The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada | 
| Director: Tommy Lee Jones
Actors: Tommy Lee Jones, Barry Pepper, Dwight Yoakam, January Jones, Julio Cedillo
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.94
Buy Used: $2.00
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Rating:  108 reviews
Sales Rank: 6107
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 99
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 121 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 14825
UPC: 043396148253
EAN: 0043396148253
ASIN: B000F8O2QU
Theatrical Release Date: February 3, 2006
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Tommy Lee Jones's directorial debut concerns a ranch hand who kidnaps his friend's corpse--along with a border patrolman--and takes it to be buried in Mexico.
Amazon.com
One of the most acclaimed films of 2005, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada marks the assured and worldly-wise directorial debut of veteran actor Tommy Lee Jones. While the majority of critics and Oscar -voters heaped praise upon the "gay cowboy" breakthrough of Brokeback Mountain, Jones delivered this equally resonant, elegiac study of male friendship in a Western setting, crafting a flawless parable of borderline existence on the border of Texas and Mexico. It is there, amidst some of the most beautifully bleak landscapes in recent American film, that Jones and screenwriter Guillermo Arriga (Amores Perros, 21 Grams) set their existential quest for meaning, focusing on the honor-bound commitment of Texas ranch foreman Pete (played by Jones with a heavy heart and deep moral conviction) to return the body of illegal Mexican immigrant ranch-hand Melquiades Estrada (played in flashback scenes by Julio Cedillo) to his preferred resting place in the Mexican wilderness. Estrada had been accidentally shot by Mike (Barry Pepper), a newly-arrived U.S. border patrolman, and Pete forces Mike to participate in his cross-country ritual of duty--a voyage of revenge and redemption that will change both men forever, and bring some semblance of meaning to the senseless death of Pete's good friend. In triumphant collaboration with cinematographer Chris Menges, Jones carefully instills his superior cast (including Dwight Yoakam, January Jones, and Melissa Leo) with the slow, desperate rhythms of lives on the border (of Texas and Mexico, and life and death), prompting many critics to draw praiseworthy comparisons to Sam Peckinpah's thematically similar 1974 drama Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia and the exquisite absurdities of Luis Bunuel. Whatever your own reaction might be, Three Burials is not a film to view or respond to lightly; there's humor and more than a bit of madness to this great, inquisitive film, but Jones is looking deeply into the soul of humankind, and he dares you to draw your own conclusions about the journey Pete and Mike have taken. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 103 more reviews...
 totally awesome. June 11, 2009
JohnC el Canadiense (Canada)
just got this and looked at it - was enthralled by the cultural crossplay depicted and the realism of the story. Most of the performances were impeccable - even the mall rat wife of the INS agent portrayed by Barry Pepper is acted down to a tee, and is a dead accurate portrayal of a bunch of people I know. I lent it on to my neighbor who has a Mexican wife and I'm sure they'll love it.
Being reasonably bilingual in Spanish & English I really enjoyed the mixed language conversations and if that's really the case in SW Texas i'll seriously consider visiting or wintering there. I did notice since I ran it in full screen mode that the surtitles for the hispanically challenged put up at the top of the screen were partially cropped and illegible in some cases. Next time - and there will definitely be one- I'll try running it in wide screen format.
The only annoying part is the single action Colt revolver protrayed on the "jacket" of the DVD. Tommy Lee Jones uses a Colt model 1911 semi-automatic which I understand is far more in character at least on the Mexican side of the border -as far as I know he never uses a revolver in the movie.
overall. a great flick- I can easily see it becoming a cult movie along the lines of Tremors
Fine Character Study/Road Movie March 28, 2009
R. Gawlitta (Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA)
This ambitious directorial effort from the talented Tommy Lee Jones is loaded with heart and substance. I enjoyed it a lot. Aside from the fine direction and some stunning cinematography, the cast is letter perfect. Mr. Jones himself centers the proceedings with command, with excellent support from Barry Pepper, Dwight Yoakam, January Jones, Melissa Leo and the wonderful Julio Cadillo. Indeed, Mr. Cadillo's role, seen only in flashback, presents a sweet character that is pivotal in understanding why the journey was so important. Very important lessons to be learned, told in a straightforward way, all leading to a memorable film experience. The DVD I watched had a commentary but no other extras. Also, subtitles were so far at the top of the screen that I couldn't often see them. The story tells itself pretty well, tho...
A hidden gem March 20, 2009
D. Henry (Fort Worth, TX USA)
Watched a portion of this movie on cable, and immediately sought out the DVD for purchase. I am not one to buy DVDs these days, especially with the efficiency in time and money of renting them, however with this movie I made the exception.
