Muslim .357

Muslim .357 (or Magnum Muslim .357) is a 1986 Philippine action film directed by and starring Fernando Poe Jr. as an undercover officer of the Philippine Constabulary.[1] The film was both a box-office and critical success, earning nominations from various award giving bodies in the Philippines, twice winning the Best Actor award for Poe's performance.[2] This is, along with Poe's earlier portrayal of a Muslim hero in Zamboanga (1966), endeared Poe even more to Muslim audiences who are known to be passionate about the outcome of Poe's movies story-wise.[3][4][5]

Muslim .357
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRonwaldo Reyes
Produced byAtty. Espiridion D. Laxa
Screenplay byFred Navarro
Story byAlfred M. Sunga
StarringFernando Poe Jr.
Music byErnani Cuenco
CinematographyVer P. Reyes
Edited byAugusto Salvador
Production
company
EDL Productions
Release date
  • 31 July 1986 (1986-07-31)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Plot

When his superior sends him to Manila to unmask a powerful syndicate, 1st Lt. Jamal Razul (Fernando Poe Jr.), an undercover cop, takes a job posing as the bodyguard of an influential police major. But when the syndicate's cronies uncover his motives, Jamal finds himself running for his life. Meanwhile, his Muslim faith has him doing everything in his power to avenge the deaths of two innocent teens who helped him conceal his true identity.[6]

Synopsis

1st Lt. Jamal Razul (Fernando Poe Jr.) is a Muslim undercover Philippine Constabulary officer, who is sent to Manila to help curb the runaway crime rate. Convinced of his abilities as an undercover agent, he is summoned by Lt. Col. Castro to assist in unmasking the head of a big and vicious syndicate.

In Manila, he is able to track down the warehouse where the syndicate drops off their illicit goods, but a firefight ensues. Razul survives and his anonymity still maintained, but is left wounded. Fortunately for Razul, two young boys (Christopher Paloma and Michael Roberts) found him and, along with their grandfather (Max Alvarado) and Razul's landlady (Vivian Foz), nurse him back to health.

After ascertaining the identity of one of the syndicate's high-ranking official, Frankie (Paquito Diaz), he applies for work as a hired hand in the syndicate. However, before Razul could begin work, he was exposed as an undercover agent and the roles are suddenly reversed - Razul now becoming the hunted instead of the hunter. Lt. Col. Castro advices him to return to Mindanao, but the syndicate would rather have him dead as he has already caused considerable damage to be let go scot free. Failing to silence him, they turned their ire on the two kids that helped him. They kill the two boys.

The killing strikes a sensitive chord in Razul, the Muslim in him surfaces and vows revenge on all the remaining members of the gang. He picks apart the members of the gang one by one until all that is left is Frankie. With the barrel of the eponymous Magnum .357 pointed at him, Frankie reveals the stronghold of the syndicate in Sta. Cruz, Manila. While surveiling the area, Razul discovers that the syndicate's protector is a senior official in the Philippine Constabulary, Capt. Rios (Eddie Garcia), who has up to that point assumed the leadership of the syndicate after eliminating the syndicate's former head (Jimmy Fabregas). Another firefight ensues which ends in a showdown between Razul and Rios, with the former emerging the survivor. Razul, having finished his mission and avenging the boys that have become unwitting victims in his mission, thanks Allah.

Cast
  • Fernando Poe Jr. as 1st Lt. Jamal Razul
  • Eddie Garcia as Capt. Rios
  • Vivian Foz as Dess
  • Paquito Diaz as Frankie
  • Eddie Arenas as Sgt. Alex Suarez
  • Max Alvarado as Imo
  • Romy Diaz
  • Vic Diaz
  • Ruel Vernal as Bert
  • Jimmy Fabregas as Jimmy
  • Augusto Victa
  • Ernie Zarate
  • Nick Lizaso
  • Vic Varrion
  • Rey Tomenes
  • Renato del Prado
  • Fernando Fernandez
  • Col. Juan Medalla (Ret.)
  • Lt. Col. Luis T. Castro as Himself
  • Rey Langit as Sgt. Bulusan
  • Christopher Paloma as Kikoy
  • Michael Roberts as Buknoy
  • Elvie Escaro
  • Vickay Torres
  • Rene Hawkins as Carding
  • Nonoy De Guzman
  • Belo Borja
  • Jess Vargas
  • Edward Torres
  • Eddie Tuazon
  • Mel Arca
  • Jimmy Reyes
  • Ernie David
  • Bert Garon
  • Joe Estrada
  • Buddy Dator
  • Eddie Samonte
  • Rey Valenzuela
  • Boy Sta. Maria
  • Renato Tanchingco
  • Efren Belardo
  • Telly Babasa
  • Emy Gutierrez
  • Eric Navarro
  • Mario Cavero
  • Pilo Puruganan
  • Lito Francisco
  • Boy Mediavillo
  • Bebot Davao
  • Jun Montano
  • Omay Rivera
  • George Wendth
  • Thunder Stuntmen

Remake

The film was remade in 2014 under the slightly modified title Muslim Magnum .357 with E.R. Ejercito in the title role and Francis "Jun" Posadas as the director.[7] The remake was an official entry into the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival and was dedicated to the memory of Fernando Poe Jr. which coincides with Poe's 10th death anniversary.[8]

Accolades
YearAward-Giving BodyCategoryRecipientResult
1987
FAMAS Awards[9]
Best ActorFernando Poe Jr.Won
Best PictureMagnum Muslim .357Nominated
Best DirectorRonwaldo ReyesNominated
Best Supporting ActorPaquito DiazNominated
Luna Awards[10]Best ActorFernando Poe Jr.Won

References
  1. Mortel, Tony S. (18 July 1986). "THEY DON'T WANT FPJ TO DIE IN HIS FILMS". Philippines Daily Express. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  2. Bardinas, Mary Ann (13 November 2018). "Mga pelikula ni FPJ na yumanig sa takilya". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  3. Ramos, NR (26 June 2017). "Behind the burqa". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  4. "Legend: FPJ Must Live!". PEP. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  5. De Veyra, Lourd (15 June 2017). "This Generation Will Never Understand the Impact of FPJ". Esquire Philippines. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  6. "MAGNUM .357". Rotten Tomatoes. 17 January 2006. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  7. Orosa, Rosalinda L. (19 December 2014). "MMFF 2014: ER pays tribute to FPJ in 'Muslim Magnum .357'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  8. Fernando, Jeff (27 December 2014). "Er Ejercito pays tribute to his ninong FPJ with 'Magnum Muslim 357' Movie". Star Studio. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  9. "FAMAS Awards (1987)". IMDb. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  10. "FAP Awards (1987)". IMDb. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
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