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Life Sentence

Original title: Cadena perpetua
  • 1979
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
428
YOUR RATING
Life Sentence (1979)
CrimeDramaThriller

A former felon is blackmailed by a corrupt policeman and forced to commit a crime.A former felon is blackmailed by a corrupt policeman and forced to commit a crime.A former felon is blackmailed by a corrupt policeman and forced to commit a crime.

  • Director
    • Arturo Ripstein
  • Writers
    • Vicente Leñero
    • Arturo Ripstein
    • Luis Spota
  • Stars
    • Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
    • Narciso Busquets
    • Ernesto Gómez Cruz
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    428
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Arturo Ripstein
    • Writers
      • Vicente Leñero
      • Arturo Ripstein
      • Luis Spota
    • Stars
      • Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
      • Narciso Busquets
      • Ernesto Gómez Cruz
    • 2User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 2 nominations

    Photos

    Pedro Armendáriz Jr. and Ernesto Gómez Cruz in Life Sentence (1979)
    Pedro Armendáriz Jr. in Life Sentence (1979)
    Pedro Armendáriz Jr. and Ernesto Gómez Cruz in Life Sentence (1979)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
    Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
    • Javier Lira; El Tarzan
    Narciso Busquets
    Narciso Busquets
    • Comandante Prieto
    Ernesto Gómez Cruz
    Ernesto Gómez Cruz
    • Cabo Pantoja
    Angélica Chain
    • Rosa Martinez
    Ana Ofelia Murguía
    • Sra Romero
    Roberto Cobo
    Roberto Cobo
    • Gallito
    Rodrigo Puebla
    • Cotorra
    Yolanda Rigel
    • Ojitos
    Jorge Patiño
    • Muclan
    Pilar Pellicer
    Pilar Pellicer
    • Mujer de Pantoja
    Ana Martín
    Ana Martín
    • Criada
    Ramón Menéndez
    Ramón Menéndez
    • Empleado del banco
    Julián Pastor
    Yaco Alva
    Salvador Garcini
    Salvador Garcini
    Antonio Bravo
    • Sr. Romero
    Roberto Dumont
    León Singer
    León Singer
    • Director
      • Arturo Ripstein
    • Writers
      • Vicente Leñero
      • Arturo Ripstein
      • Luis Spota(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews2

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Mexican cinema maestro Arturo Ripstein shows why it is difficult for a reformed person to make progress in life.
    Every human being deserves a chance to progress in life despite having had a shady past. This is the reason why many religions state that one should hate the sin and not the sinner. It is on this belief that Arturo Ripstein, Mexican cinema's greatest director has directed one of his important films "Cadena Perpetua". It can be translated as 'life imprisonment' but it is more than a simple life imprisonment as this film's protagonist Tarzan, a former thief finds himself at difficult crossroads when some corrupt policemen make their way in his life in order to disturb it. A reformed person might feel himself under the influence of being perpetually tied to chains if somebody forces him to abandon the life of goodness for a life of evil. It is often said that Ripstein's films are difficult for Mexican people to watch as he truthfully shows what is wrong with the losers who have given a bad name to Mexico. In "Cadena Perpetua", Ripstein directs his anger at corrupt police forces who seem to have prevailed in Mexico. Lastly, 'Cadena Perpetua' is an interesting film to watch as it does not propose easy solutions to problems faced by a reformed person. It is also important especially in the manner it has researched the past of a reformed criminal.
    helpful•3
    3
    • FilmCriticLalitRao
    • Oct 1, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 9, 1979 (Mexico)
    • Country of origin
      • Mexico
    • Language
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Cadena perpetua
    • Filming locations
      • Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico
    • Production companies
      • Corporación Nacional Cinematográfica (CONACINE)
      • Avant Films S.A.
      • Dasa Films S.A.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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