Jos Rizal (film)

Directed by
Produced by
Written by

Starring

Music by
Cinematogra
phy

Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Gilberto Duavit
Felipe Gozon
Menardo Jimenez
Ricky Lee
Jun Lana
Peter Ong Lim
Cesar Montano
Joel Torre
Jaime Fabregas
Gloria Diaz
Gardo Versoza
Pen Medina
Mickey Ferriols
Nonong Buencamino
Rody Lacap

Edited by

Jess Navarro
Manet Dayrit

Distributed
by

GMA Films

Release
dates
Running time
Country
Language
Budget
Box office

June 12, 1998 (as part of the

Philippine Centennial
celebrations)
December 25, 1998 (theatrical
release)
178 minutes
Philippines
English
Filipino
Spanish
German
80 million (estimated)
96 million

Jos Rizal is a 1998 Filipino biographical film of the Filipino national hero Jos Rizal
directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Cesar Montano as Jos Rizal.
At the time of its release, it was the most expensive film in the history of Filipino cinema
with a budget of over 80 million. The film was an official entry to the 1998 Metro Manila
Film Festival. Upon release, the film met universal critical acclaim.

Plot
Jos Rizal was imprisoned in Fort Santiago under the abusive Spanish colonization. Jos
Rizal was approached by a young uneducated Austronesian peoples asking the
importance of education during his life. Meanwhile, in Balintawak, Andrs Bonifacio and
his fellow secret organization of Katipunan commenced the uprising against the 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, 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 pan get 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 hallucinates, seeing his alter egoprotagonist
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 and the captain agrees.
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 had ambushed a Spanish military
company somewhere in Manila, completely catching the Spanish forces off guard and
seized their mounts, munitions and their rifles. They had also captured a church and
executed a friar in an act of vengeance for the execution of Rizal. Bonifacio and his top
generals met in their headquarters to plan a new offensive seeking to capture 10 towns
in a duration of 1 week from the Spanish. Rizal's picture can be seen at the background
of his headquarters.

Summary
The film started with a scene showing Rizal at Belgium writing a letter. The letter contains his
thoughts that the Philippines has a serious illness and that it is plagued by the Spanish
domination over our country. Crisostomo Ibarra was also introduced in the film, and it is Rizals
alter ego. Ibarra had been forced to have two personalities because of the worsening problem in
our country. He cursed the revolution and even the youth because they are asking for chains and
not freedom with Spain. He said, Mamamatay kayo bago pa man dumating ang inyong
kamatayan.
Rizal had published books such as the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as his weapons
against the dominions of Spain in our country. These novels became an inspiration over the
KATIPUNAN or the Sons of the People. Andres Bonifacio condemns the friars and he said that
the Spain is deaf and blind, they only make people become imbeciles and criminals. The only
way for independence and freedom is through revolution. The Katipunans tear their cedulas
that symbolizes to end all of their ties with Spain and unity with revolution.
The friars have discovered such revolution; they even interrogated Paciano (Rizals older brother)
just to gain information about the uprising in the country. The male members of Rizals family left
their home at Tondo, Manila because they were being hunted by Spanish forces. Meanwhile,
Governor General Blanco was subject to the commands of Monsignor Nosaleda.
On November 1896, Rizal has been brought to Fort Santiago in Manila, and he was being
interrogated by a colonel of Spain. He refuse to admit that he knows anything about the
revolution and the colonel accused him as a traitor, just like Fr. Burgos. Father Burgos has been
sentenced to death together with other priests such as Father Gomez and Father Zamora
(GOMBURZA). The death of Father Burgos was witnessed by Paciano. Paciano opened Rizals eyes
to the injustices at that time.
Rizal believed that education is important, but what matters most is how you have learned the
things in your life. Rizals first teacher was his mother and she had inspired him to learn more.
Soon, Rizal was sent to Ateneo Municipal in 1872 and University of Santo Thomas in 1878. Her

