Herod's Law

1999, Comedy, 2h 0m

25 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

La Ley de Herodes is a biting - if heavy-handed - political satire about greed and corruption in Mexico, featuring a brilliant performance from Damián Alcázar. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

In the 1940s, a small Mexican town has lost three mayors within a short span of time because the citizens have assassinated them. A naive janitor (Damián Alcázar) is recruited to become the new mayor, and he believes he will modernize the little town and usher in a reign of peace. But the system corrupts him very quickly, as it is predicated on bribery. Soon, the new mayor takes to abusing his power while associating with an unscrupulous assortment of opportunists, hypocrites and criminals.

Cast & Crew

Damián Alcázar
Juan Vargas
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
Lopez
Delia Casanova
Rosa
Juan Carlos Colombo
Ramirez
Alex Cox
Gringo
Guillermo Gil
Padre
Ernesto Gómez Cruz
Gobernador
Leticia Huijara
Gloria
Luis de Icaza
Alfredo Garcia
Eduardo López Rojas
Doctor
Manuel Ojeda
Cantinero
Salvador Sanchez
Pek
Evangelina Sosa
Perlita
Isela Vega
Dona Lupe
Luis Estrada
Director
Luis Estrada
Writer
Vincente Leñero
Writer
Fernando Javier Léon Rodríguez
Writer
Jaime Sampietro
Writer
Luis Estrada
Producer
Sandra Solares
Executive Producer
Santiago Ojeda
Original Music
Norman Christianson
Cinematographer
Luis Estrada
Film Editor
Claudia Becker
Casting
Sandra León Becker
Casting
Salvador Parra
Art Direction
Ana Solares
Art Direction
Alfredo Mora
Makeup Artist
Felipe Salazar
Makeup Artist
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Critic Reviews for Herod's Law

All Critics (25) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (8)

View All Critic Reviews (25)

Audience Reviews for Herod's Law

  • Dec 25, 2011
    Starts off with a funny, caustic humour, but the tone changes and wears off, drags, stretches in an unfunny, unsurprising second half. The idea was better than the outcome. Great leading performance.
    Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
  • Aug 15, 2008
    The first movie I saw in Mexico, a good representation of the corruption of the PRI, yet again something that should be studied before watching the film. Solid satire throughout of the political atmosphere of Mexico post-WWII. Good acting, funny, and also has its fair share of violence.
    Lenny M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 28, 2008
    La Ley de Herodes.....o te ch*ngas o te j*des! Esta película retrata con fidelidad y humor todos los personajes dentro de la política mexicana durante el periodo en el que el PRI tenía el poder absoluto dentro del gobierno. Lanzada meses antes de las elecciones presidenciales del 2000, la cinta habla sobre Juan Vargas, un donnadie que es mandado a ser presidente municipal de un pueblo en medio de la nada, en la cual descubre las maravillas del poder, con todo y dinero y corrupción. Las actuaciones son acertadas, y el guión está genial. Y sí, me dió un brote de nacionalismo y quise grabar mi crítica en español. :)
    Liolia K Super Reviewer
  • May 28, 2007
    I love the taste of political controversy in cinema, be it oldie or modern. Luis Estrada's only hit (not miss) is a wonderful work full of satyrical, in-your-face humor criticizing the "revolutionary and institutional" regime that hunted and raped Mexico for 70 years. This came out one year before such prolonged period would be over, and it's interesting to see the director's skillful abilities to show his ideas, win the hearts of liberalist critics and separate audiences, including democrats. There were some missing elements for me and some others resembled a soap opera from Televisa, but this is among the finest pieces of work Mexico could offer before Iñárritu and several other independent and amateur filmmakers arrived to the big screen. 85/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
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