La Bamba (1987) La Bamba

La Bamba ★★★ 1987 (PG-13) A romantic biography of the late 1950s pop idol Ritchie Valens, concentrating on his stormy relationship with his half-brother Bob (Morales), his love for his WASP girlfriend Donna (Von Zerneck) for whom he wrote a hit song, and his tragic, sudden death in the famed plane crash that also took the lives of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. Soundtrack features Setzer, Huntsberry, Crenshaw, and Los Lobos as, respectively, Eddie Cochran, the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, and a Mexican bordello band. 99m/C VHS, DVD. Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Danielle von Zerneck, Joe Pantoliano, Brian Setzer, Marshall Crenshaw, Howard Huntsberry, Rosanna Desoto, Elizabeth Pena, Rick Dees; Director: Luis Valdez; Writer: Luis Valdez; Writer: Adam Greenberg; Cameo: Miles Goodman, Carlos Santana.

At-a-glance
Year Released 1987
Rating PG
Length (in minutes) 99
Display Color
Formats VHS, DVD
National Film Registry
Credits
Role Name
Actor Danielle von Zerneck
Actor Elizabeth Pena
Actor Joe Pantoliano
Actor Lou Diamond Phillips
Actor Esai Morales
Actor Rosanna Desoto
Actor Rick Dees
Actor Brian Setzer
Actor Marshall Crenshaw
Actor Howard Huntsberry
Cameo Miles Goodman
Cameo Carlos Santana
Cinematographer Adam Greenberg
Director Luis Valdez
Writer Luis Valdez