AllMovie

Director Juan Mora Catlett offers a lavish take on the tale of a 16th Century Purépecha woman whose bravery in standing up to the invading Spanish conquistadors made her a national icon. As invading forces took advantage of internal strife to divide and conquer by exploiting discord among the natives, one woman refuse to stand idly by and watch her country be picked apart. Though Mexican women were prohibited in actively engaging in warfare, Eréndira fought, and though the natives saw horses as terrifying beasts, Eréndira boldly learned to ride a Spanish steed. It was through her bravery in conquering such a formidable creature that Eréndira earned the respect of the tribal leaders, and eventually came to be seen as an undying symbol of resistance and cultural preservation.