GomBurZa

Another entry into the growing list of commendable historical films to emerge from the Philippines in recent times, "GomBurZa" is historical drama filmed in elegance and solemnity. The trial and execution of Mariano Gomes, José Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, Philippine Catholic priests unjustly accused of rebellion against Spain during the latter's colonial occupation of the Philippines was the trigger that led to the revolution that would oust the Spaniards from the country. Led by a solid cast including veteran actor Dante Rivero, film heartthrob Piolo Pascual and cinema mainstays Cedrick Juan and Enchong Dee the film depicts in tones of dark hue the abuse Filipinos underwent from the Spanish priesthood and the growing, simmering unrest that would ignite into full rebellion. The period piece offers a fine glimpse of 19th Century tropical colonial life.

While well-paced and well-acted the steady, gradual build-up of the movie leads to slow parts spotted throughout the film. While the film very much gets to the point from the get-go this is the kind of film that works best when it ditches the chaff and cuts to the chase all throughout zooming straight to the climax. Historical accuracy is also put into question in some instances. The Spanish friars in the film don't look much like Spaniards and they resemble more mixed-race locals and Filipinos. The local language used is questionable as many words used smack more of contemporary vernacular rather than mid-19th Century Tagalog.

A success in art and a call and reminder to patriotism, "GomBurZa" shows and highlights the importance of unity in culture, race and nationhood. A veritable reminder through art that a nation is it's own living, breathing unique self that has its own path to travel and no exterior, outside influence has the right to interfere with it's destiny and calling.

Another failed attempt by a Filipino who thinks he could really direct a motion picture. Filmmaking is not merely about camera angles, anamorphic lenses and popular actors, it should be more on how you tell stories that are both dramatically striking and future proof. The whole film is too clean for a historical narrative when it should be edgy and bold visually. Acting is also underwhelming (except Enchong) and predictable--no intensity! I really wish we had more filmmakers who can compete with or be on par with international directors. Sadly, the local film students I meet and production companies I know still have no unique and new ideas that I haven't seen in the past twenty or even thirty years. The score and Spanish are also horrendous!

This movie is a masterpiece! Thankful this was created as real Philippine history was shown. All the characters were amazing. Cinematography, sound, every little detail was well executed. Storyline will keep you glued from start to end. It stays with you. Inspiring, keeps the heart burning for justice and hope and love for our heroes who fought bravely for freedom. It moved me to learn more about our Philippine history and read again books of Jose Rizal. Jose Rizal himself remembers the GOMBURZA martyrdom. Lastly, the theme song "Duyan ng Bayan" is a favorite now and a battle cry to continue the flame of love for country burning. This movie is now in my well-loved films.

I would not say that I am a history buff. But, As far as my memory of Nick Joaquin's book A Question of Heroes goes, this movie is accurate. Andoon pa nga si Pelaez e, tunay na bayani. Akala ko hindi ako maaawa kay Zamora, andoon din. I didn't feel anything for Zamora when I read that he was just a gambler who was just mixed up because his last name started with Z. But, the movie made me pity him.

Just don't mind the Spanish accents of some actors (buti pa si Jaime Fabregas). Plus some of the costumes had a bit of difference, I didn't notice this but the people who were watching with me did.

Still, it is a great movie especially for students. It has historical value. That's why I rated it high.

I liked the sets and production pieces, they did not look sloppy. However, since half the show's dialogue was in Spanish, they should have invested time and money in an accent coach. It was rather disappointing to hear Caucasian-looking Spaniard officials speaking with Taglish prosody, syntax, and grammar. Sure, most of them did pull off a modicum of the European Spanish "lisp", but the forced ceceo was all the more phony- and slapdash-sounding amidst all the Taglish glottal stops, the nasal tones, the r/rr merging, the stress on the wrong syllables (Burgós), the hard b, d, p, the butchered d (misericordjha)...