GERPH01X

MIDTERM EXAM
MOVIE ANALYSIS

Siasico, John Michael A.

Arc 202
Bs Architecture

Sir. Janflor Mc.Louie S. Ullero

Heneral Luna Film Analysis

Part 1: Synopsis

- The revolutionary army's commander, General Antonio Luna (John Arcilla), is itching
for a confrontation. The Philippines, after three centuries as a Spanish colony, must
now contend with a new foreign power: the United States of America. General Luna
wants to fight for freedom, while the ruling class wants to reach an agreement with
the Americans. The new administration is riven with infighting, but General Luna and
his faithful men press on, despite the fact that his military decisions are greeted with
opposition from soldiers who are only loyal to President Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado).
When a group of presidential guards assassinates him in broad sight, it is the general's
famous fury and pride that brings him to his death.

Part 2: Analysis of the Film

Guide Questions:

1. Characterize the following:

1.1 Heneral Luna

- Heneral Antonio Luna (29 October 1866 - 5 June 1899) served in the
Philippine–American War as a Filipino army general. He is a brave leader of the
Philippine soldiers.

1.2 Emilio Aguinaldo

- Emilio Aguinaldo is the president during the war in the Philippines against America.
Well based on the film Heneral Luna, he is confused about his decisions to lead the
Philippines with the war against America.

1.3 Gen. Tomas Mercado

- Tomás Echenique Mascardo (October 9, 1871 – July 7, 1932) was a Filipino general
during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine–American War. Since the
beginning of the revolution, he has been fighting the Spaniards. From 1910 to 1912,
he served as the governor of Cavite for a single term. He seems so lazy and always
disobeys Heneral Luna’s commands to cooperate in war. The two generals (gen. Luna,
Gen. Mercado) acted like a child in fighting each other while the war against America
is ongoing.

1.4 Felipe Buencamino

- Felipe Buencamino was a Filipino lawyer and politician. He always has an augment to
general luna. He sees the American consolidation as a benefit for the country’s
development through America’s knowledge. General lunas hated him because he is
too scared to die for his country.
1.5 Pedro Paterno

- Played by Leo Martirez. Pedro Alejandro Paterno y de Vera Ignacio was a Filipino
politician who was well-known for betraying his country. He was also a novelist and
poet.

1.6 Col. Fancisco “Paco” Roman

- Paco is one of the most trusted, and loyal soldiers to Gen. Luna. he died alongside
general luna.

1.7 Joven

- Joven Hernando was a young student who had a chance to document the story of the
war between Filipinos and Americans. He was a writer, journalist, and narrated
General Luna’s life.

1.8 Kapt. Eduardo Rusca

- Like paco, he was also loyal and trustworthy for General luna. He was he survived
and surrendered to a philippine soldier, unlike general luna and paco. He helped Joven
when Joven almost died in the mountains with Goyo (Gregorio del pilar).

2. Give three favorite scenes and explain why?

- 1. The confrontation between Heneral luna and Heneral tomas mascardo. In this
scene, we will see how brave and smart heneral luna was.
- 2. Heneral luna’s death charge to american army alone. In this scene, Heneral luna
shows us what is lie to be a real General and a leader is.
- 3. Heneral luna’s death. That scene really shocked me and make me realize that no
one can be trusted, even your own ally can be your worst enemy.

3. What do you think is the most applaudable about the film?

- The whole film itself, it delivers history look so natural.

4. “Heroes are also human.” Explain as shown in the film.

- Heroes can also make mistakes, die, and be weak sometimes because deep all of the
good things people see to heroes, they are human too.

5. Analyze the following scenes:

5.1 Joven being shot and his hand and ear were stricken. (symbolism)

Why do you think Luna was so affected and why was he protecting Joven? How important is
Joven’s character?

- The story and the history of our country is in joven’s hand and should be told to the
next generation and give us realization.
5.2 Death ofLuna

- Our own enemy is ourselves

6. Realizations:

6.1 Give Political problems at that time that are apparent today

- Poor making of decisions.

6.2 Why do the same societal ills continue to plague us until now? And what are we doing
about it?

- We don't face our main problems and instead, we make ourselves even worst.

6.3 Who are we as a nation?

- As a nation, we should be as one, but we continue our mistakes up until now from the
time of heneral luna were we don’t help each other to solve our crisis.

6.4 Heneral Luna’s message for you.

- For me, the film told me that if I want to make myself better, I should do it by myself
and not rely on others.

6.5 Interpret “HINDI MAGTATAGAL, TAYO’Y MAGIGING NAG-AALIMPUYONG

ALABOK NA LAMANG, TAYO’Y MGA DALUYONG NG PAG-ASA’T PAGBABAGO.
TAYO’Y FILIPINO.”

- We are Filipino, We are full of hope and braveness, we will be greater before we fall
to dust.

(We are not according to the question at the end of the film- “just dust that turns fiery, we are
waves of hope and change. We are Filipino.”)

7. What are your favorite Heneral Luna’s quotes? (at least 3)

- “NEGOSYO O KALAYAAN? BAYAN O SARILI? PUMILI KA!” most Filipinos

turn back on our beloved country just for their own sake. In that line, heneral luna
proves that his love for the country was worth dying for.
- “MGA KAPATID, MAYROON TAYONG MAS MALAKING KAAWAY KAYSA
MGA AMARIKANO. ANF ATING SARILI” Heneral luna knew that his fight will be
more impossible knowing that his own many filipinos are traitor but he still fight for
the sake of our country and for all filipinos.
- “PARA KAYONG MGA BIRHENG NANINIWALA SA PAG-IBIG NG ISA
PUTA!” this line describes the badside of filipinos admiring other higher countries
that are actually just using us for ther own sake.
8. Identify scenes which are fact and are fiction. (3 each). Justify your answer.

Fact

- The death of heneral luna in the hands of Philippine soldiers.

- Heneral Luna was good at playing guitar.
- Heneral luna being dragged and full of blood after he died. Inpired by his brother
Antonio luna’s painting SPOLIARIUM.

Fictional

- Jovel Hernando does not really exist.

- Joven being shot in his hand by enemy
- The interview between general luna and Joven