OCCIDENTAL MINDORO STATE COLLEGE

Labangan, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

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College of Criminal Justice Education

Rizal's Life
By
Marilou Diaz Abaya

A Movie Analysis
presented to
ESTRELLA H. PICCIO, MAT-ELA
Instructor

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirement for the Course
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Submitted by:
LADY AIVELLE J. GARCIA

October, 2024
 Movie Analysis of Jose Rizal's Life

by Marilou Diaz Abaya

I. Introduction

Marilou Diaz-Abaya's 1998 film, Jose Rizal, is a cinematic biography of the Philippine national
hero, José Rizal. It tries to narrate the life of Rizal from his childhood to his execution in a
historically accurate way. However, it has generated critical debates about its narrative choices,
historical accuracy, and overall impact. The strengths and weaknesses of the film in trying to
form the life of Rizal will lie in the narrative structure, its historical accuracy, and its impact on
Philippine culture.

II. Objectives

This discussion aims to accomplish the following objectives:

2.1. Identify some of the significant events and personalities in Rizal's life, as shown in the
movie, and evaluate their historical validity.

2.2. Discuss the film's narrative pattern and its concentration on certain themes in Rizal's life.

2.3. Evaluate the influence of the film on the culture of the Philippines and its use in shaping
the public view of Rizal's heritage.

III. Methodology

This analysis applies historical criticism that compares what the film puts forward of Rizal's life
to known established accounts of history and available biographies. This discussion will look at
how film narratives could impact what one might interpret of Rizal's life and its context.

IV. Results and Discussion

4.1. Major Events and Characters in Rizal's Life

The film is generally chronological, following the events of Rizal's childhood to the day of his
execution. It portrays major events of his life, most of which include:

 Early Life and Education: The movie shows Rizal's childhood in Calamba, his education
at the Ateneo de Manila, and his studies in Europe (Spain, Germany, France). It reveals
his intellectual development, his exposure to liberal ideas, and his growing awareness of
the injustices of Spanish colonial rule.
 Literary Works: The film comprises mainly scenes from Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo. He interweaves these novel scenes with scenes in his real life.
Those black-and-white sequences perfectly project the oppressive realities he put forth
in his writings, thereby highlighting how connected his fictional narratives are with
historical context of Spanish rule.
 Political activism: The movie describes the engagement of Rizal with the Propaganda
Movement, his plea for reforms, and his attempt to arouse Filipinos to fight for their
rights and duties. He engaged with the Spanish officials, attempted to negotiate with the
colonial government, and gradually lost interest in the unwillingness of Spanish
authorities to address the needs of the Filipino people.
 Detention and Execution: Rizal was arrested, imprisoned in Fort Santiago, and was
executed by firing squad in December 1896. The film reconstructs the circumstances of
his arrest, some accusations brought against him, as well as the political atmosphere
leading up to his execution.

4.2. Story Pattern and Focus

The movie focuses on three significant issues:

 Love: This movie shows the love interests of Rizal, how he loved Josephine Bracken, and
how this really affected his life. It also shows the part that love and family played in
molding his identity and ultimately motivated him to fight for the liberation of his
people.
 Religion : Throughout the movie, religion had depicted to be a fragile constituent of
Rizal's life. During the Spanish colonial regime, there had been many cases of hypocrisy
and oppression perpetrated in the name of religion. This describes how the religious
structure changed in Rizal, how he faced the might of the Church, and how the latter
used to support colonial oppression.
  Justice: It is one of the very timely themes of Rizal's fight against oppression and his
plea for reform. The film portrayed the sticking commitment that he had for justice with
the people, despite all the danger and even persecution.

4.3. Impact and Legacy

Although Jose Rizal is replete with historical inaccuracies, it remains a pivotal film in Philippine
cinema. The length at which it describes Rizal's life and the wrongs he fought against continues
to impact the way Filipinos remember their national hero. Through accessibility and emotional
resonance, it has been a strong pedagogical tool in disseminating the message of the life of
Rizal to future generations.

This makes visual storytelling more realistic as scenes of the films by Rizal help tell the socio-
political realities at that time, including the power literature can offer to make change socially.
This climactic moment with Rizal's execution would always stand out in cinemas.

4.4 Characters Involved In Conflict

The table will give a more detailed study of the various conflicts experienced in the movie "José
Rizal." These conflicts fall into the three categories; Man vs. Man, Man vs. Society, and Man vs.
Himself. By categorizing, this will give a closer understanding on the various dimensions that
Jose Rizal experiences throughout his story.

Table 4.4.a. Man vs Man Conflict

Character/s Theme Passage

Jose Rizal, Oppression and Rizal's writings, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El
Spanish Resitance Filibusterismo, are met with censorship and persecution by
Authorities the Spanish authorities. He is accused of sedition and faces
imprisonment for his outspoken criticism of colonial rule.

Jose Rizal, Religious Father Dámaso, a corrupt priest, represents the hypocrisy
Father Hypocrisy and and abuse within the Catholic Church during the Spanish
Dámaso Abuse colonial period. He is shown as a powerful figure who uses
his position to oppress the Filipino people. Rizal challenges
his authority and exposes his hipocrisy through his writings.
Jose Rizal, Political Rizal's attempts to negotiate with Spanish officials for
Spanish Disillusionment reform are met with resistance and indifference. He
Officials becomes increasingly desillusioned with the Spanish
Government's unwilling to address the grievances of the
Filipino people.

Jose Rizal, Duty and Rizal feels a deep sense of duty to his people and a
Filipino Responsibility responsibility to fight for their freedom. He is shown as a
People man who is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the
good of his own country.

