El principio_
Mexico is in the midst of Revolution when the protagonist returns after studying in Paris to find his native town in Chihuahua occupied by Francisco Villa’s revolutionary forces. He visits his deserted home and remembers people and events from his adolescence that provide glimpses of pre-Revolutionary society under dictatorship: his uncle, the chief of police; his sister’s involvement with a liberal political association; bathing with the girls from a local brothel; a labor strike that ended in a massacre. Returning to the present he discovers that his father has been assassinated and, in the company of his father’s former servant, joins the revolutionary movement.
Starring
Lucha Villa, Narciso Busquets, Andrés García
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
N
Nuestro Cine MX
1 country
ALL REGIONS
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Year context
El principio was released 53 years ago in 1973.
Overview
Mexico is in the midst of Revolution when the protagonist returns after studying in Paris to find his native town in Chihuahua occupied by Francisco Villa’s ...
El principio is a Action, Drama, History film with a runtime of 2h 15m.
CAST (20)
Lucha Villa
María del Rayo, la Coquena
Narciso Busquets
Don Ernesto Domínguez
Andrés García
Luciano
Fernando Balzaretti
David Domínguez
SB
Sergio Bustamante
Don Pancho
Aurora Clavel
Madre Soldadera
Patricia Aspíllaga
Claudia Guadalajara
Evangelina Martínez
Petrita
Bruno Rey
General Cardiel
Lina Montes
Doña Cuca
Armando Acosta
El Cura
GA
Gregorio Acosta
General Francisco Villa
JA
Juan Allende
Enrique
RA
Rafael Arreola
Subteniente Federal
AC
Armando Coria
Capitán Federal
ML
Maria Luisa Garza Ruiz
La Maestra
Alfonso Obregon
Hijo Soldadera
MT
Maribel Tarragó
Barbarita
Alejandro Parodi
Leobardo López
Eduardo López Rojas
Jesús José Licón
STUDIOS (1)
Estudios Churubusco
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is El principio about?
Mexico is in the midst of Revolution when the protagonist returns after studying in Paris to find his native town in Chihuahua occupied by Francisco Villa’s revolutionary forces. He visits his deserted home and remembers people and events from his adolescence that provide glimpses of pre-Revolutionary society under dictatorship: his uncle, the chief of police; his sister’s involvement with a liberal political association; bathing with the girls from a local brothel; a labor strike that ended in a massacre. Returning to the present he discovers that his father has been assassinated and, in the company of his father’s former servant, joins the revolutionary movement.
How long is El principio?
El principio has a runtime of 135 minutes (2h 15m).
Who stars in El principio?
The cast of El principio includes Lucha Villa, Narciso Busquets, Andrés García, Fernando Balzaretti, Sergio Bustamante.
What is the rating of El principio?
El principio has a rating of 5.1 out of 10 based on 10 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (3)
Action
Drama
History