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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Brand: THINKFILM LLC
EAN: 0821575546850
Feature: Harvey Keitel, Daniel Lugo, and Gael Garcia Bernal star in this action-packed drama about the sacrifices several Cuban revolutionaries must make in their efforts to stand up for what they believe is right. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR Age: 821575546850 UPC: 821575546850 Manufacturer No: VL-54685
Format: Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Item Dimensions: 20
Label: Velocity / Thinkfilm
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 2.0 StereoSpanishSubtitled
Manufacturer: Velocity / Thinkfilm
MPN: VL-54685
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Velocity / Thinkfilm
Region Code: 1
Release Date: April 18, 2006
Running Time: 110 minutes
Studio: Velocity / Thinkfilm
Theatrical Release Date: 2003
Features:- Harvey Keitel, Daniel Lugo, and Gael Garcia Bernal star in this action-packed drama about the sacrifices several Cuban revolutionaries must make in their efforts to stand up for what they believe is right. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR Age: 821575546850 UPC: 821575546850 Manufacturer No: VL-54685
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Harvey Keitel Daniel Lugo and Gael Garcia Bernal star in this action-packed drama about the sacrifices several Cuban revolutionaries must make in their efforts to stand up for what they believe is right.System Requirements:Running Time 87 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR UPC: 821575546850 Manufacturer No: VL-54685
Amazon.com:
The specter of revolution hovers over a small Cuban town in 2003's Cuban Blood, director Juan Gerard's first (and, to date, only) feature. Veteran and versatile actor Harvey Keitel, whose involvement clearly helped get the picture made, plays the charismatic Che (no, not that Che), a big fish in the small pond that is Holguin, a picturesque spot that's relatively removed from the pro-Castro, anti-Batista rebellion sweeping the country in 1958. But when the rebels knock out the town's electrical power in the opening scene, an outage that lasts a full year, things start to get a little hairy, and Che and his family (including his grandson, clearly a stand-in for Gerard himself) face some major choices and changes. Granted, it's hardly the most original movie ever made. The use of a seemingly crazy homeless man (played by Georg Stanford Brown) as a prophetic Greek chorus is not an uncommon device; and as several critics have noted, echoes of other movies abound, from Cinema Paradiso and Casablanca to Rebel Without a Cause and more. In fact, Cuban Blood was itself formerly known as Dreaming of Julia, a reference to both the film that's playing in the local cinema when the power goes out and to the real name of the enigmatic "La Gringa," the only American in town (actress Iben Hjejle is actually Danish, though you'd never know it from her perfect, unaccented English). In the end, the promotional material's claim that it's "a star-studded adventure in the tradition of (Sergio Leone's epic) Once Upon a Time in America" is hyperbolic in the extreme. Nonetheless, this film--sometimes amusing, sometimes dramatic, both heartwarming and sad, sentimental but not overly so--will appeal to viewers of all ages. --Sam Graham
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I have no idea why Harvey Keitel and Gael Garcia Bernal would involve themselves in this taudry but blatent 'Cinema Paridiso' rip-off; but one, sadly, that lacks the charm and sofistication of that amazing Italian film. The child actors are precocious and unendearing, and the performances provided by the remaining adult cast are forced and uninspired. You can almost read the apathy (or shame?) on Mr. Keitel's face. Dreadful.
Rating:  -
this was better than expected - honestly, i bought it for gael garcia bernal and because i love any latin american themed movies so i had no expectation of the film
Rating: -
..."As you write," he said, "you'll see that time is running out."
Lensed in the Dominican Republic Gerard was denied authorization to film in Cuba but that didn't stop him because he managed to bring in a mellow and naturalistic cinematography through out this entire film. On the first couple of scenes I had to double check the DVD jacket on this film because the opening scene brought to mind "Cinema Paradiso"(which is a fantastic film by the way). In fact, this film is filled with references to classic films: The Roulette Wheel (Casablanca), "chicken clucking" (Rebel Without a Cause), references to Bunuel, "Touch of Evil"; you'll find more. The homeless man (George Stanford Brown) is a reference to Cuban folklore which often uses a black man as a type of Greek chorus.
