(aka "Xochimilco" or "Portrait of Maria")
directed by Emilio Fernández
México 1943
One of the best cinematic experiences I've witnessed, a
milestone in Mexican Film History, This Winner of the Grand Prix and Best
Cinematography at the Cannes Film Festival in 1946.
This was one of the highest peaks that reached a successful career of the
duo of Director Emilio Fernández and Cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa. The
movie depicts one of the director's passions: the injustice and prejudice at
poor and innocent people.
Lorenzo Rafael (played by Pedro Armendáriz) is living with María Candelaria
(Dolores Del Río) and they plan to get married until tragedy occurs as she
gets ill and Lorenzo Rafael has to break in to a store and steals medicine
and a dress for Maria for their wedding day. The owner of the store: Don
Damián (Miguel Inclán) wants Maria for him, and incarcerates Lorenzo Rafael.
Maria tries to get money to put Lorenzo out of jail as she poses for a
painter in Xochimilco, but a confusion implodes tragic events.
Theatrical Release: January 20th, 1944 - Mexico
DVD Review: Alter Films - Region 1,4 - NTSC
| DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
|
| Distribution |
Alter Films Region 1,4 - NTSC |
|
| Runtime | 1:37:00 | |
| Video |
1:33
Original Aspect Ratio |
|
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
||
| Bitrate |
|
|
| Audio | Spanish (Mexican) 2.0 | |
| Subtitles | English, Spanish, none | |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Alter Films Aspect Ratio: Edition Details: -
text biographies of the 3 principal actors (In
Spanish) Chapters 10 |
|
| Comments | Tape -sourced and
non-progressive again, this DVD seems slightly superior to
Frida (the first
Alter Films DVD I reviewed). This print has a lot of damage and crackling
audio. Subtitles are a disturbing bright yellow. A few scenes seem to have some contrast boosting, but for the most
part it looks free of digital boosting. It has a menu structure and 20
chapters, but the only ones I can see interested in this are fans of
Mexico's golden age of cinema. This film is quite highly lauded and I
assume will be released properly one day. The price sure is right, so its
up to you whether you feel it is worth it.
out of  Gary W. Tooze ************* |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
|
|
 |
Screen Captures
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: lots of damage visible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
|
Gary Tooze
|
|
Thank You!
