Merolliv
I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
Desertman84
"Oro,Plata,Mata" a.k.a Gold,Silver,Death is made by Filipino multi- talented filmmaker Peque Gallaga that tells the story about how two prominent families located in Negros province cope up with World War II in the Philippines and the changes that transpired among the characters amid this period. It features an talented cast of Filipino thespians that stars Cherie Gil,Sandy Andolong,Joel Torre together with its co-stars Liza Lorena,Manny Ojeda,Maya Valdez,Lorli Villanueva and Ronnie Lazaro. The screenplay written by director Peque Gallaga together Mario Taguiwalo and Conchita Castillo presents to us three different periods that can be accurately described based from the title of the film. Oro or Gold refers to the period of prominence that the prominent families - Ojeda family and Lorenzo family - are experiencing.The joy,happiness and excitement felt by the family members at the party celebration was main focus in it.The Ojedas provided the party in their luxurious mansion.Aside from that,naivete also a major theme in it especially as we witness Trinidad "Trining" Ojeda gets her first kiss from Miguel Lorenzo.Also,we witness Miguel being teased for not participating in the war as a soldier due to having a protective mother.Aside from that,then viewers are also being introduced to a young and innocent Margarita "Maggie" Ojeda.This part ends during the outbreak of the Second World War when they all received the news that the SS Corregidor has sunk.Plata or Silver refers to the next period presented when the Ojeda family move away from the war and goes to the house of the Lorenzos. The Ojedas still experience luxury despite the fact that they are no faster than expected from being naive individuals into matured adults.It ends when the Americans surrendered to the Japanese in the Philippines and the forces from Japan land into Negros.Then the Mata or Death period starts a period of bad luck for both Ojeda and Lorenzo family.This time,we get to see war progresses that both families move from their big mansions into the forests and mountains exposed to the Filipino guerillas and victimized by the Filipino bandits. A lot of changes take place especially into the maturity of the characters.Trining loses her virginity and turns into a sexual predator.Miguel starts to grow into manhood starts helping the cause of the Filipino guerillas. Maggie starts to become dismayed with Trining's flirtation and pities Miguel which makes him fall for him in the process.The movie concludes with the end of the war and a party with the announcement of Maggie and Miguel's betrothal.Finally, I was fortunate enough to see it after getting a copy of its restored vision on a DVD.I have always heard what a Filipino film classic this is for more than the last thirty years.Most of those who have seen it verified that it was and truly a landmark in Philippine cinema.It was even considered one of the best Filipino films not only in the 1980's as well as in Philippine cinema if not the best.There are a lot of positive things I could say about it. The story was a wonderful story that as we witness how two families were affected by the war.The character development that have transpired and the struggles experienced by both Ojeda and Lorenzo families provides a wonderful story that would make it definitely worth the view.The performances of the cast was also commendable.Special mention are Cherie Gil,Sandy Andolong,Liza Lorena,Maya Valdes and most especially Joel Torre,who is making his film debut.Also,I must say that Peque Gallaga and his co-writers did a solid screenplay that explores a variety of themes such as effects of war among individuals;survival during war;the disappearance of the class struggle between the rich and the poor in times of war; and the Filipino way of life.Overall,we have a movie that combines elements of action,drama and comedy. In spite of the reasons I have mentioned,too bad that I saw it thirty-five years too late to classify it as as classic. One thing about it there are an abundance of characters in the screenplay.It definitely dragged in many parts as the pacing and the progress of the story was slow.It was revealed that this film was initially five hours but cut down into three hours to be theatrically released.But in spite of that,the development of the story remained painfully slow. Had the focus been mainly on Trining,Miguel and Maggie,the running time of the film would have been shorter.In addition to that,we also find a lot of sex scenes that were to long and some felt unnecessary. Being considered an Filipino experimental film back in 1982,these graphic sex scenes are part of the appeal of this movie in the Philippines.Too bad that seeing it more than thirty years after it was released,I felt sex scenes that involved half-naked people like Hermes and Trining are boring.Aside from that,the violent action scenes in the concluding part involving Miguel and Hermes against the Filipino bandits felt too long as well.In summary,I would still consider it a great Filipino film that I would give it the highest rating but no longer a classic.
colpic1920
Oro Plata Mata is regarded as one of the best films in Philippine Cinema. It won best picture in Gawad Urian, probably the most prestigious award giving body in the Philippines.I was disappointed when I finally saw it the other day. Sure, it has its positive points (ie the Tulisan invading the house was superbly executed). The acting, OK, even excellent (Abbo Dela Cruz and Mitch Vadez were superb. Should've gotten acting awards). However, below are some of my negative comments about the film:1. The Godfather-ish plot line in Joel Torre's character not to mention the opening "party" scene. 2. Gone with the Wind scenes in the early part of the film (when they escaped from the Hacienda). 3. Miguelito, a weakling, was able to pulverise around 10 or so hardened, roothless Tulisans. BTW, I thought he has a heart condition? 4. The worst. Hermes doing a "Rambo".A classic? Maybe for some but not for me.
madreinman
Oro, Plata, Mata is one of the best films directed by Peque Gallaga. It is considered as one of the films that most likely to be a masterpiece in the Philippines.It tells the story of a family who is scared to be involved in the war and decided to go to the woods in which they have created huts and rooms for their family but as the longer they stay there the nearer they get to danger.Acting and directing were superb and originally the movie's running time was 5 hours so they are a lot of scenes cut to shorten it. I would recommend this film to people starting to appreciate Asian or Filipino movies from the 80's because it is a landmark in film making history.
