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La Bamba

La Bamba

Born into poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American dream.

19877.31h 48m

Overview

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.

Directed by Luis Valdez
Written by Luis Valdez
Produced by Bill Borden, Taylor Hackford
Box OfficeBudget: $6.5MRevenue: $54.2M

Top Cast

Lou Diamond Phillips

Lou Diamond Phillips

Ritchie Valens

Danielle von Zerneck

Danielle von Zerneck

Donna Ludwig

Elizabeth Peña

Elizabeth Peña

Rosie Morales

Rosanna DeSoto

Rosanna DeSoto

Connie Valenzuela

Esai Morales

Esai Morales

Bob Morales

Joe Pantoliano

Joe Pantoliano

Bob Keane

M

Marshall Crenshaw

Buddy Holly

Brian Setzer

Brian Setzer

Eddie Cochran

D

Daniel Valdez

Lelo

H

Howard Huntsberry

Jackie Wilson

Themes & Keywords

rock 'n' rollbiographydeathdying youngnostalgicmexican americanmarital rape1950sromantic

About La Bamba

La Bamba is a drama, music film released in 1987 exploring themes of rock 'n' roll, biography, death, dying young, nostalgic, mexican american. Directed by Luis Valdez, it stars Lou Diamond Phillips, Danielle von Zerneck, Elizabeth Peña. Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.

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