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The Violin

Play trailer Poster for The Violin 2005 1h 38m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 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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The Violin

The Violin

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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John Monaghan Detroit Free Press Mar 7, 2008
3/4
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. Go to Full Review John Hartl Seattle Times Feb 8, 2008
3.5/4
Life-or-death matters are handled with compelling gravity. Go to Full Review Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Jan 4, 2008
4/5
A message this political has rarely been delivered in so poetic a form. Go to Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site Feb 14, 2021
The film is not a tract, it offers a sobering view of Mexican social reality, past and present. The traditional music is haunting. Go to Full Review Matthew Turner ViewLondon Oct 18, 2008
4/5
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Apr 30, 2008
B+
An impressive debut for Mexican writer and director Francisco Vargas. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dani G @RT81139271 Sep 20, 2023 Nice finding of a mexican movie. See more Leaburn @RT35452347 Jan 20, 2023 This film was alright 🤏 See more Nov 15, 2017 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. See more Oct 9, 2015 This is a cinematic masterpiece. A real jet and a guaranteed classic. See more Jun 6, 2014 Esta película es una película muy sencilla pero muy conmovedora y entretenida. See more May 30, 2014 This is one of those simple movies that captivate you. See more Read all reviews
The Violin

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Cast & Crew

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Francisco Vargas

Director

Ángel Tavira

Don Plutarco

Dagoberto Gama

The Captain

Fermín Martínez

The Lieutenant

Gerardo Taracena

Genaro

Mario Garibaldi

Lucio

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The Violin

The Violin (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
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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