Movie Analysis on the movie Entitled, “Heneral Luna”

Submitted by: Syd Christine Necesito Calvo

Submitted to: Mr. Jonard A. Benosa
I. The Characters
Major Characters:
 General Antonio Luna-was born on October 29, 1866. He was a Filipino
army who fought in the Filipino American War before his assassination in
1899.He also a Commanding General of the Philippine Revolutionary
Army.
-the valiant and volcanic Filipino general who was a major force in the
Philippine fight for freedom and independence
 President Emilio Aguinaldo-was the first and the youngest President of
the Republic of the Philippines and to Constitutional Republic in Asia who
served from 20 January 1899-1 April 1901. He was also a Filipino general,
politician, and rebel leader.
 Prime Minister Apolinario Mabini-was a Filipino revolutionary leader,
educator, lawyer, and statesman who served first as a legal and
constitutional adviser to the Revolutionary Government, and then as the
first Prime Minister of the Philippines upon establishment of the First
Philippine Republic. He is regarded as the “utak ng himagsikan” or “brain
of the revolution” and is also considered as a national hero the Philippines.
 General Jose Alejandrino-was a Philippine Republican Army General
during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine American War. He is
also a Senator of the Philippines from the 12th district.
 Felipe Buencamino Sr.-was an infamous turncoat, Filipino lawyer, and
politician. Member of the Malolos Congress from Zamboanga.
 Pedro Paterno- was a Filipino politician, infamous for being a turncoat.
He was also a poet and a novelist. President of the National Assembly
(1899).
 Col. Fracncisco “Paco” Roman-was a Filipino-Spanish soldier and later
became a revolutionary during Philippine Revolution and Philippine-
American War.
 Major Manuel Bernal- was a Spanish-mestizo, was originally part the
Royal Armed Forces of Spain. He also was helping General Luna as he
was planning to build a huge trench and fortifications along Bagbag.
 Captain Jose Bernal- his brother Maj. Manuel Bernal and him were both
aides/security escorts to Gen. Antonio Luna.
 Captain Eduardo Rusca-one of Gen. Antonio Luna’s loyal men. Rusca,
unafraid of these tin soldiers because he is a man whose nerves are of steel
forged in the fires of war, he is a man who laughs in the face of death.
Rusca on the trenches, eating and moving freely and telling jokes because
he is at ease in this environment.
 Lt. Garcia- one of the favorite sharpshooters of the Black Guard Units of
Gen. Antonio Luna.
  General Tomas Mascardo-was a Filipino General during the Philippine
Revolution and Philippine-American War. He is also a Filipino teacher,
revolutionary and a commanding officer during the Philippine-American
War.

Minor Characters:
 General Arthur MacArthur Jr.-was a lieutenant general of the United
States Army. He became the military Governor-General of the American-
occupied Philippines in 1900; his term ended a year later due to clashes
with the civilian governor, future-U.S. President William Howard Taft.
 Major General Elwell Otis-was a United States Army General who
served in the American Civil War, Indians Wars, and the Philippines late
in the Spanish-American War and during the Philippine-American War.
He also a 2nd American Military Governor of the Philippines.
 Major General Wesley Merritt- was an American major general who
served in the cavalry of the United States army during the American Civil
War, American War, Indian War, and Spanish-American War. He is also
the 1st American Military Governor of the Philippines.
 Laurena Luna-she was the mother of General Antonio Luna.
 Juan Luna-General Antonio Luna’s brother.
 Trinidad Aguinaldo-she was the mother of President Emilio Aguinaldo.
She was known as “Kapitana Teneng”.
 Don Joaquin Luna de San Pedro-was a Filipino revolutionary and
politician. Senator of the Philippines from the 12th district. He is also the
brother of General Antonio Luna.
 Jose Rizal- was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the
crime of rebellion after the Philippine Revolution broke out; it was
inspired by his writings.
 Andres Bonifacio- was a Filipino Freemason and revolutionary leader. He
often called “The Father of the Philippine Revolution”. One of the
Philippine Heroes of the Philippines. He is also an unofficial President of
the Sovereign Tagalog Nation.
 Procopio Bonifacio- was a Filipino independence activist and
revolutionary during the Philippine Revolution of 1896 against Spain. He
is the eldest brother of Andres Bonifacio.
 Col. Vicente Enriquez-known for being one of the survivors of the battle
of Tirad Pass, Vicente is set to share his side of the story in the movie. He
is also a younger brother of Anacleto Enriquez.
 Joven Hernando-was a student and young patriot who idolized General
Luna. He also a writer and narrator of General Antonio Luna’s life.
 Isabel-she is the girlfriend of General Antonio Luna in the movie. She is
the member of the Red Cross (Cruz Roja), and a member of a recognized
and affluent family.
II. Synopsis:
Heneral Luna is set in 1898 after the end of the Spanish colonial rule, following
the Philippine revolution. The Filipinos are ready to become a self-ruled nation
but conflict among the Filipino cabinet arises when American forces appear in the
country.
Unknown to the Filipinos, Spain has signed the Treaty of Paris with America after
losing the Spanish-American War. In the treaty, Spain relinquishes its territories
to America, including the Philippine archipelago for 20 million dollars.
The Philippine’s military leader General Antonio Luna (John Arcilla) argues that
they should kick out the Americans and continue the revolution of the Philippines
in becoming an independent nation. Other members of the Cabinet however argue
that it would help the country grow economically if the Philippines becomes an
American protectorate.
III. Strength of the movie:
Heneral Luna movie showed the strength as an excellent tactical military man, his
good leadership, his passionate love for our country- all the qualities of an
admirable national hero.
IV. Weakness of the movie:
Heneral Luna was also infamous for his very short temper, brashness, pride, and
impatience for “pasaway” subordinates. Ultimately, it led to his undoing.
V. What do you think is the relevance of the movie in the history?
The relevance of the movie in the history it’s educate about the Filipino’s fight
against imperial rule in their country. General Luna is a symbol of patriotism and
fights passionately for the liberation of his country from imperialism.
VI. The Overall Evaluation:
All in all, I will rate Heneral Luna (2015 Movie) with the average score which 7
because this movie is not only entertains but also educates who can watch this movie. In
this movie showed the General strength as an excellent tactical military man, his good
leadership, his passionate love for our country. I’ll rate this movie 7 because I feels like
not watching movie; instead it feels like I am watching a slice of the Philippine History.
This movie showed the reality of the past. This movie made me feel proud to be a
Filipino.