The Violin

2005

1h 38m

Drama

List

94%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

85%

Audience Score

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.

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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

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.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 7, 2008

Full Review

John Hartl

Seattle Times

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

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 8, 2008

Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

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

Rated: 4/5

Jan 4, 2008

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

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

Feb 14, 2021

Full Review

Matthew Turner

ViewLondon

Rated: 4/5

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

An impressive debut for Mexican writer and director Francisco Vargas.

Rated: B+

Apr 30, 2008

Full Review

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Dani G

Nice finding of a mexican movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/20/23

Full Review

Leaburn

This film was alright 🤏

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Serge L

Not at all the regular US film about heroes overcoming incredible odds. No superpower there. Only resistants that wishes they had a gun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/28/18

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

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Francisco Vargas

Director

Ángel Tavira

Don Plutarco

Dagoberto Gama

The Captain

Fermin Martinez

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
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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