Villa Rides

A pragmatic American pilot who crash-lands in Mexico. He uses his flying skills to influence events, teaching Villa and his men to fly and guiding aerial tactics, while also pursuing personal gain. His charm masks a calculating, morally flexible streak that fuels both alliance and deception.

Charismatic revolutionary leader who commands respect and fear. He treats his soldiers with rough camaraderie and mixes strategic ruthlessness with a flair for dramatic, almost theatrical displays of power. Villa’s ambitions—to seize Mexico City and shape the revolution—drive the action.

Villa’s loyal but brutal general who pushes his troops to the limit. He embodies the merciless pragmatism of revolutionary warfare, often testing men through deadly games and hard discipline. Fierro’s actions reveal the harsh costs of loyalty in war.

The daughter who endures rape and tragedy, becoming a focal point of Arnold’s attention and the film’s emotional core. Her vulnerability exposes the human cost of conflict and the search for solace amid chaos. Her presence anchors personal stakes within the revolution’s political theater.

The calculating military leader who manipulates events to solidify power. He arrests Villa and seeks to maintain favorable relations with the United States, using politics and force to shape the revolutionary outcome. Huerta represents the pragmatic, power-driven side of the conflict.

The revolutionary leader who meets Villa and becomes a key political interlocutor. He orchestrates strategic decisions and negotiates to forge a path toward capturing Mexico City. Don Luis embodies the political backbone of the insurgent movement.

The reformist president whose assassination marks a turning point in the revolution. He represents the fragile political experiment of democracy amid escalating conflict. His fate underscores the volatility of power during the era.

A military figure who participates in Villa’s operations and escapes in the chaos surrounding the revolution. He embodies the opportunistic and perilous nature of wartime loyalties. Ramirez’s actions illustrate how individual fates intertwine with larger military goals.