film? Where was its first showing? Can you identify more characters (and their respective actors) in El Fili aside from Simoun, Basilio, Cabesang Tales, and Juli?
Mark:
ReplyDeleteI don't have the details of the movie--- I think Isagani was portrayed by Carlos Padilla, Jr. Probably JM can help you---
Hi Simon:
ReplyDeleteI'm quite surprised you haven't got a copy of this great film!
The version I watched was in 16 mm and apart from some "rain" effect and some "blotted out" silver halides, the film was in very good condition. I heard the copy was found in an old theater somewhere in the Bicol region and whoever found it decided to exhibit it allover north America. A very noble purpose, I must say.
Adrian Cristobal's screenplay was very well written. The build up was almost like the perfect inclined of the world's most perfect cone, the Mayon Volcano.
:)
I find this one to be Gerry de Leon's masterpiece. Production value alone and location are enough reason to save this film, not to mention the amazing performance of Pancho Magalona.
As the evil Simoun, Magalona delivered a subdued soft-spoken character, yet intensely charismatic and dignified. However, you just feel the menacing demeanor behind those dark, period piece sunglasses (I wonder where Manong Gerry found those authentic-looking sunglasses. They could have created it from scratch). I'd say it was an ingenious way of an actor's balancing between feeling & jugment. It was Method Acting to the highest degree. A performance that would have made Constantin Stanislavski clap his hands non-stop, and would have compelled Lee Strassberg to quip: "to feel or not to feel – this is the best display of what acting is all about."
:)
The locations, especially the finale scene when Father Florentino dropped the chest of teasure was overwhelmingly beautiful, yet it leaves you with goosebumps seeing the height of the precipice, the forest behind it and the angry water below. The blocking of this scene was like a well-orchestrated symphony leaving you with exalted spirits yet confronting you with a sobering reality of man's existence.
Gerry de Leon's direction was absolutely sublime and he was sagacious enough to deconstruct Rizal's book and delivered to his audience a masterful Tagalog movie.
That copy which is doing its rounds here in north America should be restored and be duplicated and be shown to Filipinos in the Philippines.
Mark:
I can't recall the actual roles the other actors portray in the film, but many of them had cameo appearances. In fact, Charito Solis' role was quite short, but intense.
Let's hope this film will be re-released so that you'll have the chance to see it.
Hi, Simon.
ReplyDeleteI would really love to watch this movie. However, I can't find any FREE torrent or download in the internet, or any copy in stores. Where and how can I find one? Do you know any site that I may be able to watch this movie?
Sir Simon, I want to ask several questions regarding Gerry de Leon's film adaptation of El Filibusterismo.
ReplyDelete1. Why did Gerry changed the events of Simoun's downfall? Kabesang Tales shoots Simoun instead of the Civil Guard? Did the film crew cannot procure enough Guardia Civil costumes? Or it was part of censorship?
2. Was Paulita Gomez portrayed by Lourdes Medel?
3. What happened to Edita Vital after portraying Maria Clara in El Filibusterismo?
4. When was this motion picture released? I know it's 1962, but cannot find the exact date. What theater was the film's premiere?
5. If El Filibusterismo was adapted again into a film, for example, in 2011, would there be a possibility of being rated X by the MTRCB or the Roman Catholic Church taking action against the film's showing like they did to The Da Vinci Code?
where can i get a copy of this film? pls help me. e mail me nigel.maranan@yahoo.com thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh I wish I can get a copy of this! I love to watch old films and this is definitely on my list.
ReplyDeleteGood day! :) can i use the photos in this blog? i'll include them in my report. Thank you and God bless!
ReplyDeleteYes, you can use them!
ReplyDeleteRequest permission to use on Facebook please!
ReplyDelete