| The Soldiers of Pancho Villa | |
| Director: | Ismael Rodríguez |
| Producer: | Ismael Rodríguez |
| Screenplay: | Ismael Rodríguez José Luis de Celis Ricardo Garibay Antonio Méndez |
| Story: | José Bolaños Prado |
| Based On: | "La Cucaracha" |
| Starring: | María Félix Dolores del Río |
| Music: | Raúl Lavista |
| Cinematography: | Gabriel Figueroa |
| Editing: | Fernando Martínez |
| Studio: | Películas Rodríguez |
| Runtime: | 97 minutes |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Language: | Spanish |
The Soldiers of Pancho Villa (Spanish; Castilian: '''La Cucaracha''') is a 1959 Mexican epic historical drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Ismael Rodríguez, inspired by the popular Mexican Revolution corrido "La Cucaracha". It stars María Félix and Dolores del Río in the lead roles, and features Emilio Fernández, Antonio Aguilar, Flor Silvestre, and Pedro Armendáriz in supporting roles.
The film was nominated for a Golden Palm award at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival.[1] It was named the ninety-sixth best film of Mexican cinema by Somos magazine.[2] Filming took place in Zacatecas and in Sierra de Órganos National Park in the town of Sombrerete, México[3]
When the Mexican Revolution was exploding, there was a woman who made history, her name was "La Cucaracha" (María Félix). Her great passion was the Revolution, but her downfall was a man: Colonel Antonio Zeta (Emilio Fernández), who has eyes for another woman, Isabel, the widow (Dolores del Río). The rivalry between both women explodes.
La Cucaracha premiered at the Robles and Ariel theaters in Mexico City on November 12, 1959 for five weeks.[4] It premiered in the United States at New York City's Tivoli Theatre on November 1, 1961.[5]
Howard Thompson of The New York Times gave La Cucaracha a positive review by writing: "Although the film never rises in stature above its melodramatic plane and romantic embellishments, it is well acted, crisply directed by producer Ismael Rodríguez and graphically photographed by Gabriel Figueroa... Both Señorita Félix, as the amoral spitfire, and Señorita Del Río, as her aristocratic adversary, are persuasively passionate. Señor Fernández, as their manly quarry, is excellent. Even minus real depth, there is much to be said for a melodramatic eye-filler as tough and tangy as this one. Neighbors below, let's have more."
| Award | Category | Name | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menorah Awards[6] | Best Actress | ||
| Best Director | Ismael Rodríguez |