The movie tells the life of Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda that was born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861. He is the national hero of the Philippines. The movie introduces us the life of the Filipino people under the rule of the Spaniards. It started in the execution of three Filipino priests in 1872, to the harsh and unequal treatment of Filipino students in the schools and to Filipino women. We see scenes from Rizal’s actual life but also from his imagination, his novels.
As a young man, Jose is sent to study in Spain. This is the plan by his brother Paciano. Jose will write and do everything to show the world the abuses of Spanish power in the Philippines, while Paciano protects their family at home. Jose excels in his studies as a medical student at Madrid University of the Philippines and earns a degree as an ophthalmic surgeon. Later on, he becomes involved with a group of radical Filipino students who also seeks the end of the abuses of the Spaniards. Then he decide to return to the Philippines.
He is arrested by the Spanish authorities upon his return to the Philippines in 1892. He is sent to Dapitan in Mindanao where the Spanish authorities can keep a watchful an on him. There he meets the love of his life, Josephine Bracken. They had a son but died after he was born. When a rebellion breaks out in 1896 the Spanish governor orders that Rizal be moved to the prison in Manila.
It is here that Rizal is introduced to Luis Taviel who has been appointed to defend him at his trial. Taviel is a Spanish officer who at first mistrusts Rizal and views him as a dangerous revolutionary. Most of the movie takes place in Rizal’s prison cell and involves Taviel asking questions about his life. Eventually, Taviel learns to respect Rizal and he decides to do his best in defending him.
The evil head of the Franciscan order in Manila arranges for a new governor to take over a control of the Philippines. They sais that whatever happens Rizal must die. Despite of his best efforts, Taviel cannot save Rizal from his fate. Taviel also admits to Rizal that he was ashamed that he was a Spaniard.
On the night before the execution, Rizal is confronted by his own character from his novel. Simoun urges Rizal to rewrite him so his mission can be for a higher purpose. And so in his final work, Rizal pens “Mi Ultimate Adios” knowing full well that his death will light the torch of the Filipino Revolution.
The final few scenes show Rizal bring out to the execution ground. He requests to face the firing squad but he is denied. The Spanish want to shoot him in his back traitor. But as he is shot full of bullets, he manages to turn as he falls so that he lands facing the sky.
THE END!
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