The story took place during the Philippine-American War, focusing on the leadership of Heneral Luna to

the Philippine Revolutionary Army. It revolved not only about the war against the Americans, but mainly
on the conflict among Filipinos. The issue was about the presence of Americans and other Filipinos
supporting the Americans’ ways such as Buencamino and Paterno. The idea of fellow Filipinos supporting
Americans enraged Heneral Luna for he was very patriotic and strongly fought for the freedom of the
Philippines. Though Luna was considered to be a great leader of the army, some were against his
leadership for others envy or were threatened by his presence. He had conflicts with other fellow
generals such Mascardo which lead to more hatred against Luna.

Luna was assassinated at Aguinaldo’s headquarters. He was framed that the President called him, though
upon his arrival he already left and Buencamino was the one in the office. During their argument, shots
were fired outside so Luna went out to inspect. The brutal killing happened as Janolino appeared,
captain of Kawit that he also had a fight with, killing him along with the other soldiers against Luna. He
was shot and stabbed repeatedly to death. Other loyal soldiers to Luna were killed including the Bernal
brothers. Heneral Luna was buried with full military honors as ordered by Aguinaldo by the same men
who killed him.

Hener6al Antonio Luna’s killers were never found and still remains a controversy up to now.

Renashel reaction

It was very heartrending and i couldn’t even bear to see the brutality of General Luna’s death which was
done not by the enemy but by his fellow countrymen, it was like slaughtering an animal in a bloody
manner. At the same time I was amazed by his courage or shall we say the patriotism that he showed for
fighting against the Americans to commit freedom.

Recommend

I highly recommend this movie especially to the students because what we learned in our previous
grades weren’t enough for us to understand the history. This movie contains great content about the
history and of course General Luna’s life that everybody must watch.

Shied reaction

Watching Heneral Luna is one of the best things I have done in my life. I could say that this movie is a real
eye opener. A lot of feelings I've experienced while watching this movie specially to my fellow
countrymen who betrayed Heneral Luna. I admired him for his persistent on his beliefs, for his strength
and specially for his will and desire to protect our country. He is one of the Philippines’ greatest generals.
He was the most intelligent in the Philippine military, the wisest man who ever ruled the Philippine
system in fighting using brilliant tactics instead of technology. But his temperament caused him to have
enemies, both local and foreign. It is devastating to lose one of the greatest generals, the Philippines
ever had just because of petty internal fights. I do believe that Luna’s leadership against Americans could
have been successful without the other fellow Filipinos that were against his plans or enforcements. It
attracts many Filipinos especially the youth because it gives us the power of bravery and cooperation to
each other. And another reason why it attracts the youth is because it’s gives us knowledge about the
history before and the heroism of the Filipinos before.

Recommend

I highly recommend my fellow Filipinos to watch this to learn more about history that cannot be sufficed
by reading in a book. This movie is not just about the story of Antonio Luna it also shows the willingness
of our Filipino ancestors who fought and willingly sacrificed for the country. I really admire this movie
because it is very entertaining because despite of the theme of the movie (action-historical) there is a
little bit comedy. And I'm pretty sure that you will learn a lot from this movie. So what are you waiting for
watch it now!

Jea REACTION

"Filipinos killed the only real general they had." - McArthur and Otis (American's General)

"We all lost." - Emilio Aguinaldo

I agree with them. My first impression on Heneral Luna was like “This is the kind of leader that the
Philippines need right now”. I really adored him for his strength, his will to protect his country and his
persistent on his beliefs. He fought for his country, leaded many soldiers and constructed battle
strategies. The most difficult part in his period of being a general is that he had to argue with his co-
Filipinos, make them follow his orders, and fight for what he think is right. Not everyone agreed with his
morals, thus earning him the title of “Heneral Artikulo Uno” because of his strictness. The power and
selfishness blinded us greatly from nationalism. He have hope because it was his country. Heneral Luna
was the only (history) movie that left a tattoo on me. As he said "The Filipino nation seeks its
independence, and I will sustain the cause of my country until the very end. It is always better to fall on
the field of battle than to accept any foreign rule. If progress is just a dream, let us dream on until the
end."

RECOMMENDATION

Jerrold Tarog’s historical drama about a military commander's struggle for independence is the
Philippines' submission for the best foreign language film Oscar. Paying tribute to a heroic military
commander spearheading the Philippine struggle for nationhood at the end of the 19th century, Heneral
Luna is a sturdy, stirring if perhaps sometimes simplistic historical epic about bravery and treachery in a
country at war. Local audiences have warmed to John Arcilla’s high-octane turn as Luna and also how his
story mirrors the chaos of contemporary Philippine politics. Tarog’s mission in reconstructing his
country’s national narrative gave us a WOW impact. His pedagogical objectives are manifested in the
film’s framing device of Joven, a fictional character whose name is Spanish — the lingua franca in
colonial Philippines in the 19th century — for "young man." Heneral Luna is meant to be this generic
bespectacled journalist’s observations of the life and death of a national hero. He begins the film
listening to Luna recalling his rise to power — the recollections visualized as a long flashback — while he
then gets to witness the general in action, during his final battles against foreign forces and then
adversaries within his own ranks. With Luna’s demise very much predestined, Tarog’s film plays out a
whirlwind j’accuse in which a warrior defies his double-dealing detractors, rages against the dying light
and lurches towards a grisly end. Heneral Luna does have its lighter moments, such as the general’s near-
slapstick attempt to commandeer a train for his soldiers or his gallows humor while trapped in the
trenches. But comic relief is rare in this bulldozing epic about a selfless patriot in a dangerous age, and
the film is filled with scenes and dialogue highlighting Luna’s vision of his country being free. Heneral
Luna trades in as little subtlety as its titular hero does.