Alex Boncayao Brigade is a 1989 action film directed by Joey del Rosario. The film stars Ronnie Ricketts, Mia Prats, George Estregan Jr., Richard Bonnin and Marco Polo, alongside Dave Brodett, Val Iglesias, Nick Romano, Bomber Moran, and Dexter Doria. It is about the titular communist militant group (otherwise known as the Sparrow Unit) that functions as the urban guerrilla unit of the New People's Army. Produced by Olympia Pictures, the film was released on January 18, 1989.[1]
Alex Boncayao Brigade | |
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Directed by | Joey del Rosario |
Written by | Tony A. Calvento |
Produced by | Ricky Salonga |
Starring |
|
Cinematography | Bhal Dauz |
Edited by | Augusto Salvador |
Music by | Vehnee Saturno |
Production company | Olympia Pictures |
Distributed by | Olympia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Country | Philippines |
Language | Filipino |
Critic Lav Diaz expressed that the film was "nothing extraordinary".
Cast
edit- Ronnie Ricketts as Romy
- Mia Prats as Dolores
- George Estregan Jr. as Rudy
- Marco Polo as Ricky
- Richard Bonnin as Leo
- Dave Brodett as Lt. Cordero
- Val Iglesias as Sgt. Padilla
- Nick Romano as Roberto
- Bomber Moran as Slim
- Dexter Doria as Fe
- Emil Estrada as Pfc. Salcedo
- Eddie del Mar Jr. as Pfc. Abad
- Lucita Soriano as Ka Rosa
- Dante Abadeza as Carding
- Mayleen Gonzales as Celina
- Jumbo Montelibano as a rebel
- Andy Oba as a rebel
- Danny Estrella as a rebel
- Philip Gamboa as Col. Ramos
- Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia as Maj. Francisco
- Zandro Zamora as Col. Espiritu
- Teri Robles as news caster
- Vic Varrion as Col. Medina
- Renato del Prado as a detective
- Rene Hawkins as Itoy
- Nello Nayo as Atty. Juan Sevilla
- Becky Misa as Mrs. Gonzales
- Cris Daluz as Cristino
- Nonoy de Guzman as driver of Col. Espiritu
- Eddie Tuazon as Patis
- Tony Bagyo as a detective
- Omay Rivera as a detective
Release
editAlex Boncayao Brigade was released on January 18, 1989.[2][3]
Critical response
editLav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, considered the film to be "nothing extraordinary", with a standard "Ka" (communist) story and ordinary, albeit numerous, action scenes. He criticized, however, the "corny" speech towards the end of the film.[4]
See also
editOther depictions of the Alex Boncayao Brigade (Sparrow Unit) in film:
- Target: Sparrow Unit (1987) - also written by Tony Calvento and starring Ronnie Ricketts
- Ambush (1988) - also starring Ronnie Ricketts
- Patrolman (1988)
References
edit- ^ Tiongson, Nicanor (2010). The Urian Anthology: 1989–1989. University of the Philippines Press. p. 496. Retrieved May 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. January 18, 1989. p. 16. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
ABC CINEMA-A...........Alex Buncayao [sic]
- ^ "Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. January 17, 1989. p. 15. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
ABC CINEMA-A.......Walang Panginoon
- ^ Diaz, Lav (January 22, 1989). "Sa daigdig ng mga Ka". Manila Standard (in Filipino). Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 16. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
Walang ekstraordinaryo, karaniwan lang itong kuwentong Ka. [...] Malaking hakhakhak dito yaong korning pagtatalumpati ng pelikula sa huli