At the time of its release, it was the most expensive film in the history of Philippine cinema with a budget of over PhP80 million. The film was an official entry to the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival. Upon release, the film met a universal critical acclaim.
Cast
Cesar Montano - José Rizal
Joel Torre -Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun
Gloria Diaz - Teodora Alonso
Jaime Fabregas - Luis Taviel de Andrade
Gardo Versoza - Andrés Bonifacio
Monique Wilson - Maria Clara
Chin Chin Gutierrez - Josephine Bracken
Mickey Ferriols - Leonor Rivera
Pen Medina - Paciano Rizal
Peque Gallaga - Archbishop Bernardo Nozaleda, O.P.
Bon Vibar - Ramón Blanco
Subas Herrero - Alcocer
Tony Mabesa - Camilo de Polavieja
Alexis Santaren - Olive
Chiqui Xerxes-Burgos - Father Villaclara, S.J.
Plot
Imprisoned in Fort Santiago under the abusive Spanish colonization, José Rizal (Cesar Montano) was approached by a young uneducated indio asking the importance of education during his life. Meanwhile, in Balintawak, Andrés Bonifacio (Gardo Versoza) and his fellow secret organization of Katipunan, commenced the uprising against the cruel tyranny created by the Spaniards by tearing their cedula as a sign of Spanish slavery.
Soon, a first lieutenant of the Artillery, Luis Taviel de Andrade (Jamie Fabregas), visited Rizal. Taviel de Andrade did not waste time to study carefully Rizal’s case. In just a short period of time, Rizal and Taviel captured each other’s sympathy and eventually became friends as they had usual meetings in Rizal’s cell in Fort Santiago. Taviel was even able to celebrate Christmas with Rizal in the cell where they drank and sang together.
After Christmas, Rizal was sent to Royal Audiencia (the colonial court of appeal) to hear the trial against him. Soon after, the magistrates decided to condemn him under firing squad on the 30th of the morning in Luneta.
At the night before the execution, Rizal was hallucinated, seeing his alter ego-protagonist Simoun of his novel El Filibusterismo tempting the author to change the climax of the story.
On the morning of the execution, his kin received a small alcohol stove (not a gas lamp as commonly portrayed) from his cell containing the last poem "Mi Ultimo Adios." Stopping at the place of execution facing the rising sun, Rizal asked the authorities for a last request as he faces the firing squad but the request is denied. Calm and without haste, he changed his request to save his head during execution. At the moment the shooting squad points at his back, he readily uttered his final words: Consummatum est. (It is done.)
After the execution, members of the Katipunan successfully seized the Spaniards' weapons and horses and soon after, Katipuneros of many filipino provinces in war continued to battle, leaving Rizal's legacy in their minds and hearts.
Release
The series was released onto DVD-format and VCD-format by GMA Records.
My DVD ^_^
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