Valente Quintero
Encyclopedia
Valente Quintero is a 1973 Mexican historical-drama
film
directed by Mario Hernández and written and produced by Antonio Aguilar
who stars in the title role along with Saby Kamalich
as his love-interest, and Narciso Busquets as the antagonist.
Made by the same production company that produced the award-winning epic Emiliano Zapata
, the film is loosely based on the corrido
Valente Quintero, written by Rosendo Monzón. The corrido originally narrates the conflict of two revolutionary officials. The film was dramatized and written to have a woman as the subject of conlict in the story.
tourists make a stop at the provincial town of Perales (which was filmed on-location in Tayahua, Zacatecas
). They are curious when they see two small memorials surrounded by rocks on the corner of a street. Meanwhile, two elderly veterans of the Mexican Revolution
, Chelelo (Eleazar García) and Cornelio (Cornelio Reyna
), come out to receive them. They explain to the tourists about the memorials and to whom are they in memory of. Chelelo then recounts the story of two revolutionary friends, Sub-lieutenant Valente Quitnero (Antonio Aguilar
) and Major Atanacio Pizarro (Narciso Busquets), who are fighting a battle in one of Perales' residential streets. Valente is shot in front of the late General Gumercindo Carillo's home where his widow doña Elvira Peña, daughter Leonor, and housemaid Carmen currently reside. Leonor witnesses Valente's casualty and is decided to go out and help him, against doña Elvira's will. Leonor then explains to her mother that she is returning a favor that could have been done to her father who died while bleeding helplessly in a forest. After, Leonor runs across the street to get the never-sober Doctor Plácido. Then Elvira, Carmen, and Leonor take a hand to bring Valente into the house. Valente stays ill in bed for several days, when his friend Atanacio later receives word about his survival. Atanacio is captivated by the elegant, sophisticated Leonor and admires the conservative sharp-tongued matron Elvira. Antonio and Leonor also start a romantic relationship, which leads them to marriage. Atanacio, who is now a rich, alcoholic landowner duels Antonio for the love of Leonor on the night of his honeymoon. The conflict ends in both Valente and Atanacio being killed by one another.
, on April 12, 1973, exclusively in the theaters Mariscala, Carrusel, De la Villa, and Marina for six weeks. Along with La yegua colorada, another film he also directed, Mario Hernández tried to revive the Mexican Revolution
subject in Mexican cinema.
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
directed by Mario Hernández and written and produced by Antonio Aguilar
Antonio Aguilar
José Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza most commonly known as Antonio Aguilar, nicknamed "El Charro de México", was a Mexican film actor, singer, producer and screenwriter. During his career, he made over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and made 167 movies...
who stars in the title role along with Saby Kamalich
Saby Kamalich
Saby Kamalich is a Peruvian-born Mexican film and television actress. Her father Antonio Fantoni was from Italy, and her mother was from Croatia...
as his love-interest, and Narciso Busquets as the antagonist.
Made by the same production company that produced the award-winning epic Emiliano Zapata
Emiliano Zapata (film)
Emiliano Zapata is a 1970 Mexican film directed by Felipe Cazals.-Cast:* Armando Acosta* Antonio Aguilar as Emiliano Zapata* David Alejandro* Mário Almada-Awards:...
, the film is loosely based on the corrido
Corrido
The corrido is a popular narrative song and poetry form, a ballad, of Mexico. The songs are often about oppression, history, daily life for peasants, and other socially important information. It is still a popular form today, and was widely popular during the Mexican Revolution and Nicaraguan...
Valente Quintero, written by Rosendo Monzón. The corrido originally narrates the conflict of two revolutionary officials. The film was dramatized and written to have a woman as the subject of conlict in the story.
Plot
In the contemporary era (circa 1973), two CubanCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
tourists make a stop at the provincial town of Perales (which was filmed on-location in Tayahua, Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Zacatecas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Zacatecas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is Zacatecas....
