User Reviews

I very much disagree with the previous comment posted on this movie because I think it is one of the best movies produced in Colombia. It treats the usual theme of poverty and social unjustice with satire and humor giving it a new approach and an enrichening perspective. For anyone who has had any follow up of Colombian cinema, this is a must see movie.

'La estrategia del caracol' had an unexpected success in Colombia. The movie was on release at the end of december of 1994 and, suddenly, like a miracle, the film connected with the viewers, the critics and collected some money, something unusual in that country where Hollywood rubbish-films are box-office kings (sadly). Certainly, Cabrera's creation deserved that incredible viewer's support. His movie is a good polaroid of colombian people and their way of living. It shows us the efforts of a group of 'neighbours' trying to keep the only thing that they have got in their lives: their house, something that belongs to them but, legally, doesn't. They will have to work together, despite they don't like each other, in order to solve that problem. And they, as usually colombians do, will find a creative solution to keep that precious 'treasure'. That's what I think the movie is about. By using the intelligence, cooperation and a good dose of sacarsm poor people can defeat the rich-powerful guys. In this case, this modest colombian film defeated the Hollywood empire for several weeks. Of course the dream was so short...!

This movie is one of the greatest in Colombian history, a true masterpiece!!! Not only is Sergio Cabrera a very resourceful director, but he is surrounded by a great cast of actors that include Fausto Cabrera, Víctor Mallarino and Florina Lemaitre. The story is fast-paced and hilarious, but at the same time it is dramatic and shows our reality. Bravo for this movie!!!

An excellent movie with a realistic magical story and great humor. It could well be the representation of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez story. I really recommend watching this movie. Sergio Cabrera does ana amazing job directing it and the cast is very good.

Well I enjoyed this movie is one of the best Colombian movies I saw, I dont agree with the guy from Canada, the important thing in this movie is the people and feelings, the characters are real, no special effects. Everything comes together at the end, its a good movie that shows the great courage of normal people, not Hollywood heroes with big guns.

During our winter season, the Perth Tango Club shows a South American movie every Friday before the regular dance session, and we have seen some excellent cinema this year, but this delightful film has been the highlight so far. Like one contributor here I found myself thinking of it as a Gabriel Garcia Marquez fable as I watched the plot steadily unwind, and like another I thought of the "subversive interruption of the abstracting powers of speculative capital", and "the socially disjunctive effects of capitalism" (I quote from that review). Indeed it had me wondering why we as human society continue to allow the anti-social rich to mess with our lives so much. But that's politics, and the movie was far more about the power of the human spirit than it was about making a political statement, and the young left-wing politico in the group got very firmly told to just stop the slogan-bashing and get on with the vital work at hand. The emptiness of the rich man's painted house was the final message of this lovely fable. Beautifully shot, with no special effects to distract from the power of the acting. I couldn't fault it. 10/10

This movie is the first and best in a new era of film-making in Colombia; it started it: the era of good movie-making. This story is about real people, a window perhaps to the clichés of what people might think a part of our country and our people are like, but from our own point of view, which gives it an undeniable touch of authenticity. This film is finally about solidarity, which is one universal value we humans tend to appreciate. It might not be the reflection of our whole reality, but it makes a beautiful and warm portrait of a side of it, and of some values that can always be enjoyed. Very good, sincere performances; a captivating story, and a clever ending. This is by far the best movie ever made in Colombia.

La Estrategia del Caracol is one of the best movies I have ever seen... If you didn't like it is because you didn't understand the point of the movie. In a few words it's all about people and the way they protect what's theirs. Everything is beautiful in this movie, the actors, each one of the characters, the director, the script, everything. So go to see it, is a good invest.

This movie really is a masterpiece of Colombian cinema. Telling this simple story it involves the viewer in the life of the people renting rooms in this house for more than 20 years (which by law makes them owners) and how they all work together to get out of the situation when they have to evacuate it.

In a very dramatic and quite depressed background the director is able to tell a story that makes laugh and that, with an unexpected ending, brings the best conclusion I have ever seen. It shows the positivism of Colombian people and how even in the worst situation, there is always a way out.

