Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez

Play trailer American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez 2026 1h 32m Documentary Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 11 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
From founding a revolutionary theater troupe alongside César Chávez to bringing the Mexican American experience to mainstream America with Zoot Suit and La Bamba, Luis Valdez has become the godfather of Chicano theater and film, breaking boundaries and expanding America’s story.

Critics Reviews

View More
Monica Castillo RogerEbert.com 1d
Alvarado’s documentary turns into a defiant reminder of our past struggles, a celebration of our successes and progress, and a call to remain proud of one’s roots. Go to Full Review Jordan Mintzer The Hollywood Reporter Jan 23
Understanding the life and work of Luis Valdez is a way to broaden one’s understanding of what it means to be American, perhaps now more than ever. Watching this enlightening and entertaining documentary is a good way to start. Go to Full Review Carlos Aguilar Variety Jan 23
As much as the doc is explicitly celebratory, its existence is inherently a political statement, just like Valdez’s oeuvre. To spotlight a Mexican American pioneer who still stands proud in all the nuances of his identity feels necessarily defiant. Go to Full Review Sean P. Means The Movie Cricket 1d
3.5/4
Director David Alvarado presents an exuberant biographical portrait of a truly original storyteller. Go to Full Review Lena Wilson The Playlist 5d
C
David Alvarado's documentary is inventive and engaging as it enumerates the artist and activist's early life and professional accomplishments — it just doesn't tell viewers much else about him. Go to Full Review Rosa Parra The Latino Slant Jan 26
9/10
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez is a daring Chicano documentary that explores the life of a director who is considered the godfather of Chicano cinema. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

View All

David Alvarado

Director

Taylor Hackford

Self

Cheech Marin

Self

Lou Diamond Phillips

Self

Rose Portillo

Self

Linda Ronstadt

Self
View All

American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez

View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis From founding a revolutionary theater troupe alongside César Chávez to bringing the Mexican American experience to mainstream America with Zoot Suit and La Bamba, Luis Valdez has become the godfather of Chicano theater and film, breaking boundaries and expanding America’s story.
Director
David Alvarado
Producer
David Alvarado, Lauren DeFilippo, Everett Katigbak, Amanda Pollak
Screenwriter
David Alvarado, David Alvarado
Production Co
Insignia Films
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 32m