). They are curious when they see two small memorials surrounded by rocks on the corner of a street. Meanwhile, two elderly veterans of the Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
, Chelelo (Eleazar García) and Cornelio (Cornelio Reyna
Cornelio Reyna
Cornelio Reyna was a Mexican norteño singer.Cornelio Reyna formed a partnership with the legendary Ramón Ayala to create the famous duet called Los Relampagos del Norte in 1963. The band stayed together for eight years and then in 1971, Reyna decided to pursue a solo career as a mariachi singer...
), come out to receive them. They explain to the tourists about the memorials and to whom are they in memory of. Chelelo then recounts the story of two revolutionary friends, Sub-lieutenant Valente Quitnero (Antonio Aguilar
Antonio Aguilar
José Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza most commonly known as Antonio Aguilar, nicknamed "El Charro de México", was a Mexican film actor, singer, producer and screenwriter. During his career, he made over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and made 167 movies...
) and Major Atanacio Pizarro (Narciso Busquets), who are fighting a battle in one of Perales' residential streets. Valente is shot in front of the late General Gumercindo Carillo's home where his widow doña Elvira Peña, daughter Leonor, and housemaid Carmen currently reside. Leonor witnesses Valente's casualty and is decided to go out and help him, against doña Elvira's will. Leonor then explains to her mother that she is returning a favor that could have been done to her father who died while bleeding helplessly in a forest. After, Leonor runs across the street to get the never-sober Doctor Plácido. Then Elvira, Carmen, and Leonor take a hand to bring Valente into the house. Valente stays ill in bed for several days, when his friend Atanacio later receives word about his survival. Atanacio is captivated by the elegant, sophisticated Leonor and admires the conservative sharp-tongued matron Elvira. Antonio and Leonor also start a romantic relationship, which leads them to marriage. Atanacio, who is now a rich, alcoholic landowner duels Antonio for the love of Leonor on the night of his honeymoon. The conflict ends in both Valente and Atanacio being killed by one another.
Cast
- Antonio AguilarAntonio AguilarJosé Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza most commonly known as Antonio Aguilar, nicknamed "El Charro de México", was a Mexican film actor, singer, producer and screenwriter. During his career, he made over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and made 167 movies...
- Valente Quintero - Saby KamalichSaby KamalichSaby Kamalich is a Peruvian-born Mexican film and television actress. Her father Antonio Fantoni was from Italy, and her mother was from Croatia...
- Leonor Carillo - Narciso Busquets - Atanacio Pizarro
- Sara GarcíaSara GarcíaSara García was a Mexican actress who made her biggest mark during the "Golden Age of Mexican cinema". During the 1940s and 1950s, she often played the part of a no-nonsense but lovable grandmother in numerous Mexican films...
- doña Elvira Peña - Eleazar García - Chelelo
- Cornelio ReynaCornelio ReynaCornelio Reyna was a Mexican norteño singer.Cornelio Reyna formed a partnership with the legendary Ramón Ayala to create the famous duet called Los Relampagos del Norte in 1963. The band stayed together for eight years and then in 1971, Reyna decided to pursue a solo career as a mariachi singer...
- Cornelio - Flor SilvestreFlor Silvestre (actress)Flor Silvestre , is a Mexican actress, ranchera singer, and comic book superhero. She is regarded as one of the great "folklóricas" of Mexican cinema, Silvestre is also one of the principal cinematographic and musical stars of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema...
- Rafaela - Enriqueta JiménezEnriqueta JiménezEnriqueta "Queta" Jiménez, also known as La Prieta Linda, is a Mexican film actress and singer of the ranchera genre. Noted for her brown complexion, Jiménez was also cast in supporting roles from 1957 to 1989...
- Carmen - Alejandro ReynaAlejandro ReynaAlejandro Reyna, also known as "el Tío Plácido", was a Mexican actor and singer. Reyna usually appeared in films starring Antonio Aguilar. Reyna received a starring role as "Plácido Buenavista" in El ojo de vidrio ....
- Doctor Plácido - Salvador Sánchez - Federal captain
- Vicky Roig - Cuban tourist
- Paco Sañudo - Procopio
Reception
The film premiered in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, on April 12, 1973, exclusively in the theaters Mariscala, Carrusel, De la Villa, and Marina for six weeks. Along with La yegua colorada, another film he also directed, Mario Hernández tried to revive the Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
subject in Mexican cinema.