Underplayed Gems

Maharlika (1970)

Maharlika poster
Directed by
Jerry Hopper
Country
Philippines
Rating
5.5 of 10 from 4 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
The 3D catalogue: film cases on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

This film is a war movie made to boost the image of Ferdinand Marcos. It covers his supposed World War II actions. The film was held back from release for many years after a scandal.

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What happens

Maharlika (lit. 'Nobleman'; also known as Guerilla Strike Force) is a 1987 Filipino war film directed by Jerry Hopper and starring Paul Burke, Dovie Beams, Farley Granger, Vic Diaz, Vic Silayan, and Broderick Crawford in his final film appearance. Produced by Nepomuceno Productions, it is loosely based on the alleged wartime exploits of Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th President of the Philippines, during World War II; the film was commissioned by Marcos himself in 1968. Though Maharlika was completed by 1970, the film was banned by Marcos' wife Imelda from theatrical exhibition in 1971 due to Beams alleging that she had an affair with the president. Imelda then instructed production head Luis Nepomuceno to safeguard the film's elements, which were thus sent abroad, while Nepomuceno Productions was later closed down. After the Marcoses were deposed in 1986 through the People Power Revolution, the film was publicly exhibited for the first time at the Rizal Theater in Makati on February 20, 1987. Later, it was given a general release in Philippine theaters on April 9, 1987. Critic Ernie M. Hizon of the Manila Standard gave the film an extremely negative review for its unremarkable quality and white savior narrative. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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