A really exceptional movie. Maria Felix is stunningly beautiful, Pedro Armendáriz is extremely handsome, Emilio Fernandez's direction is spot on, and Gabriel Figueroa's cinematography is exceptional (he worked with Gregg Toland of Citizen Kane and Grapes Of Wrath fame - and it shows).
Often called the Gone With The Wind of Mexican cinema and with a plot that has been referred to as Mexico's Taming Of The Shrew, it's a film of many parts, all excellent. Starts as a movie about the Mexican revolution, then quickly turns into a film about class distinctions and a romantic battle of wills between a beautiful, hot-tempered, haughty, upper-class woman and a lower-class, powerful general.
The serenade scene - with close-ups of Felix's eyes and the songs of the mariachis - is one of those rare moments of cinematic perfection.
Most highly recommended.
Added note: This may be a bit hard to find with English subtitles, so look for the Alter's Collection - !Vive Mexico! DVD version.