User reviews

As the other reviewers have mentioned, this is an exquisite magical fairy tale of a film made in Mexico in the 1960's. The cinematography is gorgeous and innovative. The tone of the film is haunting and quiet--lovely shots of nature, water, and landscape throughout. Some of the editing is excitingly experimental--featuring occasional montages that remind one of early soviet cinema. But mostly it is a delicate and fascinating tale of a child and an old man who share a passion for music. This dream-like film will insert itself into your subconscious and perhaps become a latent source of creative inspiration for you! The first time I saw this film- -I wandered into the theater knowing nothing about it--it was playing as part of a "Day of the Dead" festival in San Francisco and it put a spell on me. It would be great to see the film re- released on DVD. I was able to get a VHS copy from Turner Classics--don't know if those are still available? If you can find it--I hope you love it!

Oh my, how great to find this little review of Yanco. I saw this movie back in 1960-something. Here in Philadelphia we had a number of small art-house "cinemas" and the leading one, in terms of daring and originality was called the Bandbox, on Armat Street in Germantown. It had a rowdy bar next door and you could hear R&B music coming through the walls while you sat and watched those great old B&W films like Seventh Seal, Freaks, Ninotchka. In the case of Yanco, I have been haunted ever since I first saw it. I have never met anyone else since who recollects having seen it. I want to see it again. Certain visuals have stayed with me all through these years. Thank you to the reviewer who briefly discussed this. You revived my memory. I've always wondered, If the movie was so great, why have I never heard of it since? To say more might be spoiling part of the plot, because I do not remember the sequence in which the images I remember happened. Wonderful movie. Thanks.

I've been waiting for a long time for this movie to be listed here. Caught it around 11 p.m. a LONG time ago on channel 9, KHJ-TV in Los Angeles, before it became KCAL(talk about dating yourself). I only saw it the one time, but, darnit, this should be seen by anyone who considers going into directing. The story of a young boy growing up in a contemporary Mexican village, who has an almost disabling sensitivity to any loud noise, who desperately seeks some outlet--any outlet--for his budding musical talent and finds it with help from an old man who lives on the outskirts of town and plays a haunting violin...well, they don't make them like that here, nowadays. The film's beguiling story line, the sedate, almost ethereal pace, together with an almost complete lack of spoken dialogue is a standing challenge for any budding filmmaker up here in El Norte to match what he did. If you see it in you local listings, PLEASE set your VCR. You'll be glad you did.