Robert Beltran | Films | La Pastorela

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Rate this film: (1=avoid it, 10=adore it!)

Average score to date: 8.25

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Also performed on stage at El Teatro Campesino

Reviewed by Leila:

required to hear the song clip on this page

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film still The movie, La Pastorela, is a Luis Valdez production based on the play; some of it is done in a musical play format and then emerges as a part of a young hispanic girl's dream when she passes out in church where the play is beginning to take place. The girl passes out due to an accidental bang on the head. Robert Beltran plays the devil with sheer madness; he rides around hell in a car and on a horse with his face covered up by a dark sheer covering (unfortunately, it was ever so hard to see that beautifully sculpted face). He sends his evil cohorts to tempt and corrupt a group of people (referred to as shepherds) who are on a long journey to see the Savior.

film still Linda Ronstadt plays an angel who has to intervene from time to time, keeping the shepherds safe on their journey.

There is a lot of tension between the angel and the devil, as well as a lot of good singing from both Robert Beltran and Linda Ronstadt. I am unsure whether the opera voice I heard at times coming from Robert's character was actually Robert Beltran singing; but if it was, then he has one powerful and terrific singing voice.

Song clip

film still In the end, good actually overcomes evil as Linda Ronstadt has to battle with Robert Beltran to send him straight back to hell with his cohorts. There were some pretty good special effects as they both battle within the dark sky amongst the stars. And that is how the young girl's dream ends.
film still I thought LaPastorela was very good; it was telling the story of the Messiah's birth from the shepherds' point of view in a Latino style and multicultural theme. Although I originally purchased the movie to see Robert Beltran, I thoroughly enjoyed the performances of all the characters. And Robert Beltran's acting, as usual, was powerful and captivating. Robert also looked quite brawny and handsome in his costume. Yummy might be the best word to describe Robert's appearance in this movie.

film still La Pastorela, originally aired in 1991 on PBS under the Great Performances Series. I would recommend it to anybody. Definitely a must-see.
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Reviewed by Leila

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Reviews:

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Name: Meagan
Review:

Just to answer one of the questions in the above review, the opera voice on the song "Corona de Espinas" was Carlos Casta�eda, not Robert Beltran. The other song his character sang (the non-opera one), however, did sound quite like him.
Name: Angela Cox
E-mail: beltranangel@yahoo.co.uk
Review:

I loved this film ,it is beautiful,moving and the cast is fantastic.I shall show it at Christmas and Easter.Robert is simply marvellous,the Devil with the face of an angel.What Leila doesn't really mention is how funny it is.When I read the cast list I wondered,Paul Rodriquez can make me laugh just looking at him ever since I saw MILLION TO JUAN.I thought Miquel Sandoval was very funny.I was magically transported back to my childhood ,I spent Christmas Eve at my Polish friend's house then on to midnight mass.After church a drive home at 2am...looking up at the stars and thinking of ...Father Christmas!!!!!This films reminder of Christmas being a celebration of Christ's birth,a time for family and friends is much needed at a time of horrors like Sunday shopping.I showed my 82 year old mother yesterday,it was nice to share this she is a bit confused by my passion for Robert and I can't share much of his stuff ,this will always be special to me.Thank you so much Teatro Campesino,special thanks to Robert .Angie
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