Men with Guns (1997/II)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

John Sayles

Writer (WGA):

John Sayles (written by)

Release Date:

27 March 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Humberto Fuentes is a wealthy doctor whose wife has recently died. In spite of the advice of his children...

Plot Keywords:

Christ Figure | Aztec | Racial Tension | Jungle | Independent Film

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Federico Luppi	...	Dr. Fuentes
Damián Delgado	...	Domingo, the Soldier
Dan Rivera González	...	Conejo, the Boy
Tania Cruz	...	Graciela, the Mute Girl
Damián Alcázar	...	Padre Portillo, the Priest
Mandy Patinkin	...	Andrew
Kathryn Grody	...	Harriet
Iguandili López	...	Mother
Nandi Luna Ramírez	...	Daughter
Rafael de Quevedo	...	General
Carmen Madrid	...	Angela, Dr. Fuentes' Daughter
Esteban Soberanes	...	Raúl, Angela's Fiancé
Alejandro Springall	...	Carlos, Dr. Fuentes' Son
Maricruz Nájera	...	Rich Lady
Roberto Sosa	...	Bravo

Also Known As:

Hombres armados (USA: Spanish title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some violent images.

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish | Italian | English | Nahuatl | Maya | Tzotzil | Kuna

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | France:U | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Company:

Anarchist's Convention Films

Quotes:

[Why the "Men with Guns" killed the people.]
Blind Woman: Because they had guns, and we didn't.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Fiesta En Corraleja

A real shame no one saw it

Men with Guns is one of the finest films of the genre. It has legs- really stays with you, for years. The priest's story alone is brilliant filmmaking. I've been a great fan of John Sayles' work for many years, but I think this is both his most original and generally best work. The shame is that no one seems to have seen this film. I saw it 3X in theatres and there were never more than 5 people in the audience. MWG doesn't appeal to the short- attention-spaned sex-and-violence cravers. The history of 30 years of terrible civil war as close as Guatemala is something our children remain ignorant about. This incredible film puts that war into unique perspective. Sayles didn't seem to care if too many people saw it or not- subtitles alone guarantee a fringe audience confined to a few art houses. The film is not perfect- editing could be a little better; but what a story! The opening and closing scenes really work for me. I hope everyone reading these comments will go out and rent Men with Guns ASAP. Sayles at his best.