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IMDbPro

Alambrista!

  • 19771977
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
703
YOUR RATING
Alambrista! (1977)
  • Adventure
  • Drama
After the birth of his first child, Roberto, a young Mexican man slips across the border into the United States. Seeking work to support his family back home, he finds that working hard is n... Read allAfter the birth of his first child, Roberto, a young Mexican man slips across the border into the United States. Seeking work to support his family back home, he finds that working hard is not enough.After the birth of his first child, Roberto, a young Mexican man slips across the border into the United States. Seeking work to support his family back home, he finds that working hard is not enough.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
703
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert M. Young
  • Writer
    • Robert M. Young
  • Stars
    • Domingo Ambriz
    • Trinidad Silva
    • Linda Gillen
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert M. Young
  • Writer
    • Robert M. Young
  • Stars
    • Domingo Ambriz
    • Trinidad Silva
    • Linda Gillen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins

    Photos34

    A1 german movie poster - 59 x 84 cm or 23 x 33 inches - Baumann Graphik
    Alambrista! (1977)
    Domingo Ambriz in Alambrista! (1977)
    Domingo Ambriz, Ludevina Mendez Salazar, and Maria Guadalupe Chavez in Alambrista! (1977)
    Domingo Ambriz and Linda Gillen in Alambrista! (1977)
    Domingo Ambriz in Alambrista! (1977)
    Alambrista! (1977)
    Trinidad Silva in Alambrista! (1977)
    Domingo Ambriz and Ludevina Mendez Salazar in Alambrista! (1977)
    Paul Berrones and Trinidad Silva in Alambrista! (1977)
    Alambrista! (1977)
    Alambrista! (1977)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Domingo Ambriz
    • Roberto
    Trinidad Silva
    Trinidad Silva
    • Joe
    Linda Gillen
    Linda Gillen
    • Sharon
    Ned Beatty
    Ned Beatty
    • Anglo Coyote
    Jerry Hardin
    Jerry Hardin
    • Man in cafe
    Julius Harris
    Julius Harris
    • 2nd Drunk
    Ludevina Mendez Salazar
    • Roberto's Wife
    Maria Guadalupe Chavez
    • Roberto's Mother
    Rafaela Cervantes de Gomez
    • Midwife
    Feliz Cedano
    • Tomato Field Mayordomo
    Edward Lopez
    • Contratista
    Evelyn Chieko Saito
    • Strawberry Field Owner
    Tom Tar
    • Strawberry Field Owner
    Gabriel Segura
    • Strawberry Field Mayordomo
    Paul Berrones
    • Berto
    George Smith
    • Cook in Cafe
    Dennis Harris
    • Sharon's Brother
    Edward James Olmos
    Edward James Olmos
    • 1st Drunk
    • (as Edward Olmos)
    • Director
      • Robert M. Young
    • Writer
      • Robert M. Young
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Robert M. Young's first feature film.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema (2002)

    User reviews8

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    "Ham, Eggs, and Coffee"
    It's surprising how "Alambrista!" has slipped into near-total oblivion after being shown at Cannes and receiving some measure of admiration there. But it seems to have never enjoyed a release on VHS, and hasn't appeared on DVD until quite recently. It's a shame, because this film serves as a very piercing, close-up examination of the life of an illegal immigrant.

    Robert M. Young has made a number of daring and unusual films in his career, off-center stories with characters most people wouldn't notice. In "Short Eyes" it was a young pedophile in prison, and in "Dominick and Eugene" he focused on the everyday life of a mentally retarded man. Here, he takes a deep trip into the underbelly of American society, a side most of us will never come close to seeing. "Alambrista!" is a basic tale, one that Young penned himself (it was the only film he'd ever both write and direct). It's uncomplicated, but not untrue. There's a familiar 1970s documentary approach, up close and personal, and it serves things well. Also doing his own cinematography, Young is very much in on the action.

    Domingo Ambriz plays Roberto, a quiet and not entirely bright Mexican man. He's very kind, but completely innocent of cities and American life. It's a heartfelt performance, and it has to be. Everything hinges on his believability. Linda Gillen is very good as the waitress Sharon, also a rather innocent personality. The characters come almost secondary, because we don't get too far beneath their skin. This isn't an internal, mental film - it's a silent observation of things. Take a close look.
    helpful•6
    2
    • SteveSkafte
    • Mar 29, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 16, 1977 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • Spanish
      • English
    • Also known as
      • ¡Alambrista! - The Illegal
    • Filming locations
      • Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico
    • Production company
      • Filmhaus
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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