The Soldiers of Pancho Villa

Plot

When the Mexican Revolution was exploding, there was a woman who made history, her name was "La Cucaracha" (María Félix). Her great passion was the Revolution, but her downfall was a man: Colonel Antonio Zeta (Emilio Fernández), who has eyes for another woman, Isabel, the widow (Dolores del Río). The rivalry between both women explodes.

Cast

Release

La Cucaracha premiered at the Robles and Ariel theaters in Mexico City on November 12, 1959 for five weeks. It premiered in the United States at New York City's Tivoli Theatre on November 1, 1961.

Critical reception

Howard Thompson of The New York Times gave La Cucaracha a positive review by writing: "Although the film never rises in stature above its melodramatic plane and romantic embellishments, it is well acted, crisply directed by producer Ismael Rodríguez and graphically photographed by Gabriel Figueroa... Both Señorita Félix, as the amoral spitfire, and Señorita Del Río, as her aristocratic adversary, are persuasively passionate. Señor Fernández, as their manly quarry, is excellent. Even minus real depth, there is much to be said for a melodramatic eye-filler as tough and tangy as this one. Neighbors below, let's have more."