La Bamba

1987
15
1h 48m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

37K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer1:42

3 Videos

83 Photos

Biography Drama Music

Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

37K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins & 3 nominations

Videos3

Trailer 1:42

La Bamba: 30th Anniversary

LA BAMBA (UK Dual Format Release) Trailer

Photos83

+ 75

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
According to Lou Diamond Phillips in the VH1 documentary Behind the Music The Day the Music Died (1999), Ritchie Valens' sister was on the set the day they shot the "coin toss" scene, in which Ritchie wins the chance to fly on the plane with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. Ritchie's sister began to weep uncontrollably during shooting. When Phillips tried to console her, she hugged him and sobbed "Why Ritchie? Why did you get on the plane?"

Goofs
While the scene is true about the coin toss between Ritchie and a member of Buddy's band, Ritchie Valens was not sick as seen in the movie. The Big Bopper was. He begged Holly's band mate (and future country music star) Waylon Jennings for the chance to ride on the plane because he was coming down with the flu. The coin toss took place between Ritchie Valens and Tommy Allsup.

Quotes
Ritchie Valens: My mom reckons I'm going to be a star. And stars don't fall from the sky.

Crazy credits
Caption starting off the music credits: "We greatfully acknowledge the help and support of the Valenzuela family".

Connections
Edited into Quantum Leap: All-Americans - November 6, 1962 (1990)

Soundtracks
Rip It Up
Words & Music by John Marascalco & Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell (as Robert A. Blackwell)
Performed by Los Lobos
Courtesy of Slash Records
Produced by Steve Berlin

User reviews102

Review

Featured review

7/10

Oh,what could have been

Ritchie Valens was a young,vibrant rock and roll star.At 17,he could already write songs,sing,and was an absolute wizard with a guitar.I'm too young to remember the real Valens,but when I think of him,as well as other stars who died tragically young,I can't help but wonder what might have been.This young man was only getting started in his stardom when he was cut down all too soon in the same plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.This film did a great job of bringing the legend of Valens back to life if only for a couple of hours.Lou Diamond Phillips gave the performance of his career here,as Valens,even though he didn't really look much like the real man in my opinion.Being the role he is best known for,I'm sure it is also one he has tried to escape from in the 15 years since its' release.As far as historical accuracy,I have heard discrepancies as to how the story really went,but you know Hollywood,things always have to be spiced up just a little.Overall,this movie is great fun,especially for old rock and roll enthusiasts such as myself.Thumbs up!