Jose Rizal, Love vs Duty Rizal's love for Josephine is complicated by his political
Josephine struggles and his commitment to his country. He is forced
Bracken to make difficult choices, balancing his desire for personal
happiness with the needs of his people.

This table shows This category is on personal conflicts Rizal faces, with each embodying
wider societal issues and power dynamics. Majorly, his struggle with the Spanish Authorities
best pictures the struggle between the colonized and the colonizer, typifying the oppression
and injustice upon the Filipino people. Third, the conflict of Rizal with Father Dámaso is a
manifestation and exposure of hypocrisy and exploitation within the powerful Catholic
Institution that was one of the pillars in maintaining colonial governance. The table also
exposes Rizal's Conflicts with Spanish Officials when he tries to change what is wrong through
peaceful activities, and his conflict with the Filipino People, expressing his sense of duty as well
as responsibility to galvanize social change among the people. Lastly, the conflict between Rizal
and Josephine Bracken represents the personal sacrifices he makes for his country, which
shows complexity in love and duty.

Table 4.4.b. Man Vs Society Conflict

Character/s Theme Passage

Jose Rizal, Regime Rizal's entire life is marked by the injustices of Spanish colonial
Spanish Colonial rule. He witnesses the oppression of his people, the corruption
Colonial Oppression of the Spanish officials, and the abuse of the power by the
Regime Church. He dedicates his life to fighting against these injustices.

Jose Rizal, Social Rizal seeks to awaken his people to their rights and
Filipino Change responsibilities, urging them to fight for their freedom and a
Society just society. He challenges the existing social order and inspires
a sense of national conciousness among Filipinos.

This table addresses the battles of Rizal with oppressive systems and structures defining his
life. In the film, Rizal vs. Spanish Colonial Regime, it presents wider systemic oppression by
Filipinos and the call to rise and liberate for freedom and self-governance. His battle, though,
against Filipino Society echoes his idealistic notion that his people be informed or awakened of
their rights as well as duties to pursue for a better future.

Table 4.4.c. Man Vs Himself Conflict

Character/s Theme Passage

JoseRizal Internal Rizal is shown as a man who is torn between his desire for
Struggle personal happiness and his sense of duty to his country. He
grapples with the complexities of his indentity, his love for
Josephine, and to his commitment to his people

Jose Rizal Religious Rizal's religious beliefs are challenged by the hypocrisy and
Doubt abuse he witnesses within the Catholic Church. He questioned
the church authority and its role in perpetuating colonial
oppression.

This table discusses the internal conflicts of Rizal, which prove to be complex in terms of his
identity and his commitment to his people. This category explores the internal conflicts
between his personal happiness and sense of duty to his country, and how he sacrificed for his
ideals. His changing religious beliefs, with the hypocrisy and abuse he witnessed in the Church,
reveal an internal struggle between faith and spirituality.
 This detailed construction of tables provides the framework for the analysis of the complex
narrative of "José Rizal," as told in the table, and gives one a deeper appreciation of the
protagonist's struggles, his commitment to ideals that never wavered, and his legacy as a
national hero.

V. Conclusion

A multifaceted cinematic portrayal of the national hero, Jose Rizal is an attempt by Marilou
Diaz-Abaya at an elaborate and intricate cinematic endeavor. It captured the spirit of Rizal's life
and fight for reform, but in terms of historical accuracy, it's not without flaw. Therefore, the
artistic choices in the film-the dramatization of some events, omission of certain perspectives-
could call for a critical approach to its interpretation. Nevertheless, it has a significant impact on
Philippine culture and acts as a tool in the finding of Rizal's contribution to society by the public.

The film reminds one to be very critical of historical stories even those told on screen with the
power of huge and evocative cinema. Further research into primary historical sources is pivotal
to fully understand Rizal's life as well as the Philippine Revolution.

VI. References

1. Grunes, J. (2008, February 8). Jose Rizal (Marilou Diaz-Abaya, 1998). Grunes' Blog. Retrieved
from https://grunes.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/jose-rizal-marilou-diaz-abaya-1998/
2. Studocu. (n.d.). Jose Rizal by Marilou Diaz-Abaya. Retrieved from
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/cotabato-state-university/histology/jose-rizal-by-
marilou-diaz-abaya/41326772

3. Graduateway. (n.d.). Movie Review: Jose Rizal by Marilou Diaz-Abaya. Retrieved from
https://graduateway.com/movie-review-jose-rizal-by-marilou-diaz-abaya/

4. Course Hero. (n.d.). JOSE RIZAL GMA FILM Reflection Paper. Retrieved from
https://www.coursehero.com/file/116042044/JOSE-RIZAL-GMA-FILM-Reflection-Paperdocx/

VII. Brief Summary of the Movie

Marilou Diaz-Abaya's 1998 film "Jose Rizal" is a cinematic portrayal of the Philippine national
hero's life, from his childhood to his execution. While aiming for historical accuracy, the film
takes creative liberties, sparking discussions about its narrative choices and impact. The film
highlights key events like Rizal's education, his writings, his political activism, and his
imprisonment. It emphasizes themes of love, religion, and justice, showcasing Rizal's fight
against oppression and his advocacy for reform. Despite some historical inaccuracies, the film
has had a lasting impact on Philippine culture, educating generations about Rizal's legacy and
the power of literature for social change. The film's emotional climax, depicting Rizal's
execution, remains a powerful cinematic moment. However, critical engagement with the film
is necessary, considering its artistic choices and potential biases. Further research into primary
historical sources is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of Rizal's life and the
complexities of the Philippine Revolution.