What is the summary of Jose Rizal Movie in 1998?

Answer 1

Jose Rizal Movie (2008)

Main Cast: Cesar Montano

The film starts with Dr. Jose Rizal (Cesar Montano) in Ghent, Belgium, supposedly writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo. As the narration during the opening minutes continued, scenes that illustrate Rizal's first novel, "Noli Me Tanger" was shown and Crisostomo Ibarra and his alter ego, Simoun, (Joel Torre) was introduced. This stood more as a second story of the movie as the said scenes progress throughout the movie as Rizal's thoughts. As the two novels spread throughout the Philippines, a certain and somewhat unassuming character in the name of Andres Bonifacio grabs a hold of a copy of a Rizal novel and instigates a rebellion with his founded Katipunan which upheld a full-blown revolution.

Archbishop Bernardo Nozaleda (Peque Gallaga) takes notice of this, claiming that Rizal gave the primary incentive in the revolution and warns Governor-general Blanco (Bon Vibar) that if he does not take care of Rizal and the growing conflict, he will be replaced. As the hunt for Rizal continues, the Spaniards get a hold of his older brother, Paciano Rizal (Pen Medina) and tortures him to get to Rizal. Paciano does not give any information on whether Rizal was the source of rebellion or not and was continued to be tortured, only to find out that he was already captured by the Spaniards later on. Paciano was eventually released and left their home together with his father, Francisco Mercado. Rizal is then seen being escorted by the Spanish guards to be interrogated by a colonel who is convinced that Rizal is a traitor since his latest novel was dedicated to Father Gomez, Burgos and Zamora.

Father Gomez, Father Burgos and Father Zamora were then seen being executed by garrote for treason. This was witnessed by the young Paciano (Ping Medina), who was also a close friend of the three priests. This ultimately raised Paciano's political awareness as he influences his 11 year-old brother. Rizal was then enrolled in a local school wherein he had a hard time as he was disliked by his teacher and was bullied. As he continued in his studies, his mother and former teacher, Teodora Alonzo, was wrongly accused and arrested for poisoning her sister. He then moved to a new school in Ateneo Municipal de Manila where he officially used the name Rizal and excelled. Rizal ,at the time he was in prison continued tell his tale to a prisoner servant (Jhong Hilario), who enamored with the wisdom of Rizal. Rizal then met his defense counsel, Luis Taviel de Andrade (Jaime Fabregas) who despised the fact that he was chosen by prisoner. Rizal continues to contemplate on his past during his session with Taviel, including his education in University of Santo Tomas where he and other Filipinos had a scuffle with the Spanish students.

His moments with Leonora Rivera (Mickey Ferriols), his first love and cousin, was also in the picture. He was then sent to Europe to focus more on studying medicine as requested by his brother. He studied in Unibersidad Central de Madrid, where near by, an up-rise against the bishops is on going due to a wrongly accused professor.

There in Madrid, he met his other countrymen who also desired freedom from the Spanish Rule and created a reform movement with him, Marcelo Del Pilar and Ponce as its leaders. The movement saw promise at first, but a conflict between Del Pilar and Rizal regarding La Solidaridad and lack of unity within the group subsequently made Rizal leave Madrid and go back to Philippines. As soon as he gets home, he immediately formed La Liga Filipina which was quickly abolished. With this his status as the enemy of the state was reinforced and Rizal was sent to Dapitan where he underwent depression but met his last lover, Josephine Bracken. Though far away, Archbishop Nozaleda was still unimpressed with this and with Blanco. Governor Blanco then instead sent Rizal to prison after making him believe he can work in Cuba as doctor. Nozaleda, who wants Rizal dead, replaced Blanco with Polavieja (Tony Mabesa). During Christmas, Rizal spent his holiday with Taviel who brought liquor and was gradually befriended by Rizal. But as the day passes, Taviel continued his counseling with Rizal wherein his El Filibusterismo and his credibility was questioned. Taviel, who was already convinced that defendant was not the instigator, claimed that Rizal failed with both his novels and that he his writings could possibly be forgotten.

At the day of the trial, a flashback of Rizal being visited by Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan to convince him of his approval of the revolution and to join them was seen. Taviel states to the judges that of Rizal's innocence, the lack of evidence also Rizal's disapproval of the Katipunan. Rizal also defended himself but his and Taviel's efforts were all for naught as Nozaleda forced Polavieja to make Rizal's execution final. Taviel, learning of fixed trial, was infuriated and stated that he was ashamed of Rizal because "he was a Spaniard". Set to die on December 30, Rizal still had time to bid his mother and sisters goodbye. He asked his mother to take his body, bury it, put a cross on the grave with his date of birth and death, nothing more. To his sister Trinidad who can speak English, Rizal gave her a lamp with "something inside it". In Rizal's last night in his cell, he looks at his desk with and paper and his pen on it. With nothing to write for his final piece, he is confronted by his own imagination and conscience in the form of Simoun. After a momentary breakdown, Rizal writes his final piece, Mi Ultimo Adios.

Rizal's impending execution was imminent and with a last conversation with Taviel, he marched to Bagumbayan. He was denied by the squad leader into facing the rifles but promised to spare his head. As the soldiers slowly aim at Rizal's back, the novelist smiles and spoke his last words in Latin, "It is done".

With this, Rizal is finally shot, followed by another shot as an act of coup de grace from the squad leader.

As the movie closes, the Katipunan finally shows its potential in toppling the regime, infiltrating churches that are symbols of power in the country.

Answer 2

The 1998 film "Jose Rizal" is a biographical drama that chronicles the life of the Filipino nationalist and martyr, Jose Rizal. The movie follows his struggles against Spanish colonization, his works as a writer and reformist, and his eventual execution for his involvement in the Philippine Revolution. It highlights key events in Rizal's life that shaped his beliefs and ultimate sacrifice for the country's independence.