| Summary: | This investigation analyzes eleven movies made in Mexico about the 1910
Revolution and identifies contradictory elements that allow the films to portray and
propagate conservative social and political structures while championing the
revolutionary movement and its non-conservative ideals. By endorsing heroic
patriarchal figures and structures, reinforcing machismo, and simplifying the ideals and
reasons for fighting held by historical figures, the films manage to establish conservative
practices while celebrating the revolutionary movement.
What follows is a detailed analysis of a number of movies made throughout a
fifty year timeline (1934 – 1973). These include El compadre Mendoza (1934), El
tesoro de Pancho Villa (1935), Vámonos con Pancho Villa (1936), Los de abajo (1940),
Flor silvestre (1943), Si Adelita se fuera con otro (1948), Así era Pancho Villa (1957),
La Cucaracha (1959), La soldadera (1967), Caballo prieto azabache (La tumba de
Villa) (1968), and Reed, México insurgente (1973).While all three techniques
mentioned above do not appear in every movie, at least two of these contradictory
methods are visible in each.
The consistent reappearance of these techniques creates questions regarding the
various social and political reasons for which these contradictions continue to be
incorporated into the movie and the reasons for their continued acceptance by the
culture. A possible future project that will help to answer these questions is discussed in
the conclusion.
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