Thought-provoking and sensitive film about the violent rebellion in an African country , well set in the Sixties . It deals with a little boy called Mikoa . After witnessing the murder of his father , a young black man, is raised and educated in the mission of Father Braulio (Jesus Tordesillas) . Once grown-up the youngster is in love with Laura (María Silva) , a young white childhood friend , but her father (José Bodalo) , the plantation master, does not accept that relationship. At a party, Mikoa recognizes Charles (José Luis Martin) , the foreman who murdered his father, but his Catholic background prevents him from taking revenge . After Mokoa joins a gang of revolutionaries that wish all non-African out of their country. While Mokoa doesn't believe in the cause , he does not agree with the indiscriminate killing of women , children, and those who will not join or agree with them . Today's reign of Terror filmed in Africa! Their love defied primitive jungle laws! White Heat Explodes in Green Hell!
An agreeable and thoughtful drama for the historical-minded people , concerning the colonist upheavals with nice mood , well-performed , and evocative scenarios . The tension , intrigue and suspense mantain a real grip across , including a thrilling finale , adding a moving crucifixion .Along the way , the film reflects the way of life in an African county divided two communities , both African and Spanish . Regarding some thorny issues as racism , as two youngsters both of whom grew up together , but Mokoa soon finds that both races are treated differently . In "Cristo Negro" anyway , neither White Men , nor African people are necessarily the heroes , but both of them share the guilt of the distresses . In fact, the attitude of the colonials and the Africans are both decently portrayed . The ambient of the country at the time is pretty well shown accompanied by an atmospheric cinematography in black and white , as well as evocative musical score by Manuel Parada Rozsa . Main and support cast are frankly acceptable as René Muñoz playing Mikoa who still believes that there is a chance for peaceful co-existence and that he can stop most of the killing . Muñoz had a short but successful career such as Bienvenido, padre Murray , Cristo negro and especially Fray Escoba about the Spanish devotee Martin de Porres . Enjoyable support cast , such as : Jesús Tordesillas , José Bodalo, Charito del Río , Fernando Hilbeck , Rafael Hernandez and José Manuel Martín . This Cristo Negro (1963) belongs to a sub-genre develped in th 50s and 6os concerning colonial riots , whose main representatives were : ¨Simba¨ about Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya by Brian Desmond Hurst with Dick Bogarde , Donald Sinden , Virginia McKenna , ¨Something of value¨ by Richard Brooks with Rock Hudson , Sidney Poititier , William Marshall and ¨The Mercenaries¨ by Jack Cardiff with Rod Taylor , Jom Brown , Peter Carsten , Kenneth Moore .
This exciting flick was decently photographed by Ricardo Torres , a prestigious cameraman who made ¨Fray Escoba¨, ¨La Mies Es Mucha¨, ¨Vida Por Delante¨, ¨Comicos¨ , and westerns as ¨Sheriff Terrible¨, ¨Vengador California¨ , ¨Bienvenido Padre Murray¨ . The motion picture was professionally directed by Ramon Torrado . Ramon was born in 1905 , Galicia, Spain . He was a director and writer , known for directing some vehicles of known Folkloric stars such as Peret in Amor a Todo gas (1969) , Manolo Escobar in Un Beso en Puerto (1966) and Paquita Rico in Malvaloca (1954). The nice craftsman Torrado directed four mediocre Chorizo Westerns such as 1964 La Carga De la Policía Montada , 1964 Relevo a Pistolero and 1963 Bienvenido, Padre Murray and 1965 Los Cuatreros . Rating : 5.5/10.
An agreeable and thoughtful drama for the historical-minded people , concerning the colonist upheavals with nice mood , well-performed , and evocative scenarios . The tension , intrigue and suspense mantain a real grip across , including a thrilling finale , adding a moving crucifixion .Along the way , the film reflects the way of life in an African county divided two communities , both African and Spanish . Regarding some thorny issues as racism , as two youngsters both of whom grew up together , but Mokoa soon finds that both races are treated differently . In "Cristo Negro" anyway , neither White Men , nor African people are necessarily the heroes , but both of them share the guilt of the distresses . In fact, the attitude of the colonials and the Africans are both decently portrayed . The ambient of the country at the time is pretty well shown accompanied by an atmospheric cinematography in black and white , as well as evocative musical score by Manuel Parada Rozsa . Main and support cast are frankly acceptable as René Muñoz playing Mikoa who still believes that there is a chance for peaceful co-existence and that he can stop most of the killing . Muñoz had a short but successful career such as Bienvenido, padre Murray , Cristo negro and especially Fray Escoba about the Spanish devotee Martin de Porres . Enjoyable support cast , such as : Jesús Tordesillas , José Bodalo, Charito del Río , Fernando Hilbeck , Rafael Hernandez and José Manuel Martín . This Cristo Negro (1963) belongs to a sub-genre develped in th 50s and 6os concerning colonial riots , whose main representatives were : ¨Simba¨ about Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya by Brian Desmond Hurst with Dick Bogarde , Donald Sinden , Virginia McKenna , ¨Something of value¨ by Richard Brooks with Rock Hudson , Sidney Poititier , William Marshall and ¨The Mercenaries¨ by Jack Cardiff with Rod Taylor , Jom Brown , Peter Carsten , Kenneth Moore .
This exciting flick was decently photographed by Ricardo Torres , a prestigious cameraman who made ¨Fray Escoba¨, ¨La Mies Es Mucha¨, ¨Vida Por Delante¨, ¨Comicos¨ , and westerns as ¨Sheriff Terrible¨, ¨Vengador California¨ , ¨Bienvenido Padre Murray¨ . The motion picture was professionally directed by Ramon Torrado . Ramon was born in 1905 , Galicia, Spain . He was a director and writer , known for directing some vehicles of known Folkloric stars such as Peret in Amor a Todo gas (1969) , Manolo Escobar in Un Beso en Puerto (1966) and Paquita Rico in Malvaloca (1954). The nice craftsman Torrado directed four mediocre Chorizo Westerns such as 1964 La Carga De la Policía Montada , 1964 Relevo a Pistolero and 1963 Bienvenido, Padre Murray and 1965 Los Cuatreros . Rating : 5.5/10.
