Doña Bárbara

This is a film not to be missed. The title role is arguably the greatest female character in Latin American literature. And Maria Felix? ...Such a supreme screen goddess in Latin American cinema, I can't think of an English-speaking equivalent.

For a Mexican particularly, to see Dona Barbara brought to life by the legendary Maria Felix is like an Anglo having seen Sarah Bernhard in her best role, I suppose. Felix and her films are still very popular, even in distant Brazil, a Latin cousin to Mexico (we speak Portuguese). This film and other Felix films, along with those of the Classic Golden Period of Mexican Cinema (to which this movie belongs) are shown in restrospectives in Rio, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires quite frequently.

DONA BARBARA is a Pan-Latin American story, and female character. She could be Mexican, Brazilian, Argentinian,...well the novel was written by Venezuela's greatest novelist, so....Venezuelan or Colombian too. And similarly, Felix is the all-Latin American actress, an unsurpassed talent standard, against whom all other great Latin actresses aspire to be compared against.

Look, the film is simply wonderful, even without the double treat of Felix and Dona Barbara. I saw a video copy of it at a Florida public library's video section, so there may be a copy near you. look for it. It is a true classic featuring two classics!