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IMDbPro

La Bamba

  • 19871987
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
33K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,103
1,754
La Bamba (1987)
Trailer for La Bamba: 30th Anniversary
Play trailer1:42
3 Videos
76 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Music
Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
33K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,103
1,754
  • Director
    • Luis Valdez
  • Writer
    • Luis Valdez
  • Stars
    • Lou Diamond Phillips
    • Esai Morales
    • Rosanna DeSoto
Top credits
  • Director
    • Luis Valdez
  • Writer
    • Luis Valdez
  • Stars
    • Lou Diamond Phillips
    • Esai Morales
    • Rosanna DeSoto
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 92User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos3

    La Bamba: 30th Anniversary
    Trailer 1:42
    La Bamba: 30th Anniversary
    La Bamba
    Trailer 1:22
    La Bamba
    LA BAMBA (UK Dual Format Release) Trailer
    Trailer 1:41
    LA BAMBA (UK Dual Format Release) Trailer

    Photos76

    Lou Diamond Phillips in La Bamba (1987)
    Lou Diamond Phillips and Danielle von Zerneck in La Bamba (1987)
    Grande
    La Bamba (1987)
    La Bamba (1987)
    La Bamba (1987)
    La Bamba (1987)
    La Bamba (1987)
    La Bamba (1987)
    La Bamba (1987)
    La Bamba (1987)
    La Bamba (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lou Diamond Phillips
    Lou Diamond Phillips
    • Ritchie Valensas Ritchie Valens
    Esai Morales
    Esai Morales
    • Bob Moralesas Bob Morales
    Rosanna DeSoto
    Rosanna DeSoto
    • Connie Valenzuelaas Connie Valenzuela
    • (as Rosana De Soto)
    Elizabeth Peña
    Elizabeth Peña
    • Rosie Moralesas Rosie Morales
    Danielle von Zerneck
    Danielle von Zerneck
    • Donna Ludwigas Donna Ludwig
    Joe Pantoliano
    Joe Pantoliano
    • Bob Keaneas Bob Keane
    Rick Dees
    Rick Dees
    • Ted Quillinas Ted Quillin
    Marshall Crenshaw
    • Buddy Hollyas Buddy Holly
    Howard Huntsberry
    • Jackie Wilsonas Jackie Wilson
    Brian Setzer
    Brian Setzer
    • Eddie Cochranas Eddie Cochran
    Daniel Valdez
    Daniel Valdez
    • Leloas Lelo
    Felipe Cantu
    • Curanderoas Curandero
    Eddie Frias
    • Chinoas Chino
    Mike Moroff
    Mike Moroff
    • Mexican Edas Mexican Ed
    Geoffrey Rivas
    Geoffrey Rivas
    • Rudyas Rudy
    Sam Anderson
    Sam Anderson
    • Mr. Ludwigas Mr. Ludwig
    Maggie Gwinn
    • Mrs. Ludwigas Mrs. Ludwig
    Jeffrey Alan Chandler
    Jeffrey Alan Chandler
    • Alan Freedas Alan Freed
    • Director
      • Luis Valdez
    • Writer
      • Luis Valdez
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Lou Diamond Phillips in the VH1 documentary The Day the Music Died (1999), Ritchie Valens' sister was on the set the day they shot the "coin toss" scene, in which Ritchie wins the chance to fly on the plane with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. Ritchie's sister began to weep uncontrollably during shooting. When Phillips tried to console her, she hugged him and sobbed "Why Ritchie? Why did you get on the plane?"
    • Goofs
      While the scene is true about the coin toss between Ritchie and a member of Buddy's band, Ritchie Valens was not sick as seen in the movie. The Big Bopper was. He begged Holly's band mate (and future country music star) Waylon Jennings for the chance to ride on the plane because he was coming down with the flu. The coin toss took place between Ritchie Valens and Tommy Allsup.
    • Quotes

      Bob Morales: [last line, in agony over his brother's death] RITCHIE!

    • Crazy credits
      Caption starting off the music credits: "We greatfully acknowledge the help and support of the Valenzuela family".
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: RoboCop/The Squeeze/Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs/Withnail and I (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Rip It Up
      Words & Music by John Marascalco & Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell (as Robert A. Blackwell)

      Performed by Los Lobos

      Courtesy of Slash Records

      Produced by Steve Berlin

    User reviews92

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Great biopic of a musical legend
    The life and times of Richie Valens, and well made to say the least. Lou Diamond Phillips really showed a lot of promise in this film, but poor choices later in his career hurt his rep in Hollywood. Nonetheless, this film is quite an achievement in regards to portraying a rock idol (which was far better than the dull Buddy Holly Story). What really made this film was the relationship between Phillips and Esai Morales. Never has a brotherly dynamic been portrayed so fluidly, displaying the sweet and sour sides of the two growing up. With the help of a great soundtrack, I really felt this film has a spirit which isn't displayed in biographies anymore. Nowadays, most films try too hard to show the downside, which is what this tried not to do. 7.5/10
    helpful•18
    6
    • Agent10
    • Jun 24, 2002

    FAQ1

    • Why does Connie show more favoritism toward Ritchie and leave Bob out of everything.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 24, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Let's Go
    • Filming locations
      • Fillmore, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • New Visions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $54,215,416
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,651,990
      • Jul 26, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $54,215,416
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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