With clear stylistic references to the spaghetti western, the film tells a story set in the Chilean countryside in a bygone era. The script, which tries to offer a folkloric costumbrista picture through an anecdote of love and revenge, is primary and unsubstantial. In many moments the film turns out to be comic when it is supposed to be dramatic and vice versa.
Sin una historia propiamente tal, y acercándose bastante al género documental, el film es una ilustración folklórico-turístico-musical de Chile con una variedad de elementos del espectáculo: cantantes de moda, conjuntos melódicos, grupos folklóricos, números cómicos y fiestas campesinas. Este filme se convirtió, en su momento, en la película más vista del cine chileno con más de 375.000 entradas vendidas.
The story, set at the end of the 19th century, revolves around the rivalry between two families of ancient peasant lineage, the Valladares and the evil Vilches who, out of greed and sentimental revenge, try to dispossess the true owners of their land. The Valladares defend theirs, ending the conflict with a melee between the two main rivals. There are duels, fires, chases, kidnappings, betrayals and deaths. There is also a romantic note, the costumbrista landscape, the laughable moment and the folk songs.
