Evita (film)

Evita is the Oscar-winning film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical based on the life of Eva Perón. It was directed by Alan Parker and starred Madonna, Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Pryce. It was released on December 25, 1996 by Hollywood and Cinergi Pictures.

Tagline: The Most Anticipated Motion Picture Event of The Year

Cast

Madonna - Eva Perón

Antonio Banderas - Che

Jonathan Pryce - Juan Perón
Jimmy Nail - Agustín Magaldi
Victoria Sus - Doña Juana
Julian Littman - Brother Juan

Olga Merediz - Blanca
Laura Pallas - Elisa
Julia Worsley - Erminda
María Luján Hidalgo - Young Eva
Servando Villamil - Cipriano Reyes
Andrea Corr - Perón's Mistress

Peter Polycarpou - Domingo Mercante
Gary Brooker - Juan Bramuglia
Maite Yerro - Julieta

Adrià Collado - Carlos
Gabriel Kraisman - Cinema Manager
Martin Drogo - Young Juan
Venesa Weis - Young Blanca
Veronica Ferrari Risler - Young Elisa
Aldana García Soler - Young Erminda
Domingo Chiofalo - Chivilcoy Priest
Ismael Osorio - Juan Duarte Sr
Lidia Catalano - Estela Grisolia
John Coverdale - Junin Tango Band Member #1
Roderick Hart - Junin Tango Band Member #2
Ian Hill - Junin Tango Band Member#3
Rob Levy - Junin Tango Band Member #4
Teddy Peiro - Junin Tango Band Member #5
Joe Townsend - Junin Tango Band Member #6

Mark Ryan - Waiter in Junin Bar #1
Gordon Neville - Waiter in Junin Bar #2
Frederick Warder - Waiter in Junin Bar #3
Albin Pahernik - Eva's Dance Partner #1
Luca Tommassini - Eva's Dance Partner #2
Denis Tremblay - Eva's Dance Partner #3

Alan Parker - Tormented Film Director
Nick Holder - Announcer on Balcony
Éva Vári - Señora Magaldi
Zsanett Farkas - Magaldi Child
Denis Lill - President Farrell
Ana Justo - Aristo Woman
Sergio Lerer - Theatre Producer
Mara Bestelli - Starlet at Audition #1
Mónica Lairana - Starlet at Audition #2
Bettina Menegazzo - Starlet at Audition #3
Laura Miller - Starlet at Audition #4
Marcelo Alejandro Auchelli - Huevo
Luis Alday - Emilio Kartulowicz
Luis Boccia - Señor Jabón
Vera Fogwill - Zaz Jingle Duo #1
Alfredo Martín - Colonel Aníbal Imbert
Diego Leske - Eva's Admirer #1
Francisco Nápoli - Eva's Admirer #2
Eduardo Ruderman - Eva's Admirer #3

Fabián Stratas - Eva's Admirer #4
David Henry - President Rawson
Fernando Agustín Henin - Eva's Co-star
Ricardo Aliaga - Dancer
Eileen Booth - Dancer
Balázs Tardy - Father Benítez
John Byrnes - Dancer
Iris Christy - Dancer
Brian Cobby - Hortensio Quijano
Ina Clare - Dancer
George Little - Frockcoat
Anna De Freitas - Dancer
Alison Del Rio - Dancer
Victor Satchwell - Spanish Ambassador
Sally Bourne - Eva's Maid #1
Eduardo del Río - Dancer
Dan Dorlin - Dancer

Rachel Izen - Eva's Maid #2
Anne Frankel - Dancer
Susan Raasay - Eva's Maid #3
Els Gevaert - Dancer
Fabiana Giudicotti - Dancer
Peter Hughes - Franco
Diomar Giraldo - Dancer
John Gower - Prince Fuspoli
Edward Grundy - Dancer
Charles Lewsen - Pope Pius XII
Ian Good - Paris Opera Singer #1
Jackie Hall - Dancer
Troy Jackson - Paris Opera Singer #2
Peter Jessup - Dancer
Asad Khan - Dancer
Marcos Woinsky - Opposition Politician (as Marcos Woinski)
András Komlós - Vigil Priest
Geoff Lambert - Dancer
Barry Levhar - Dancer
Richard Marcel - Dancer
Lawrence Merry - Dancer
Tony Meredith - Dancer
Osualdo Hector Miranda - Dancer
Myriam Ojedo - Dancer
Kerry Ribchester - Dancer
Peta Roby - Dancer
Carmela Romero - Dancer
Warren Smith - Dancer
Diana Syrat - Dancer
Ariadne C. Villareal - Dancer

Mem Ferda - Argentine Naval Officer
Adam Gyökhegyi - Soldier #2 in shower
Csaba Kelemen - Soldier #4 in shower
István Kléh-Reinle - Soldier #8 in shower
Héctor Malamud
Osana Moad - Italian orphan
Taylor Peiris - Mourner #4

Lucinda Rhodes-Flaherty - Maria
Jorge Sabate
Gábor Salinger
Norberto Trujillo - Dancer
Tamas Wandracsek - Soldier
Tamás Wandracsek - Soldier
Nickolas Grace - Tailor

Che Grant - Choir boy
Anahí Martella -
Billie Piper - Bit Part

Plot

Evita traces the life of Eva Duarte (later Perón) (Madonna) from a child from the lower class to becoming the first lady and spiritual leader of Argentina. Early in the film, Eva is seen as a small girl attempting to attend her father's funeral in the town of Junin with her mother and siblings. But her father's wife and other family (who are middle class) ban Eva's family from entering and carry Eva out screaming after she runs in on her own.

At age 15, Eva decides to leave Junin to seek a better life and hitches a ride to Buenos Aires with a lounge singer with whom she's having an affair. She progresses through several relationships with increasingly influential men until her fateful meeting with Colonel Juan Perón (Jonathan Pryce) at a fundraiser. Perón's connection with Eva lends him a populist air since she is from the working class as is Peron himself. Eva has a radio show during Perón's rise and uses all her skills to promote Perón even when the controlling administration has him jailed to try and stunt his political momentum. The groundswelling of support Eva generates forces the government to release Perón and he finds the people enamored with him and Eva. Perón wins election to the presidency and Eva promises the new government will serve the "descamisados" (literally, "those without shirts", i.e. the working poor). Eva establishes a foundation and does distribute aid while the Perónists otherwise plunder the public treasury. Argentina is very class based and the military corps and social elites despise Eva's common roots and affinity for the poor. During a world tour Evita becomes ill and is rushed home. Eventually her condition worsens to the point she has to be carried around in a wheelchair. Towards the end of her life she understands she is terminally ill but rationalizes that her life was short because she shone like the "brightest star" and helps Juan prepare to go on without her. The entire nation seems to be standing outside her palace window when the light goes out, signifying her death.

Soundtrack
Album:

Evita - The Motion Picture Music Soundtrack o
Evita - Music from the Motion Picture
Singles:

You Must Love Me - Madonna
"Don't Cry for Me Argentina" - Madonna
Another Suitcase in Another Hall - Madonna
Buenos Aires - Madonna