Totally recommended!

movie director sergio cabrera sticks to the usual cultural cliches we are accustomed to (abject poverty and blinding wealth), but misses the whole point (or in this case a credible solution to "eviction") by about a thousand kilometers. there is no plot, and if there is it is totally indifferent with the reality the director's countrymen (his obvious inspiration) face everyday.

La estrategia del caracol is a precious tale, like one of those G.G. Marquez usually writes. There is a kind of magic realism on it, so we see a world that is not exactly as the real one, but is quite similar. The whole film, in my opinion, is a metaforic view of the society, represented by the house. The people living there have to learn to live altogether, despite their differences, and fight together to face a great danger: The destruction of their home.

After using as many legal tricks as possible, there is only one solution, proposed by a former Spanish civil war fighter. But this solution means work, and everybody must work with his neighbours, doing as much as possible and receiving everything needed in exchange. During the work, they act as a team, as a real society; and some anarchist little dreams can come true, although, as Jacinto (the Spanish exiliate)says "it´s autumn in Spain". Nowadays, I´m afraid it´s already winter.

I'm a foreigner who watched this movie to learn Spanish. I was specifically interested in a Colombian film because I've heard that the Colombian accent is very neutral and nice-sounding in Spanish, so I should try to learn speaking it like the Colombians.

-> The plot: not very interesting, but definitely revealed various problems that are a part of Latin American society.

-> Colombian culture: this movie taught me a lot about Colombian culture: what's right, what's wrong, how people live, what the govt.'s like, etc.

-> Spanish: I watched this movie with English subtitles, so I didn't learn many (if any) individual Spanish words, but I did learn about how it's generally spoken, the rhythm, the styles, and a lot of other stuff.

In short, this movie will not be very interesting to watch (especially if you're a foreigner), but it taught me a lot about the culture and was worth it.

HOWEVER, if you're interested in Colombian culture you need to remember that this movie was released more than two decades ago! Colombian culture and society has obviously changed a lot since then. So, remember that while watching it, obviously! Bon voyage!

FIRST: Let us FOCUS on the Titles's Content and Context....´

As to whether or not CARACOL is the BEST Colombian film ever made is certainly open to debate. But that it is, undoubtedly, far and away my personal favorite is not!

It's probably safe to say that many countries celebrate their regional and class cultural differences. Colombia obsesses over them! If you are relatively unfamiliar with said differemces...there is no better way to introduce yourself than via this delicious example of late 20th Century Colombian film-making (1993).

CARACOL is an unrivaled showcase for Colombian talent. Sergio Cabrera directs, masterfully, and also doubles as script-writer. And what a superb and nuanced work he has crafted! Those of you who speak fluent Spanish will, undoubtedly, be able to savor the semantic texture and subtleties Cabrera applies so skillfully!

If ever there were a film tailor-made for the "Lost in Translation" Syndrome, I'm sure ESTRATEGIA is it! (To be honest, I have seen it a number of times in its original Spanish, so this is a supposition on my part, but I'm sure CARACOL does not lend itself, in the least, to translation!)

There is an underlying Universal theme, which people from every country on earth, who have ever felt the overwhelming sense of frustration and impotence that is an inevitable byproduct of battling a lethargic, glacier-paced bureaucracy, certainly can identify with! Undoubtedly, almost all of us have experienced moments such as these in our lives!

The cast is composed of some of the very best Colombia had to offer in the 1990's, so much so, that looking through the cast credits is pretty much a "Who's Who" of Colombian acting talent! Fausto Cabrera, Sergio's father, was born in Spain and was 71 when CARACOL was shot. Frank Ramirez, (Condores No Entierran Todos los Dias/A Man of Principle) has also appeared in a few American TV Series; Vicki Hernandez, practically a household name in Colombia, had a small role in PROOF OF LIFE (2000).

So as to not cross the "Spoiler" threshold, let me say that the final scene has one of the greatest tag lines/Punch lines I have ever seen in any film in Spanish. Sadly, it is hard for me to envision any possible translation that would have the same impact on English speaking viewers.... But Please don't let this stop you from getting your hands on a copy for viewing! CARACOL is a real "Must See" for all Citizens of the WORLD!!!

