Porfirio Díaz's political prisoners become plantation slaves in this brutal Mexican exploitation epic.
In 1909, former judge Cristóbal Zamarripa owns Valle Nacional, a tobacco plantation where he exploits workers with the support of the tyrant Porfirio Díaz, who sends him political prisoners as slaves. The others are lured with the promise of high wages, but end up owing everything to the company store. All are tortured, raped, or killed when they protest. Another landowner whose brother was killed by Zamarripa and who falls in love with one of his daughters is going to be punished, but he flees and becomes a revolutionary.
Acting
Mario Almada's mustache-twirling villainy is deliciously unhinged.
Direction
Cardona Jr. films torture like he's rushing to catch golden hour.
Costume
Revolutionary bandoliers and blood-stained white suits. Mexico 1909, baby.
Director
René Cardona Jr.
Mario Almada
Don Cristóbal Zamarripa
Fernando Almada
Verduguillo
Ana Luisa Peluffo
Concepción
Silvia Mariscal
Margarita
Hugo Stiglitz
Felipe Aguirre
Jorge Russek
Pancracio
René Cardona
Don Luis Aguirre
Alejandro Ciangherotti
Prisionero
Carlos East
Prisionero
Quintín Bulnes
Charlete
Roberto 'El Flaco' Guzmán
José Carlos Ruiz
Tío Chinto
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Valle Nacional was a real tobacco region notorious for debt peonage; the film weaponizes actual Mexican history for grindhouse shock value.
Mario and Fernando Almada were real-life brothers, making their on-screen antagonism a weird family reunion. Mario reportedly kept his villain mustache for weeks after wrapping.
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