The story is set during the regime of President Victoriano Huerta, who came to power in 1913 by betraying—and likely murdering—the father of the Revolution, President Francisco Madero. The film centers on a disreputable Huertista officer, Col. Carrasco (Alfredo del Diestro), who arrests 13 revolutionaries and is ordered to execute them the next morning. Just as the prisoners are being led to the firing squad, however, Carrasco’s long-estranged wife tells him that one of them is their son. A sobering portrait of the corruption that overtook revolutionary ideals, EL PRISIONERO 13 was recognized at the time of its release as a watershed Mexican film. “From now on,” one commentator wrote, “our filmmakers will be divided into two periods: before and after EL PRISIONERO 13.”

About Fernando de Fuentes’ Revolution Trilogy

Between 1933 and 1936 Fernando de Fuentes, an up-and-coming Mexican filmmaker, directed three films about the nation’s recently-ended revolution (1910-1920). Though narratively unconnected, the three stand-alone films are linked thematically, sharing a clear-eyed view of the bloody struggle for tierra y libertad (land reform and liberty), and constitute an informal trilogy. All three were praised at the time of their release, and are still regarded as among the most important and memorable Mexican films. Responding to popular demand, AFS is proud to present these three classics of Mexico’s Golden Age Cinema. Each screening will be hosted by University of Texas Professor Charles Ramírez Berg, author of the book “The Classical Mexican Cinema: The Poetics of the Exceptional Golden Age Films.”

The Harry Ransom Center presents three Classical Mexican Cinema screenings this November. Learn more >>