mother taught him the story of the moth; and she told him not to be like the little moth who was
fascinated with the fire and it had burned his wings and fall completely into death. Rizal not only
wanted to learn everything, but he wanted to see everything. He became a physician, and he
cured his mothers eye illness. He became a novelist and wrote about the current status of the
country. He became a good son and good brother in his family.
In the film, Rizals mother was accused of attempting to poison her sister-in-law and she was
imprisoned for almost two years. This is a revenge of the friars to Rizals family and to protect
Jose Rizal, Paciano advised him not to use Mercado anymore, and only Rizal.
Rizal was exiled and Signor Luis Taviel de Andrade became his Defense Counsel (the brother of
Jose Taviel, Rizals former bodyguard). Luis has unleashed the stories behind Rizals intent of
writing the novels, his life, his relationships, his education, and his beliefs. Luis believed that as a
writer, what Rizal did is not art, but propaganda. Rizal defended that what the Filipinos really
wanted is recognition that Filipinos are equal with Spaniards and peaceful reforms through
education and civic development.
Rizal went to Europe to study medicine and do whatever is necessary to help liberate the people,
as requested by Paciano. He left Leonor (his cousin and his lover) and his family to help his
fellow countrymen. Rizal did well in school of medicine and he was inspired by the uprisings in
Spain. He talked some of his fellow Filipinos in Spain in how shall they help in changing the
system in the Philippines.
Rizals novels stimulated uprisings in our country and some copies of it were burned by the friars.
Innocent people were imprisoned by the government by illegally possessing the books of Rizal.
La Solidaridad was founded and writings about the system were once again published. Some
misunderstanding happened between the members of the organization and Rizal went back to
the Philippines to face the Spaniards. In Manila, Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina in July 1892. It
aims to fortify the foundations of man and his family, give importance to education and
agriculture for the development of our country.
Rizal was exiled at Dapitan and there he met Josephine Bracken. Monsignor Nosaleda is not
contended with the exile of Rizal and he wanted him dead. He asked Governor General Blanco to
execute Rizal, but refuse to do so. A new governor general, Governor General Polavieja was sent
by Spain to grant Monsignor Nosaledas wish.
The revolution sparked despite Rizals disapproval. For him, we are not yet ready and it is not the
right time. Rizal however was charged with being the leader of the revolution and he was
sentenced to death. Rizal was fired on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan, Manila. His family
and the Filipino people mourned for his death. Filipinos joined the uprisings and with Rizals
death, we have achieved independence on June 12, 1896. Rizal died with honor and dignity for
his country and for his fellow countrymen. He had fought for our freedom till his last breath. He
had fought for his principles no matter how hard it is.

Cast
Cesar Montano as Jos Rizal
Joel Torre as Crisstomo Ibarra/Simoun
Jaime Fabregas as Luis Taviel de Andrade
Gloria Diaz as Teodora Alonso
Gardo Versoza as Andrs Bonifacio
Monique Wilson as Mara Clara
Chin Chin Gutierrez as Josephine Bracken
Mickey Ferriols as Leonor Rivera
Pen Medina as Paciano Rizal
Gina Alajar as Saturnina Rizal
Ronnie Lazaro as Francisco Mercado
Tanya Gomez as Narcisa Rizal
Tess Dumpit as Maria Rizal

Irma Adlawan as Lucia Rizal

Angie Castrence as Josefa Rizal
Rowena Basco as Trinidad Rizal
Kaye Marie June Congmon as Soledad Rizal
Dominic Guinto as young Jos Rizal
Ping Medina as young Paciano Mercado
Dennis Marasigan as Marcelo H. del Pilar

Awards and nominations

1998 Metro Manila Film Festival
Best Picture
Best Actor (Cesar Montano)
Best Director (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas)
Best Supporting Actress (Gloria Diaz)
Best Screenplay (Ricky Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
Best Original Story (Ricky Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
Best Editing (Jess Navarro and Manet Dayrit)
Best Sound Production (Mike Idioma)
Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
Best Special Effects (Mark Ambat of Optima Digital)
Best Makeup (Denni Yrastorza Tan)
Best Musical Score (Nonong Buencamino)
Best Movie Theme Song (Nonong Buencamino for "Awit ni Maria Clara")
Best Festival Float
Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Awards
1999 FAMAS Awards
Best Picture
Best Actor (Cesar Montano)
Best Director (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas)
Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
Best Editing (Jess Navarro and Manet A. Dayrit)
Best Movie Theme Song (Nonong Buencamino for "Awit ni Maria Clara")
Best Musical Direction (Nonong Buencamino)
Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
Best Screenplay (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
Best Special Effects (Rolando Santo Domingo)
1999 Gawad Urian Awards
Best Direction (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
Best Music (Nonong Buencamino)
Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
Best Sound (Albert Michael Idioma)

Best actress (Gorgonia Del Rivaera)

Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas)
1999 Star Awards for Movies
Movie of the Year
Actor of the Year (Cesar Montano)
Director of the Year (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
Supporting Actor of the Year (Jaime Fabregas)
Adapted Screenplay of the Year (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
Editor of the Year (Jess Navarro and Manet A. Dayrit)
Musical Scorer of the Year (Nonong Buencamino)
Production Designer of the Year (Leo Abaya)
Sound Engineering of the Year (Albert Michael Idioma)
The film has been screened and ran in competition in different film festivals worldwide
and included in the Official Selection for Panorama in the Berlin International Film Festival
(1998). It also won 2nd runner-up in the Audience Award of the Toronto Filmfest and the
Chicago International Film Festival.

Release

The series was released onto DVD-format and VCD-format by GMA Records.