La ilegal (1979): cast, story & where to watch
1979 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1979, La ilegal is a drama film directed by Arturo Ripstein, running about 102 minutes.
What it’s about. Claudia Bernal arrived in the U.S., pregnant by her filmmaker lover, who sets her up with a beach-front house. After his wife finds out, he hires men to rape Claudia and photograph the act. She is arrested for prostitution as a result of the blackmail. Since she is an illegal alien, she is deported, but the child is sent to its father's custody. She is smuggled back into the U.S. and waits for the chance to snatch back her child.
Who’s in it. La ilegal stars Lucía Méndez as Claudia Bernal, Pedro Armendáriz Jr. as Felipe Leyva, Fernando Allende as Gabriel Ramirez and Cristina Moreno, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, La ilegal has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch La ilegal page.
If you liked it. Fans of La ilegal tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch La ilegal (1979)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for La ilegal change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is La ilegal worth watching?
- La ilegal holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in La ilegal?
- La ilegal stars Lucía Méndez, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Fernando Allende, Cristina Moreno and Gina Morett.
- When was La ilegal released?
- La ilegal was released in 1979, with a runtime of about 102 minutes.