Patrolman (film)

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Directed byCesar SB. Abella
Screenplay byHumilde 'Meek' Roxas[1]
Story byCesar SB. Abella[1]
Starring
Patrolman
Directed byCesar SB. Abella
Screenplay byHumilde 'Meek' Roxas[1]
Story byCesar SB. Abella[1]
Starring
CinematographyJoe Tutanes[1]
Edited byTony Sy[1]
Music byRey Ramos[1]
Production
company
El Niño Films
Release date
  • December 25, 1988 (1988-12-25)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Patrolman is a 1988 Filipino action film directed by Cesar SB. Abella and starring stuntman Baldo Marro as the titular patrolman. It also stars Melissa Mendez, Sunshine, Raoul Aragonn, Dick Israel, Zandro Zamora, Arwin Rogelio, and Odette Khan. Based on a true story, the film is about a dedicated and honest policeman who becomes a target of the New People's Army's Sparrow Unit.[2] The film was produced by El Niño Films and released on December 25, 1988, as part of the 14th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).


Cast

Release

Patrolman was given a "P-15" rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB),[3] and was released on December 25, 1988, as part of the 14th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).[1]

Reception

Box office

On its opening day, Patrolman grossed ₱381 thousand, the least grossing film among the six MMFF films.[4][5] By January, however, the film was able to surpass Itanong Mo sa Buwan, and ranked fifth out of all the entries to the festival.[6]

Critical response

Patrolman won three MMFF awards, for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marro), and Best Supporting Actor (Israel).

Marro's win for Best Actor is considered an upset by many, as Christopher de Leon was more critically favored for his performance in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?.

Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, gave Patrolman a negative review, criticizing the film for putting excessive emphasis on its theme of the ideal policeman in both dialogue and visuals, with his own review being titled "Propaganda of the police". He also questioned why the Sparrow team of young rebels and hitmen targeted Marro's character, an overall righteous policeman, without a clear reason for doing so. However, Diaz admitted that the film is able to effectively hit upon a person's conscience, accidental or otherwise.[2]

Controversy

Baldo Marro, a stuntman who had solely received supporting roles before Patrolman, won the MMFF Award for Best Actor.[4][5] His win is generally considered an upset by many, as he beat out favored actor Christopher de Leon, who received acclaim for his performance in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?.[7][5][8] Actress Armida Siguion-Reyna expressed the sentiment that both de Leon and Mark Gil, the latter from Itanong Mo sa Buwan, were more deserving of the MMFF Best Actor award than Marro, stating that "I like Baldo – but that is beside the point. Let us not be cruel to him by making him believe that what he did is great acting."[9]

Accolades

Group Category Name Result
Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture Patrolman[4][5] Won
Best Actor Baldo Marro Won
Best Supporting Actor Dick Israel[4][5] Won
FAMAS Awards Best Supporting Actor Dick Israel[10] Nominated
Best Child Actress Sunshine[10] Nominated
Best Editing Tony Sy[10] Nominated
Best Sound Gabby Castillan[10] Nominated

Sequel

A sequel, Amok: Patrolman 2, was released in 1989.

See also

References

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