And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself

A legendary Mexican revolutionary whose deeds become cinema-ready myth. He pushes for authenticity but remains wary of misrepresentation, balancing revolutionary ideals with the pressures of fame and narrative control. His presence drives the production's stakes and moral questions about how heroes are portrayed on screen.

An observant studio executive who starts as an errand boy and rises to shepherd the project. He navigates creative conflicts, romance, and the pragmatics of financing, gradually confronting the ethical costs of turning history into entertainment. His arc centers on the tension between ambition and responsibility.

Villa’s Jewish-American lieutenant who helps marshal interest from American studios. He acts as a bridge between revolutionary history and Hollywood’s commercial needs, weighing loyalty to Villa against the demands of the film industry. His perspective exposes the complexities of backing a controversial, war-torn figure.

A younger actor portraying a younger version of Villa, embodying the film’s echo of the past. He represents the casting of history as performance and the way actors can shape a legend through portrayal. His role intertwines with the production’s drive for dramatic resonance.

A rising star in the production who brings warmth and vitality to the set. Her romance with Thayer highlights the human cost and personal life entangled in a project that aims to immortalize a legend. She embodies cinema’s ability to infuse humanity into grand historical narratives.

A renowned director who becomes a financier for the project, shaping its scope and dramatic direction. His involvement marks a joining of classic cinema authority and modern studio ambition, guiding how the story is carved into a sweeping epic. He stands as a gatekeeper of cinematic mythmaking.

Mutual Film Studios boss driving the financial backing for the epic. He represents the commercial force behind early Hollywood productions, weighing potential profits against the ethical implications of how history is staged for audiences. His decisions steer the project toward a massive, marketable spectacle.

A figure within the production circle who occupies a behind-the-scenes role in the film’s development. He embodies the administrative and political machinery that keeps a large-scale historical epic moving, often balancing conflicting priorities of accuracy, publicity, and profit.