This movie is a 1998 Filipino biographical film of the Philippine national hero José

Rizal directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Cesar Montano as José Rizal.

Dr.Jose Rizal, our National Hero was a noble person. The movie was saying what was
the real meaning of "Patriotism" that was being instilled in every Filipino's mind. The
movie focuses on the condition of the society and also to the government at the time of
the Spanish Colonization. With the use of the novels, "Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo" written by himself the Filipinos have been awaken to the reality such as
the abusive ways of the Spaniards towards the Filipino people. It really gave the picture
of abusing and oppression of the Spanish Government and also the Friars. Because of
that, Dr. Jose Rizal finally realized that writing was the best way on how to awake the
hearts of these poor Filipino and that the start of the climax, the start of fighting. Rizal
didn't really stay being blind, mute and deaf in fighting the condition of the Filipino. He
also criticized the Friars in using the religion for abusing the people. The movie had
successfully showed some of the characteristics of the Filipino like being brave and
Patriotism especially at the time of Rizal. But lastly, the most important for him was to
give his country the freedom and justice until the end of his life. He showed that “Pen is
mightier than the sword”. Even though he didn’t fight or lead a war to fight against the
Spanish, his writings were enough to deal damage to them and influence revolutionists
like Andres Bonifacio. Without Jose Rizal, Filipinos wouldn’t have the courage to reach
our freedom.
We can really see from its whole movie because the story started at the jail. This
happened when his death was approaching. He talked to Atty. Jose Taviel de Andrade.
He narrated his life from being a child until being a grown-up man. He also narrated his
love for the country until to his death. The story primarily focuses on the life of Rizal as a
good son, respectful and intelligent student and a true gentleman. It focuses also to his
works in arts but not in every woman who got involved to him. Obviously, the role of the
women before was they don’t have major role in speaking but on the action that's very
essential in delivering the message. Lastly, we can see here also the works of Jose
Rizal such as the two novels mentioned above.

The movie pertains the life of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Describing his
youthful life, his studies, his life when he was endeavoring in the other country, his
journey, his life when he was in Dapitan and finally his life when death was approaching
to him.

The Jose Rizal movie is considered as an Obra Maestra directed by a Veteran

Director named Marilou Diaz- Abaya. She is really a daughter of an art and this movie
proved that. Her ways are very effective in giving the real happenings in the life of Dr.
Jose Rizal. the movie was being portrayed clear and the viewers would really believe
that it was really as it was before from the setting, actors and actresses and also the
time.
Obviously, the actions and on how the actors and actresses move is very truthful
in the eyes of the viewers. Mr. Cesar Montano, the primary actor is a great actor. Even
in speaking Spanish and how to forge the handwritten of Jose Rizal and these help the
movie to be effective. The supporting actors and actresses are also great in giving their
roles, portraying it right and the message is effective. 

The sound effect of the movie is not so clear and defined since the technology
used is from the 1990’s. But, the focus of the camera is very clear and it helps the
scene to be seen truly. The pictures on the movie is clear but not high defined quality
but, the setting like mountains or hills, the farms and the surrounding are easily
recognized. Overall, the movie wasn’t bad. I like how some of the characters act
especially the main character of Jose Rizal and the scene of Maria Clara, when she was
singing in the movie. I would really recommend the movie to all people who haven’t
watched it yet especially to teenagers nowadays.