Rent Lino Brocka: Two Films (1976)

3.8 of 5 from 76 ratings
3h 40min
Rent Lino Brocka: Two Films (aka Manila in the Claws of Light (1975) / Insiang (1976)) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
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Synopsis:
Filipino director Lino Brocka was a force of nature in world cinema, his powerful work illuminating the harsh social realities of life in his home country. His films have been largely unavailable, but now, thanks to Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project, his two finest works have been rescued from obscurity and restored in 4K. A fascinating portrait of life in Manila's corrupt, teeming urban jungle, 'Manila in the Claws of Light' finds Julio, a 21-year-old rural fisherman, arriving in the Filipino capital to look for his girlfriend. Robbed of his cash, he struggles to survive, drifting through the city in search of his beloved.
'Insiang' is the story of a girl who, having been raped by her mother's boyfriend, seeks comfort in the arms of her would-be suitor, Bebot. Finding him little better than her attacker, she is forced to return home where she sets about exacting her revenge.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Victor Diendo, Lily Gamboa Mendoza, Abelardo Reyes, , Julie De Guzman
Directors:
Producers:
Mike De Leon, Severino Manotok Jr., Ruby Tiong Tan
Writers:
Edgardo Reyes, Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr, Mario O'Hara, Lamberto E. Antonio
Aka:
Manila in the Claws of Light (1975) / Insiang (1976)
Studio:
BFI Video
Genres:
Classics, Drama, Romance
Countries:
Philippines
BBFC:
Release Date:
20/03/2017
Run Time:
220 minutes
Languages:
Filipino Dolby Digital 1.0
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Mixed
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • A Filipino Film (Mike de Leon, 1975, 23 mins): fascinating making-of documentary featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
  • Manila Stills and Collections Gallery
  • Visions Cinema: Film in the Philippines (Ron Orders, 1983, 40 mins): Tony Rayns interviews Lino Brocka and other prominent Filipino directors
  • Signed: Lino Brocka (Christian Blackwood, 1987, 84 mins): award-winning feature-length documentary exploring the director's life and work
  • The Guardian Lecture: Lino Brocka in conversation with Tony Rayns (1982, 62 mins, audio only)
Disc 1:
This disc includes the following:
- Manila in the Claws of Light (1975)
- Special Features
Disc 2:
This disc includes the following:
- Insiang (1976)
- Special Features
BBFC:
Release Date:
20/03/2017
Run Time:
220 minutes
Languages:
Filipino LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Mixed
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • A Filipino Film (Mike de Leon, 1975, 23 mins): fascinating making-of documentary featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
  • Manila Stills and Collections Gallery
  • Visions Cinema: Film in the Philippines (Ron Orders, 1983, 40 mins): Tony Rayns interviews Lino Brocka and other prominent Filipino directors
  • Signed: Lino Brocka (Christian Blackwood, 1987, 84 mins): award-winning feature-length documentary exploring the director's life and work
  • The Guardian Lecture: Lino Brocka in conversation with Tony Rayns (1982, 62 mins, audio only)
Disc 1:
This disc includes the following:
- Manila in the Claws of Light (1975)
- Special Features
Disc 2:
This disc includes the following:
- Insiang (1976)
- Special Features

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Reviews (2) of Lino Brocka: Two Films

Dreams for Sale, Bruises Thrown In - Lino Brocka: Two Films review by griggs

Spoiler Alert
08/06/2025

A strange, heady mix–part searing social realism, part noir-ish urban tragedy. Manila in the Claws of Light drops you straight into the grime and graft of 1970s Manila, where hope is rationed, and dreams are up for sale. Some scenes feel timeless, others a bit staged or clearly of their era, but the overall mood is haunting.


It reminded me of mid-century Japanese cinema–The Life of Ohara, Red Beard, Women of the Night–films that quietly observe suffering rather than sensationalise it. The pacing is slow, sometimes punishing, but builds to something raw, poetic and human.


By the end, I felt like I’d walked those streets myself–bruised, heavy, and strangely moved. It’s not always subtle, and some the acting leans theatrical, but a quiet fury hits hard here. Gritty, tragic, and well worth the journey–even if it leaves you winded.


1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Brilliant discoveries! - Lino Brocka: Two Films review by CP Customer

Spoiler Alert
28/04/2020

Both these films are solid gold revelations if, like me, you have never seen any of Lino Brocka's movies.

'Insiang' is the tighter of the two and is simply stunning, a revenge tragedy packed with haunting images and set in the poorest shanty town in Manila. The film is intoxicatingly sensual and visceral, from the shocking abattoir opening scene onwards.

The sexual candour in both films is refreshing and honest.

'Manila in the Claws of Light' (what a great title) is more sprawling and picaresque, but we are never in any doubt that Brocka's sympathies are with the poor, the downtrodden and the desperate.

I only hope that more of Brocka's films can be made available.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

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