Eva Peron: The True Story (1996)
"Eva Perón" (original title)

Drama based on the life of Eva Peron, an obscure actress, who rose to become wife of Argentine strong-man President Juan Peron and one of the most powerful figures in Argentina until her death in 1952 at age 33.

Director:

Juan Carlos Desanzo

Writer:

José Pablo Feinmann

Stars:

Esther Goris, Víctor Laplace, Cristina Banegas

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Esther Goris	...	Eva Duarte Perón
Víctor Laplace	...	Juan Perón
Cristina Banegas	...	Juana de Ibarbuen
Pepe Novoa	...	Lucero
Irma Córdoba	...	Marguarita Achaval Junco
Lorenzo Quinteros	...	Lonardi
Tony Vilas
Jorge Petraglia
Enrique Liporace
Tony Lestingi
Leandro Regúnaga	...	Espejo
Fernando Sureda
Danilo Devizzia	...	Enrique Santos Discépolo
Carlos Roffé	...	Solari
Jean Pierre Reguerraz

Storyline

Drama based on the life of Eva Peron, an obscure actress, who rose to become wife of Argentine strong-man President Juan Peron and one of the most powerful figures in Argentina until her death in 1952 at age 33.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title

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Taglines:

Argentina's own image of Evita.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Argentina

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

18 December 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eva Peron: The True Story

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aleph Producciones S.A., Instituto Nacional de Cine y Artes Audiovisuales (INCAA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Argentina's official selection for the 1996 Oscar Awards, Foreign Language film category.

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Connections

Version of Mother (1973)

User Reviews

Evita is immortalized yet again.

This Argentine feature was release around the same time as Alan Parker's film version of the hit musical "Evita". For those interested in learning about Argentina's controversial first lady, I recommend both films. Desanzo's version is lower-budget and therefore not as spectacular as Parker's interpretation, but "Eva Peron" is a lot more historically accurate and fair in it's treatment of Evita.

The film deals with the final stages of Eva Peron's life. It chronicles her bid for the vice-presidency and her illness in detail. Several other stages of Eva Peron's life are also touched upon by the use of flashbacks.

My only (minor) complaints lie with Esther Goris. Admittingly, she does resemble Evita during her final stages but when playing the younger Eva Duarte de Peron, Goris doesn't even come close. All one has to do is look at the hundreds of photo's of Eva Peron pre-1950 (before her disease) and one will be able to see the extraordinary differences in physical appearance. The real Eva's beauty was more radiant, her hair more elaborate and her body was more voluptuous. Goris is too thin, to abrasive to portray the young Evita during her earlier years as the First Lady. I usually have difficulties watching a bio-film when the leading actor does not resemble the person they are portraying. I had a similar problem with Leonardo DiCaprio portraying Howard Hughes in "The Aviator".

Goris's voice and personality are also too authoritative and at times, over-bearing. Granted, the real Eva Peron, according to many, was just that and Eva's voice was shrill when giving her impassioned speeches on the balcony of the Casa Rosada but during her less intense speeches such as speaking to her Descamisados over the radio, her voice was calm and peaceful and according to those who knew her best, she also had a sweet and gentle side to her. That's not really seen in this film. Eva Peron was a diamond with some rough edges, Goris is just rough around the edges.

Now that I got that out of the way, Goris does capture Evita's essence physically and vocally since, for the most part, she is portraying her during her final years and I will frankly state that her performance is moving. Like Madonna in Parker's film, Goris became Eva Peron and her passion for the role is clearly evident in her performance.

Those thinking that this Argentine version will portray Eva as a saintly deity will be quite shocked. This interpretation portrays an Eva Peron who liked to wear nice clothes and hats but had the will of a survivor. A young, strong woman who talked the talk and walked the walk and was able to change an entire nation forever due to her overwhelming fire and passion. This is a much tougher Evita than in Parker's film.

Despite my above comments, Esther Goris is outstanding in her portrayal and the production as a whole is excellent. Considering the tremendous amount of MIS-INFORMATION about the real Eva Peron on film: "Little Mother", "Evita Peron" with Faye Dunaway and even the rock opera, this film is a blessing. And for those, like me, who are thirsty for the truth, we finally have a film that is pretty accurate historically and unbiased in it's treatment of it's leading lady and her legacy.

7.5 out of 10.