*10* Bureaucracy ladened hurdles STARS*

....ENJOY! / DISFUTELA!

Any comments, questions or observations, in English o en Español, are most welcome!...

Excellent, funny, interesting and a good portrait of Colombian society. If you understand Spanish or can find the film with subtitles, make sure to watch it!

If La Estrategia del Caracol was bought by Netflix or launched today in 2020, it would surely become as popular as Parasite. Amazing example of good Latin American cinema.

This is a story Colombians feel as their socio-cultural heritage, so many individual stories inside a bigger one. Excellent performances from Victor Mallarino, Florina Lemaitre and the late Frank Ramirez. It left a key message inside "no matter how dark the future is, we'll endure by creativeness".

This film was premiered first in Germany regarding the trans gender topic but it wasn't the central theme, but the fact is about indifferent landlords and their economic interests above the less favored people who must survive day by day.

It's also about a downtown Bogotá that doesn't exists anymore, because it portrays the old palace of justice, destroyed by a guerrilla now gone in times where bureaucracy was at hand, but serves well to the purpose of the residents of an old house. It also gives a description of the religious idiosyncrasy from Colombia that helps the movie to develop. I strongly recommend it, because is a story which situations could be common to development countries.

The Snail's Strategy is, at least, one of the best productions that Colombian filmmaking has produced in recent times. It is the living example of Colombian society, its behaviors, attitudes and above all, the methodical way in which comedy tells a dramatical story, something so common in any Colombian life, in the film is retracted to perfection . And not only in the Colombian context, his narrative is applicable to many Latin American situations at the end of the 20th century. Highly recommended

Olombia movie of all times. Most see list for sure

I think it's not that bad. I agree, it's a must see movie talking about Colombian cinema, I think it has had a Cannes award!! The real thing that one has to see in the movie is that Colombian people don't give up! Never ever! We always find a way to get what we want, even if is not the best one. That's what this movie is about, no matter how bad the things are going, there's something else that rests ---HOPE!

La estrategia del caracol by ex-combatant, Sergio Cabrera, is one of few Colombian films of the 1990s that will be remembered as a national cinematic classic by future generations. It documents the literal eruption into visibility of a community of working-class characters dislodged from their dwelling in the historic centre of Bogotá, their subversive interruption of the abstracting powers of speculative capital, and their recovery of voice within local representational systems.

The film combines humour with a critique of social injustice, whilst at the same time offering a model of how working-class bonds can be maintained in the face of the socially disjunctive effects of capitalism. Thus, as well as offering a hilarious portrait of police inefficiency, it offers serious meditations on 'la injusticia de la justicia', and takes a stance against those who perceive violence as the sole means to resist social injustice. Colombian history may have reduced many dreams to rubble; but as the film shows, no one is going under without defending their dignity to the very end.

One of the best Colombian movies in history, an impressive master piece that lets us understand the differences in Colombian society as well as the humor in the darkness of how community work.

The director creates an interconnected web of characters with different goals that merge with the necessity of a space to live when the antagonist wants to take them away to build a new place that will take them away from their home.

It incredible the ending when they all work together to change the system and move to a new place with the entire house, piece by piece.

It lets view the way Colombian society understands it self.

This isn't the best colombian film ever made, as other people seem to state on this page, that might've been the case many years ago, not today. I say that not having watched many colombian films myself, but the thing is you just can't genuinely believe that after 30 years the bar hasn't been raised.

The acting is good and there's some memorable moments, cinematography wise this is more like a telenovela, the pacing is fast and chaotic and there's no tension buildup, but the plot is dragged too much and some interactions are quite flat.

I wouldn't deem it terrible but by no means the best, it's okay.

I think it's a great movie. Sergio Cabrera shows another perspective of poverty while showing a funny point of view of a group of poor people fighting against a mafia man. Sergio shows that when people join they may get a relief from normal life and that's very important when you live in a poor country like colombia. Besides, The movie shows the whole thinking of poor people in many distinct areas like religion, loyalty, love, etc.