What this film really is the culmination of a dream. Gerard's wish to honor his family and medium of film that he has loved all of his life. This is the true story of Juan Gerard and all the people in it are real, as are the events depicted. Gerard is actually an architect and engineer (and passionate film lover) but his dream was to make this movie. He and his wife decided to live that dream and Harvey Keitel became an "angel" who believed in Gerard and agreed to produce and star in it. Keitel holds the screen powerfully as the mysterious and secretive grandfather "Che". Brown and Keitel are the only Americans in the cast. Iben Hjejle and Gael Garcia Bernal offer strong support in their key roles. I must say that the first half of the film suffers from stiff delivery of lines, and some overreacting, but stay with it. The last half is much better as the events of the revolution combine for the bittersweet and honest climax.
"Cuban Blood" is sincere first effort of Juan Gerard and one of those films that I wouldn't mine watching again.
Rating: -
CUBAN BLOOD, a direct to DVD little film, has a long history. Shot in the year 2000 in the Dominican Republic as the first film for director/writer Juan Gerard (with writing assistance from Letvia Arza-Goderich) the film began as a 3 1/2 epic about the small town of Holguín, Cuba in the year 1958, a place where the Bautista/Castro clash was not as evident as in Havana. Originally named DREAMING OF JULIA (referencing both the sole entertainment for the little town - a movie house - as well as the sole Americana Julia who plays a significant pivotal role in the story), the film was next called CUBA LIBRE and finally titled (rather inappropriately CUBAN BLOOD. Juan Gerard has yet to make another film and one can understand why.
Holguín is a pretty, peaceful town whose patriarch is Che (Harvey Keitel - and the Che is an old grandfather, not the revolutionary), married to Beta (the very talented and dignified Mexican actress Diana Bracho), who are the beloved grandparents of the little boy (Andhy Méndez) whose story this film is as narrated by off screen mature Tony Planas. The impending revolution results in a loss of power for the town and the story is a simple coming to grips with the changes that are to be inevitable. The boy meets the Americana Julia (Iben Hjejle) who befriends him; he struggles with the town youths who mimic him as a chicken; he dotes on movies he watches with his grandmother Beta; he falls in love with the older Carmen (Farah Alfonseca) who in turn is in love with a quiet revolutionary sympathizer Ricky (Gael García Bernal in his second film after his debut in AMORES PERROS); he learns of Che's infidelity to Beta; and he watches the town and his family disperse with the coming of Fidel Castro's revolution. Seeing the events of 1958 through the eyes of a child is enchanting and for the most part makes for a sweet, though saccharine, film.
Cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau takes terrific advantage of the 'year without electricity' motif and makes most of the film shot at night with candles and lanterns creating a storybook loveliness that heightens the romantic aspect of this film. Perhaps in the original 3 1/2 hour version there were better character developments - especially in the case of Gael García Bernal's very small but pivotal role, and in the use of Georg Stanford Brown as a Greek Chorus 'Black Bum' who seems to be placed to make the events unfold with some sense of order.
The supporting cast includes some strong actors: Gabino Diego, Cecilia Suárez, Aline Küppenheim, Daniel Lugo, etc whose roles were no doubt better fleshed out in the original. But it is clearly the influence of Harvey Keitel that helped Juan Gerard make this film happen. It has moments but it too often falls into the novella melodrama realm to make it work for audiences trying to figure out whether this is an historic drama or a Cuban version of 'Cinema Paradiso'-type Italian films. Grady Harp, January 07
Rating:  -
I have to admit I had no expectations for this movie. It surprised me. Well paced, interesting enough characters an overall feel good flick if thats possible with a backdrop like the cuban revolution.
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