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Alexa Vega, Michael Peņa, Yancey Arias, Laura Harring, Efren Ramirez ... see more see more... , David Washofsky , Holmes Osborne , Tim DeKay , Tonantzin Esparza , Bodie Olmos , A. Veronica Diaz , Jeremey Ray , Jonathan Hernandez , Fidel Gomez , Douglas Spain , Marisol Christomo-Romo , Germaine De Leon , Carmen Corral , David Devora , Jesse Garcia , Pablo Santos , Bruce French , Edward James Olmos , Austin Noah Marques , Walter Perez

Made for cable, Walkout is the true story of a little-known but profoundly significant moment in the history of the Latino community in East Los Angeles. In 1968, Lincoln High School honor student Pau... read more read more...la Crisostomo (Alexa Vega), outraged at the shabby treatment afforded Chicano students in the L.A. school system -- including habitually lowered expectations, poor facilities, a total absence of bilingual courses or textbooks, unfairly administered penalties for slight infractions, demeaning corporal punishment, and out-of-hand refusal to write letters of recommendation to choice colleges -- challenges the authority of her elders for the first time in her life by organizing a mass student walkout at five barrio high schools. Mentored by dedicated young teacher Sal Castro (Michael Pena), Paula and her fellow student activists intend to make their protest a peaceful one, but the L.A. cops typically use brute force to quell the "radicals." Even when it seems that the school board will capitulate to the Chicano students' demands, the kids are betrayed (there's an undercover police officer in their midst) and the leaders of the walkout are threatened with lengthy prison sentences on trumped-up "conspiracy" charges. It will not spoil the ending of the film to reveal that the students are ultimately successful; as directed by actor Edward James Olmos (who also plays one of the school board members), the dramatic thrust of the story is the lasting effect that the protest has on its participants -- especially the idealistic Paula Crisostomo. Executive producer Moctesuma Esparza, who'd been one of the original walkout organizers back in 1968, spent a full two decades getting this story on film; Esparza is played by Bodie Olmos, son of the director, while Esparza's daughter Tonantzin Esparza is seen as Vickie Castro. Also, Paula Crisostomo's daughter Marisol Crisostomo-Romo is seen as Mita -- and in addition, several of the former student activists are interviewed during the closing credits, or appear as extras in the crowd scenes. Produced for HBO, Walkout originally aired on March 18, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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81% liked it

973 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Edward James Olmos

Release Date: March 18, 2006

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DVD Release Date: March 6, 2007

Stats: 120 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (120)

  • Tomassgringo
    February 7, 2011
    Tomassgringo
    I know so little about the history of the Latin community in America. I enjoyed learning about this historic event. I wish a movie like this could more widely viewed by ALL Americans to help them understand the struggles of being a minority.
  • gator681
    June 23, 2008
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]Based on a true story, "Walkout" takes place in East Los Angeles in 1968 where Paula(Alexa Vega) is an A student set to graduate in a few months from Lincoln High School where she is one of the few expected to go to college. Still, she is unsure of her futur... read moree plans which is complicated by her father(Yancey Arias) not granting permission to attend the Chicano Leadership Conference in Malibu, which is advised by her history teacher, Sal Castro(Michael Pena). But her mother(Laura Harring) signs the permission slip anyway. It is there that she meets recruiters from local colleges, activists and students from other predominantly Chicano high schools in the city.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]One of the reasons why "Walkout" excels so well, is that it is not just Paula's story; it is the story of an entire community of high school students coming of age in a single moment. The movie takes its time to build to it, starting with small signs of de facto segregation and institutionalized racism which not only include the locked bathrooms and corporal punishment for speaking Spanish but also the students' ignorance of their heritage. In reacting against this, director Edward James Olmos starts his film about a forgotten piece of history by having Mr. Castro talk about Chicano history which the students are unaware of.(Is it any surprise that Ronald Reagan was governor of Califonia when this movie is set? It sure would explain the red baiting and the media manipulation...) Not only is education important for this reason, but also for the chance to attend college, so these students can have a better life than their parents while also avoiding dying in the senseless war of Vietnam.[/font]
  • ileo
    January 20, 2008
    ileo
    An extraordinary movie that marks the day of several characters' lives in the event of a protest.
  • brunolot1
    November 15, 2011
    brunolot1
    It was good because it shows the Hispanic students fighting for their rights, showing scenes such as the police beating them and an interview with the real guy in the end, but as a art movie was not very good. Acting was mediocre!
  • raiderhater3
    April 8, 2009
    raiderhater3
    This was a really good movie. i really enjoyed it. but im mexican and i would do the same as they did if i wasnt allowed to be what i am in school.
  • ForetoldGoldShineMysteries
    January 17, 2009
    ForetoldGoldShineMysteries
    Another great movie.
    People fighting for what they believe in no matter how powerful the force that stand between them and success is.
    Highly inspirational all the same.
  • reservourdogg
    April 17, 2008
    reservourdogg
    A powerful and moving film about standing up and fighting for what you believe in, no matter what the consequences may be. Everyone should see this.
  • googliebear1224
    July 13, 2007
    googliebear1224
    Everyone should see this. It shows how badly mexicans were (and still are in a way) treated to gain rights in a free country
  • cmhernandez
    March 19, 2007
    cmhernandez
    Great flick! This all happened close to our lifetimes...and the true story happens to take place in Rafael's high school in Los Angeles one year after he was born! Eye-opening & inspirational!

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Critic Reviews

Felix Vasquez Jr.
July 10, 2007
Felix Vasquez Jr., Film Threat

Director Edward James Olmos pulls off one hell of a stellar job directing this activist tale with flair and simplicity mingled within the story... Full Review

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