The Violin

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The Violin

2005

1h 38m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

An elderly Mexican musician, Don Plutarco (Ángel Tavira), leads a traveling band that also includes his son, Genaro (Gerardo Taracena), and grandson, Lucio (Mario Garibaldi). Determined to fight the country's military regime, Plutarco and his family help to supply guerrilla fighters by hiding ammunition and other supplies in their instrument cases. When Plutarco's village is overrun by the regime, he boldly decides to further undermine their efforts.

Critics Consensus

Vargas makes a strong debut with The Violin, which features crisp photography, a poetic screenplay, and a breakthrough performance by Tavira.

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John Monaghan

Detroit Free Press

Mar 7, 2008

3/4

The film from first-timer Francisco Vargas puts a human face on universal suffering. It is also about the power of music, as the title instrument saves (for a while anyway) three generations of peasant men in their roles as guerrilla fighters.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

Feb 8, 2008

3.5/4

Life-or-death matters are handled with compelling gravity.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Jan 4, 2008

4/5

A message this political has rarely been delivered in so poetic a form.

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Feb 14, 2021

The film is not a tract, it offers a sobering view of Mexican social reality, past and present. The traditional music is haunting.

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Matthew Turner

ViewLondon

Oct 18, 2008

4/5

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Apr 30, 2008

B+

An impressive debut for Mexican writer and director Francisco Vargas.

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Dani G

@RT81139271 Sep 20, 2023

Nice finding of a mexican movie.

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Leaburn

@RT35452347 Jan 20, 2023

This film was alright 🤏

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Nov 15, 2017

This movie is one of my favorites of all time! This Director is great and the acting superb! The Violin touched me like most movies never do.

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Oct 9, 2015

This is a cinematic masterpiece. A real jet and a guaranteed classic.

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Jun 6, 2014

Esta película es una película muy sencilla pero muy conmovedora y entretenida.

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May 30, 2014

This is one of those simple movies that captivate you.

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Francisco Vargas

Director

Ángel Tavira

Don Plutarco

Dagoberto Gama

The Captain

Fermín Martínez

The Lieutenant

Gerardo Taracena

Genaro

Mario Garibaldi

Lucio

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Synopsis

An elderly Mexican musician, Don Plutarco (Ángel Tavira), leads a traveling band that also includes his son, Genaro (Gerardo Taracena), and grandson, Lucio (Mario Garibaldi). Determined to fight the country's military regime, Plutarco and his family help to supply guerrilla fighters by hiding ammunition and other supplies in their instrument cases. When Plutarco's village is overrun by the regime, he boldly decides to further undermine their efforts.

Director: Francisco Vargas
Producer: Francisco Vargas
Screenwriter: Francisco Vargas
Production Co: Fidecine
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $65.3K
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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