Captain Pantoja and the Special Service

R

2000

2h 17m

Drama

List

63%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

76%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

A stern Peruvian army captain (Angie Cepeda) gets orders to set up a makeshift brothel to serve the needs of his troops.

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Megan Lehmann

New York Post

Director Francisco de Lombardi fills his sensual film with plenty of gorgeous shots of the lush landscape and its equally exotic, miniskirted 'fauna.'

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 14, 2003

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Nick Rutigliano

Village Voice

This film might've fared better if those involved realized how fiercely their material begs for a plunge into the deep end.

Feb 11, 2003

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Jonathan Curiel

San Francisco Chronicle

A pedestrian film that provides little more than a superficial treat.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 22, 2002

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

This comedy reveals itself almost as a schizoid drama about a man rich in imagination and poor in spirit. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 7, 2022

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

There's a winning, genial quality to the film that makes the satire go down well.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 29, 2018

Full Review

David Elliott

San Diego Union-Tribune

Francisco Lombardi's film is a bit long, but upholds comedy and jungle sensuality on a very amusing tripod.

May 9, 2003

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dustin d

Pantaleon is funny at times, but gets increasingly pessimistic. It is interesting to see the main character, Captain Pantoja, a straight-arrow army officer show his true colors under temptation. He's incredibly disciplined, but also selfish and hard to like. The Colombiana is portrayed as a temptress, but there are hints at her motivation--mainly survival--that make her sympathetic. I liked the subtle character study, but overall the movie was kind of dumb and overlong.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

"Pantaleón y las Visitadoras" comienza como drama cómico de increíbles situaciones pero se vuelve en un drama completo gracias a los gajes del oficio en que se ve forzado a meterse el protagonista en su absurdo cumplimiento del deber, muy bien plasmados por Salvador del Solar Angie Cepeda y el resto de su notorio elenco.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

Exquisite social criticism.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

My first brush with Peruvian cinema. Take me to the Amazon, now!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

Avevo letto il libro, ma non sapevo che esisteva il film, trovato per puro caso in TV. Argomento contrastante ed scomodo.Milizia e prostituzione. Bellissimi paesaggi della giungla amazzonica del Peruâ(TM).

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Muy buena con un tema super variado

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Francisco J. Lombardi

Director

Salvador del Solar

Pantaleón Pantoja

Angie Cepeda

Colombiana

Pilar Bardem

Chuchupe

Mónica Sánchez

Pochita

Tatiana Astengo

Pechuga

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Synopsis

A stern Peruvian army captain (Angie Cepeda) gets orders to set up a makeshift brothel to serve the needs of his troops.

Director: Francisco J. Lombardi
Screenwriter: Giovanna Pollarolo
Production Co: Tornasol Films S.A.
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (DVD): Oct 28, 2003
Runtime: 2h 17m