Darna (1991 film)

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Darna
Directed by Joel Lamangan [1]
Screenplay byFrank G. Rivera
Story by
Based on Darna
by Mars Ravelo
Produced by
  • Vic del Rosario, Jr.
  • William Leary
Starring Nanette Medved
CinematographyRamon Marcelino
Edited byIke Jarlego Jr.
Music byWilly Cruz
Distributed by Viva Films [1]
Release date
  • December 25, 1991 (1991-12-25)
Running time
108 minutes
Country Philippines
Language Filipino

Darna is a 1991 Filipino superhero film based on the Philippine comic character Darna, directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Frank G. Rivera. It stars Nanette Medved, Nida Blanca, Edu Manzano, Pilar Pilapil, Tonton Gutierrez, Bing Loyzaga, Dennis Padilla, and Atong Redillas. The film's special effects were done by Rolly Sto. Domingo. [2] The film was released through Viva Films on December 25, 1991, as part of the 17th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Contents

Plot

In the early 1900s, explorer Dominico Lipolico encounters a sinister relic in the Amazon jungle that gives him immortality in exchange for fomenting evil. In the present day, Dominico, who poses as a philanthropist, moves his operations to the Philippines to spread his deeds, recruiting fashion designer Valentina and a local admirer and giving them powers of a Gorgon and a winged "Manananggal", respectively. He also tries to recruit Darna, who is incarnated in a newspaper journalist named Narda. Valentina lures Darna at an event by releasing snakes to kill the audience, to which Darna comes to the rescue. Valentina's talking pet snake, Vibora discovers Darna's transformation into Narda, which enables Valentina to capture her. At Dominico's lair, Dominico forces Darna to join him by threatening her grandmother and siblings but is thwarted by her siblings rescuing Darna before she is fully transformed. Darna rescues Narda's newspaper companions George and Buster from an attack by the Manananggal, killing her by luring her to a church cross, while Valentina is accidentally killed during a fight with Darna when Vibora unwittingly gives a live grenade for Valentina to throw. Darna then confronts Dominico, who reveals himself as a Devil-incarnate who goes on a burning spree. He initially overpowers Darna, but is killed when she grabs the relic that he wears as a necklace and crushes it, resulting in the disintegration of Dominico and his minions.

Cast

Accolades

GroupYearCategoryNameResult
Metro Manila Film Festival 1991 Best Picture Darna3rd [5] [6]
Best Director Joel Lamangan Nominated
Best Actress Nanette Medved Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Nida Blanca Nominated
Best Child Performer Atong RedillasNominated
Best Cinematography Ramon MarcelinoNominated
Best Musical Score Willy CruzNominated
Best Sound Recording Rolly RutaNominated
Best Production Design Benjie de GuzmanNominated
Best Make-Up Cecille BaunWon
Best Visual Effects Carlos LacapWon
FAMAS Awards 1992 Best Supporting Actress Pilar Pilapil Nominated [7]
Best Child ActorAtong RedillasNominated

References

  1. 1 2 Mata, Elvira (December 27, 1991). "Filmfest tips, forecasts and reviews". Manila Standard. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  2. ↑ Darna (1991) - Full cast & crew - IMDb . Retrieved March 25, 2025– via www.imdb.com.
  3. ↑ "Former 'Darna' Nanette Medved-Po donates classrooms to Marawi children". RAPPLER. June 14, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  4. ↑ Legaspi, John (November 19, 2021). "Valentina: Her many faces and origin stories". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Metro filmfest reels off today". Manila Standard. December 25, 1991. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  6. ↑ Metro filmfest reels off today. Manila Standard. December 25, 1991. p. 18.
  7. ↑ "41st FAMAS Awards (1992)". The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on July 17, 2006. Retrieved May 5, 2024.


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