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Historical drama

Dance of the Forty One (2020): Cast & Ratings

Dance of the Forty One (2020) movie poster

Dance of the Forty One is a 2020 historical drama directed by David Pablos, starring Fernando Becerril as Porfirio Díaz, Mabel Cadena and Rodrigo Virago. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes. Its Echo Score is 72/100.

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Dance of the Forty One (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Director
David Pablos
Genres
History , Drama
Original language
Spanish
Studio
Canana
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dance of the Forty One About?

The premise of Dance of the Forty One without spoilers.

Mexico City, November 1901. The police raid a private home where a secret party is being held. Among those attending is the son-in-law of President Porfirio Díaz.

Dance of the Forty One Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gay orgy
  • homophobia
  • gay
  • gay man marries a woman
  • gay kiss
  • gay party
  • gay love
  • male frontal nudity
  • male nudity
  • homosexual orgy
  • gay affair
  • homosexuality
+38 more
  • female nudity
  • first gay kiss
  • mexican president
  • orgy
  • husband wife relationship
  • unhappy marriage
  • infidelity
  • angry wife
  • mexico city
  • gay interest
  • homosexual
  • closeted homosexual
  • gay husband
  • gay sex
  • gay slur
  • gay relationship
  • arrested for homosexuality
  • senos desnudos
  • female pubic hair
  • female topless nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • closeted gay
  • anal sex
  • indigenous mexican woman
  • porfirio diaz
  • party
  • jail
  • goat
  • dance
  • male full frontal nudity
  • male pubic hair
  • mexican history
  • smokescreen
  • real life event
  • police raid
  • scandal
  • costume party
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Cast & crew

Dance of the Forty One Cast & Characters

Fernando Becerril leads the cast as Porfirio Díaz, with Mabel Cadena as Amada Díaz and Rodrigo Virago as Felix Díaz. Directed by David Pablos; 21 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dance of the Forty One

· 17 more
Show all 21 cast members
From the director

More from David Pablos

More films directed by David Pablos, best-rated first: Dance of the 41, The Chosen Ones, The Life After and The Song of the Dead Children.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dance of the Forty One Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

72 /100

Dance of the Forty One Echo Score Breakdown

Dance of the Forty One offers a visually striking reconstruction of a historic scandal, backed by high‑quality production values and a sincere attempt to illuminate early 20th‑century Mexican LGBTQ+ experiences. While the cinematography, costumes, and set design receive consistent acclaim, the narrative structure and character development suffer from uneven pacing and occasional cliché. Performances range from compelling to wooden, creating a mixed emotional impact. The film succeeds as a cultural artifact but falls short of a fully engaging drama, resulting in a solid but imperfect overall impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film excels in costume design, location authenticity, and cinematography, which many reviewers highlight as beautiful and immersive. Critiques focus on a perceived lack of directorial originality and occasional over‑reliance on homage, as well as uneven editing. Overall, the artistic execution is strong, though not uniformly innovative, leading to a high but not flawless rating.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When evaluating acting and character depth, performances receive both praise and criticism. Lead actors are described as compelling and nuanced by several viewers, yet other reviewers note wooden delivery and two‑dimensional portrayals, especially for the male protagonist. The emotional resonance is hindered by some cliché depictions, resulting in a balanced view that places character work in a moderate range.

  • Story & Flow 60

    The film's narrative coherence and pacing generate mixed reactions. Some find the historical drama compelling and the story engaging, while others describe it as confusing, uneven, and reliant on melodramatic tropes. The plot's structure and originality are questioned, leading to a middling assessment of the story aspect.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Sensory elements—particularly the soundtrack, sound design, and visual style—are consistently lauded. Reviewers commend the musical score, atmospheric soundscape, and striking visual composition, which together enhance immersion. Few criticisms emerge in this domain, justifying a high score for sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch potential is viewed positively by many who appreciate the film's historical significance and production quality, recommending it for further viewings. However, narrative flaws and uneven character work reduce repeat appeal for some audiences. Consequently, the film holds a respectable but not stellar rewatch factor.

Videos

Dance of the Forty One Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dance of the Forty One.

Netflix Official Trailer

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FAQ

Dance of the Forty One FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Dance of the Forty One, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dance of the Forty One?

Dance of the Forty One runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Dance of the Forty One released?

Dance of the Forty One was released on November 19, 2020.

Who directed Dance of the Forty One?

Dance of the Forty One was directed by David Pablos.

More films by David Pablos

Who is in the cast of Dance of the Forty One?

Dance of the Forty One stars Fernando Becerril as Porfirio Díaz, Mabel Cadena as Amada Díaz and Rodrigo Virago as Felix Díaz, among 21 credited actors.

Does Dance of the Forty One have a post-credit scene?

No. Dance of the Forty One has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Dance of the Forty One in?

The original language of Dance of the Forty One is Spanish.

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