 Long Skinny Coprolite of a Movie February 19, 2009
Quiero Cafe (South Texas)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
If you enjoy the following, you will enjoy Tres Entierros:
- Shallow stereotypes
- Disjointed storytelling
- Plot lines that come from nowhere and go nowhere
- Long droughts of pointless frames
- Mysterious twists that mean nothing, add nothing, and are never explained
- White guilt
With 30 minutes to go I started hoping against hope that the killer from No Country would step in and relieve us of the relentlessly unlikable TL Jones and his white male torture victim. It wouldn't have made any less sense than the actual movie did and might have added that strange element some people call "interest".
Seriously, this was truly torture porn for all who feel oppressed by the white man. "Saw" movies are easier to watch than this carp. I guess it's made more PC by letting a white man do the torturing or something, but it's far less interesting. I mean, where are the Hills Have Eyes family when you need them. Descend Papa Jupe and cleanse the earth of these 2 poorly drawn characters! ANYTHING to salvage these 2 hours of my life.
Not that the characters back in town are any more appealing. These are the types of folk that Romero throws in an Of The Dead movie so you don't feel sorry when the zombs rip them to shreds. Unfortunately, the undead are nowhere to be seen. At least they could have added meaningful closure to the whole subplot about Evil White Man's wife. I mean, I defy any and all to tell me what her point was in the movie. At least the other slut gives Dwight and Tommy Lee something else to talk about.
And why is Dwight even here? Did they run out of budget for him? Did he have to go on tour before filming was finished? It was his effusive enthusiasm that got me to watch this turd in the first place. I hope he put half that much praise behind Panic Room because, not only is it a much better movie (contains interest) but he actually gets to be in the dang thing. As it was, I saw all his scenes just in the short clips he was promoting on talk shows. At least all his clothed scenes (unless that toupee counts as clothing).
I also really love the idea of two gringos, with valuables, riding around unmolested through Northern Mexico. Maybe you have to be from the area to know why that's hillarious. Or maybe the whole film is a tract put out by the Mexican tourism board. Mexicans come to America and we punch their women in the face, gut shoot the men with AR-15s, and then, even if we like ya we'll drag your corpse around the desert after filling it full of antifreeze. Gringos in Mexico meet up with friendly caballeros who give them free booze and bear meat. Come on down!
I forgot that there actually was one likable char in the movie - Levon Helm. Somewhat ironically, despite being the only person I did NOT want to see killed, he's the only character who actually wanted to be shot in the face. If only the others had shown such decency. As it is, I suspect that line was improvised by Levon as a way to get Tommy Lee to let him out of his contract to play the extremely dessicated corpse towards the end of the movie. Heck, anything, even live burial, would be acceptable to get away from Evil White Man's pathetic crybaby whinging and whining. Is it just coincidence that Barry Pepper also participated in the shameful Gutless German scenes in Private Ryan? Perhaps this is his atonement.
I don't know. Just don't pay attention to this thing. If you do, at least have the new remastered Lonesome Dove behind emergency glass as trauma relief and soul cleanser.
A friend indeed... February 2, 2009
M. S. Skidmore (Kinver, United Kingdom)
Tommy Lee Jones' sophomore effort (following his directorial debut THE GOOD OLD BOYS) is a wonderful movie of both beauty and complexity. Here we have a movie that works on so many different levels to deliver one of the finest american films in many a year.
Set on the border between Texas and Mexico, which is a hotspot for illegal crossings into the US, the movie unfolds as a simple tale of friendship. Ranch foreman Pete Perkins (played by Jones, on fine form) learning of the death of his mexican friend Melquiades Estrada (Julio Cesar Cedillo). Told with a non linear narrative - with the action moving back and forth, and scenes playing out in many a different order, the viewer is drawn into an absorbing film that follows a man's pain of losing his friend and what he will do to honor that friendship. Flipping the imigration angle on its head, Pete takes his dead friend back across the border to Mexico (instead of the other way round) where he can be at peace with his wife and family. However, accompanying Pete on his journey is Melquiades' murderer - Mike (played to perfection by Barry Pepper), a lost texas border patrolman, stuck in a loveless marriage and prone to fits of violent behaviour towards the illegally crossing mexicans - he must share the journey with Pete and seek redemption for his sins.
The film is as simple as that. A two hour trek across the border with Jones and Pepper, first at odds - then, at ease with each other. Its this simplicity and magnificent story telling that sets this film apart from any other. Beautifully shot, acted and written - this is a film of mood and metaphor. Relationships end and enemies become friends, people become stronger while others weaken and sometimes, police chiefs simply give up and go on vacation to Seaworld. Its that kind of movie.
The cast are excellent and Guillermo Arriags' screenplay is both sorrowful and life affirming. Jones as a director is equal to his talents as an actor - he really is that good. Taking time when it needs to and not letting the scenery overtake the story - this is a director at the top of his game and one can only look forward to what he has coming next.
Optimum's DVD is impressive. A superb transfer with all the usual assortment of extras - commentary and making of features. The 'making of' follows the movie through production and onto Cannes. All in all, a film of warmth and honesty, desperation and honour and well worth seeking out. Recommended.
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