Jose Rizal Summary

The film started with a scene showing Rizal at Belgium writing a letter. The letter contains his thoughts that the Philippines has a serious illness and that it is plagued by the Spanish domination over our country. Crisostomo Ibarra was also introduced in the film, and it is Rizal’s alter ego. Ibarra had been forced to have two personalities because of the worsening problem in our country. He cursed the revolution and even the youth because they are asking for chains and not freedom with Spain. He said, “Mamamatay kayo bago pa man dumating ang inyong kamatayan.” Rizal had published books such as the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as his weapons against the dominions of Spain in our country. These novels became an inspiration over the “KATIPUNAN” or the “Sons of the People.” Andres Bonifacio condemns the friars and he said that the Spain is deaf and blind, they only make people become imbeciles and criminals. The only way for independence and freedom is through revolution. The Katipunans tear their ‘cedulas’ that symbolizes to end all of their ties with Spain and unity with revolution.
The friars have discovered such revolution; they even interrogated Paciano (Rizal’s older brother) just to gain information about the uprising in the country. The male members of Rizal’s family left their home at Tondo, Manila because they were being hunted by Spanish forces. Meanwhile, Governor General Blanco was subject to the commands of Monsignor Nosaleda.
On November 1896, Rizal has been brought to Fort Santiago in Manila, and he was being interrogated by a colonel of Spain. He refuse to admit that he knows anything about the revolution and the colonel accused him as a traitor, just like Fr. Burgos. Father Burgos has been sentenced to death together with other priests such as Father Gomez and Father Zamora (GOMBURZA). The death of Father Burgos was witnessed by Paciano. Paciano opened Rizal’s eyes to the injustices at that time.
Rizal believed that education is important, but what matters most is how you have learned the things in your life. Rizal’s first teacher was his mother and she had inspired him to learn more. Soon, Rizal was sent to Ateneo Municipal in 1872 and University of Santo Thomas in 1878. Her mother taught him the story of the moth; and she told him not to be like the little moth who was fascinated with the fire and it had burned his wings and fall completely into death. Rizal not only wanted to learn everything, but he wanted to see everything. He became a physician, and he cured his mother’s eye illness. He became a novelist and wrote about the current status of the country. He became a good son and good brother in his family.
In the film, Rizal’s mother was accused of attempting to poison her sister-in-law and she was imprisoned for almost two years. This is a revenge of the friars to Rizal’s family and to protect Jose Rizal, Paciano advised him not to use ‘Mercado’ anymore, and only ‘Rizal.’
Rizal was exiled and Signor Luis Taviel de Andrade became his Defense Counsel (the brother of Jose Taviel, Rizal’s former bodyguard). Luis has unleashed the stories behind Rizal’s intent of writing the novels, his life, his relationships, his education, and his beliefs. Luis believed that as a writer, what Rizal did is not art, but propaganda. Rizal defended that what the Filipinos really wanted is recognition that Filipinos are equal with Spaniards and peaceful reforms through education and civic development.
Rizal went to Europe to study medicine and do whatever is necessary to help liberate the people, as requested by Paciano. He left Leonor (his cousin and his lover) and his family to help his fellow countrymen. Rizal did well in school of medicine and he was inspired by the uprisings in Spain. He talked some of his fellow Filipinos in Spain in how shall they help in changing the system in the Philippines.
Rizal’s novels stimulated uprisings in our country and some copies of it were burned by the friars. Innocent people were imprisoned by the government by illegally possessing the books of Rizal. ‘La Solidaridad’ was founded and writings about the system were once again published. Some misunderstanding happened between the members of the organization and Rizal went back to the Philippines to face the Spaniards. In Manila, Rizal founded the ‘La Liga Filipina’ in July 1892. It aims to fortify the foundations of man and his family, give importance to education and agriculture for the development of our country.
Rizal was exiled at Dapitan and there he met Josephine Bracken. Monsignor Nosaleda is not contended with the exile of Rizal and he wanted him dead. He asked Governor General Blanco to execute Rizal, but refuse to do so. A new governor general, Governor General Polavieja was sent by Spain to grant Monsignor Nosaleda’s wish.
The revolution sparked despite Rizal’s disapproval. For him, we are not yet ready and it is not the right time. Rizal however was charged with being the leader of the revolution and he was sentenced to death. Rizal was fired on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan, Manila. His family and the Filipino people mourned for his death. Filipinos joined the uprisings and with Rizal’s death, we have achieved independence on June 12, 1896. Rizal died with honor and dignity for his country and for his fellow countrymen. He had fought for our freedom till his last breath. He had fought for his principles no matter how hard it is.