Viva Villa! (1934)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(212 ratings)

A far from factual filmed biography of Mexican patriot Pancho Villa, Viva Villa! was written by lengendary screenwriter Ben Hecht. We first meet the young Villa when his father is beaten to death after protesting Diaz' seizure of the Mexican peons' land. Pancho exacts a temporary revenge by knifing… More A far from factual filmed biography of Mexican patriot Pancho Villa, Viva Villa! was written by lengendary screenwriter Ben Hecht. We first meet the young Villa when his father is beaten to death after protesting Diaz' seizure of the Mexican peons' land. Pancho exacts a temporary revenge by knifing one of his father's killers, then heads for the hills, where he organizes a band of renegades. As he "matures," Pancho is played by child actor Phillip Cooper and adult star Wallace Beery. Though ruthless in his treatment of the rich, Pancho is a hero to the poor, who receive the spoils of Villa's raids. Befriended by American reporter Johnny Sykes (Stuart Erwin), Villa becomes internationally famous thanks to Sykes' articles concerning his exploits. Pancho also finds a strong ally in Don Felipe de Castillo (Donald Cook), who introduces the rebel bandit to Madero (Henry B. Walthall), the leader of the peon revolt. Madero convinces Villa to join forces with him, the better to oust the Diaz regime. His principal rival in this goal is ambitious General Pascal (Joseph Schildkraut), who intends to set up an even more despotic regime once Diaz is eliminated. Emerging victorious in his fight against the federales, Villa is encouraged to go back home by Madero. Illiterate and dangerously naïve, Villa quickly runs into trouble with the new government, giving Pascal a chance to humiliate his former "comrade in arms." Later, Pascal shows his true colors by assassinating Madero and assuming control of Mexico. Thirsting for revenge, Villa and his men go on a bloody rampage, culminiating in the ritualistic murder of the treacherous Pascal (he is staked out on an anthill and covered with honey). Made president of Mexico upon the elimination of Pacal, Villa once more finds himself in over his head. Unable to deal with political infighting, Villa retires to his ranch. One day, after running into his old friend Johnny Sykes (Stu Erwin), Villa is shot and mortally wounded by his onetime friend Don Felipe, who holds Pancho responsible for the death of his sister Teresa (Fay Wray). As he dies, Villa begs Johnny to tell him what his epitaph will be. Improvising quickly, Johnny tells of Villa's love for Mexico and his many accomplishments. Partially filmed on location in Mexico, Viva Villa was plagued with a multitude of production problems, not least of which was the diplomatic gaffe committed by Lee Tracy, the film's original Johnny Sykes: While standing on a balcony watching a military parade, an inebrieated Tracy relieved himself on the troops below and was immediately fired. Another crisis arose when the Mexican government objected to star Wallace Beery, on the grounds that Beery usually played villains or buffoons. Despite these and other setbacks, Viva Villa was finally completed under the assured directorial hand of MGM troubleshooter Jack Conway and the expert supervision of David O. Selznick. Though some critics objected to the film's violence, Viva Villa was a financial success. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Jack Conway, Howard Hawks
Written By: Ben Hecht
Genres: Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1934 Wide
On DVD: Feb 17, 1993

Critic Reviews

, Film4
A sparky Hecht screenplay enlivens this high-gloss western.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The life of the famous Mexican bandit and revolutionary is told in this exciting action drama.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It might be the hammy Beery's best movie role ever.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though Jack Conway gets creit, it's Howard Hawks who's responsible for this exciting biopic of the legendary revolutionary leader, well played by Wallace Beery, and one of MGM's biggest hits of 1934.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
In casting the homely Wallace Beery as one of the heroes of the Mexican Revolution, Hollywood announced its intentions: they weren't going to take it seriously.

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Cast

            Wallace Beery as Pancho Villa

            Leo Carrillo as Diego

            Fay Wray as Teresa

            Donald Cook as Don Felipe

            Joseph Schildkraut as Gen. Pascal

            George E. Stone as Chavito

            Stuart Erwin as Johnny Sykes

            Katherine De Mille as Rosita

            Frank Puglia as Villa's Father

            David Durand as Bugle Boy

            George Regas as Don Rodrigo

            Henry Armetta
            
            Mischa Auer as Military Attache

            Ralph Bushman as Calloway

            Shirley Chambers as Wrong Girl

            Emile Chautard as General

            Andre Cheron as French Reporter

            Steve Clemente
            
            Phillip Cooper as Villa as a Boy

            Harry Cording as Majordomo

            Nigel De Brulier as Judge

            Nick De Ruiz as Peons

            Carlos De Valdez as Old Man

            Sam Godfrey as Prosecuting Attorney

            Brandon Hurst
            
            Francis McDonald as Villa's Man

            Chris-Pin Martin
            
            Bob McKenzie as Bartender

            John Merkyl as Pascal's Aide

            Belle Mitchell as Wife

            Leonard Mudie as Statesman

            Herbert Prior
            
            Pedro Regas as Staff

            Charles Requa
            
            Tom Ricketts as Grandees

            Julian Rivero as Telegraph Operator

            Adrian Rosley
            
            Hector V. Sarno as Mendoza Brother

            Harry Semels as Soldier

            Paul Stanton as Newspaperman

            Charles Stevens
            
            Arthur Thalasso as Butcher

            Arthur Treacher as English Reporter

            Michael Visaroff as Russian Reporter

            William Von Brincken as German Reporter

            Henry B. Walthall as Madero

            H.B. Warner as Bit

            Leo White as Man

            Clarence H. Wilson as Jail Official

            John Davidson
            
            James Martin as Mexican Officer
See full cast

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