San Basilio (1981)
A classic Filipino Western in which an unlikely hero rises to liberate a beleaguered town from the clutches of a ruthless tyrant.
San Basilio - Movie Information
- Original Title: San Basilio
- Release Year: 1981
- Directed by: Tony Cruz, Joey Del Rosario
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western, Action
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Original Language: Tagalog
- Spoken Languages: Tagalog
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 21, 1981 (Philippines - R-13)
- Production Companies: LL Productions
- Production Countries: Philippines
San Basilio - Plot
After the hero Julio Valiente was ambushed by Señor Escobar, there was no stopping him from being the head of San Basilio and thereby claiming all the lands, when people are tired of his doings a new Julio Valiente appeared in the person of Islaw and saves San Basilio from the tyrant hands of Señor Escobar.
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San Basilio - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tony Cruz
- Joey Del Rosario
Main Cast
- Lito Lapid
- Johnny Delgado
- Perla Bautista
- Paquito Diaz
- Diane Jose
- Bomber Moran
Writers
- Ben Feleo
San Basilio - FAQs
Who plays the hero Islaw in San Basilio?
Lito Lapid takes on the dual role of Islaw and Julio Valiente in San Basilio. He plays a reluctant hero who steps up to challenge the oppressive Señor Escobar after the original Julio Valiente is ambushed and removed from power in the town.
What is San Basilio about?
San Basilio follows the struggle of a small Filipino town under the iron grip of the villainous Señor Escobar, who seizes control after ambushing the local hero Julio Valiente. When the people can no longer bear his tyranny, a new champion named Islaw emerges to fight back and restore justice.
Is San Basilio a Filipino Western film?
Yes, San Basilio is a classic example of the Filipino Western genre — locally known as “Tagalog Western” — which flourished in Philippine cinema during the 1970s and 1980s. It blends traditional Western tropes like land disputes and gunslinging outlaws with a distinctly Filipino setting and sensibility.
Who directed San Basilio?
San Basilio was co-directed by Tony Cruz and Joey Del Rosario. The film was produced by LL Productions and released in the Philippines on August 21, 1981, carrying an R-13 rating.
What role does knife throwing play in San Basilio?
Knife throwing is one of the signature action elements in San Basilio, serving as a key combat skill associated with the hero. It adds a distinctive flair to the film’s action sequences and helps define the protagonist’s identity as a formidable and resourceful fighter against Señor Escobar’s forces.
When was San Basilio released?
San Basilio was released on August 21, 1981, in the Philippines. It carried an R-13 rating upon its theatrical release and runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
What are movies similar to San Basilio?
If you enjoy San Basilio, you might also like Five Fingers for Marseilles, Rustlers’ Rhapsody, Bad Girls, Rango, and Dead for a Dollar — all films that share its spirit of Western adventure, small-town conflict, and underdog heroes standing up against powerful oppressors.
Who wrote the screenplay for San Basilio?
The screenplay for San Basilio was written by Ben Feleo. The story centers on themes of oppression, resistance, and the rise of an unlikely hero in a small Western-style town, drawing on the rich tradition of Filipino action cinema from the early 1980s.
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