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Martin Luis Guzman's novel, which was the object of strict censorship for thirty years, is the basis of our story, which takes place in post-revolutionary Mexico. No doubt the film was blacklisted due to its raw, incriminating content, which perfectly showcased the dirty political dealings of those times. The film was banned from Mexican theaters and there were claims that the negative and all its copies had been destroyed. However, poor quality, pirated renderings of the film have been being circulated surreptitiously since, with it now being looked upon as a cult classic. The film was finally released and shown in 1990 by director, Julio Bracho's, family. At some point, the film was finally recognized by The Cineteca Nacional De Mexico as a vital piece Mexico's cinematic history and undoubtably because of its artistic allure, so in their endeavor to preserve Mexican Cinema, the film was finally restored.
In our story, conflicting political aims and views and the universal lust for power, have the characters finding themselves in a dangerous climate where it's dog-eat-dog and where corruption abounds. So, when candidates are being chosen for the new term for the presidency, they find themselves at the mercy of their current president, El Caudillo, who will resort to anything to have his will be done, even kidnapping, betrayal, and murder.

Bonus Materials

• A Video Essay by David Wilt noted author and expert on Mexican film history.

Sales Points

• The 1929 novel 'La sombra del caudillo' won the prize for national literature, and the film won a special prize from the jury of the International Film Festival of Karlovy Vary in July 1960.
• First time available in a restored in 4K Blu-ray!
• For fans of films like 'La Barraca' and 'Espaldas Mojadas'.
• #66 on the SOMOS list of Top 100 films of Mexican Cinema!
• This movie was deemed too controversial by official censors, since it portrays the massacre that gave birth to Mexico's ruling party. It was commercially released until the year of 1990, thirty years after original final version that was never shown.
• Based on a Best-Selling Book written by Martín Luis Guzmán.

Press Quotes

The greatest political thriller in the history of Mexican cinema.

     —Ernesto Diezmartinez , Cine Vértigo