Why NACHO LIBRE Is Peak Catholic Representation

Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez was born on May 9, 1945, in Hidalgo, as the sixteenth of seventeen children. At 22, while struggling with addiction, he pursued theological training in Rome and Spain. He taught philosophy and history at Roman Catholic universities in Mexico before becoming a secular priest. He founded an orphanage for 270 children but struggled to get funding. Inspired by two 1963 Mexican films about a priest who wrestles to support his orphanage, “Tormenta En El Ring” and “El Señor Tormenta”, Gutiérrez decided to become a masked luchador to support the orphanage financially. Wrestling under the name, Fray Tormenta or Friar Storm, Benítez would go on to have a two decade long career in the ring. In 2006, Jack Black teamed up with Jared Hess, the director of Napoleon Dynamite, to create a film that was loosely based on the story of Fray Tormenta titled “Nacho Libre”.
Music: • Religious Man (Mr Loco...
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[@JurassicLion2049]

I love how Jack Black intentionally speaks in the fake old Hollywood Mexican accent in a cast of nearly all Mexican actors who do have proper accents 😂

[@reidboggs4344]

@@JurassicLion2049 it is a perfect dumb movie.

[@CloneTrooper-yz2ov]

I thinks, that makes sounds dramatic and a bit of shownanship

[@AIGHT1111]

Nacho Libre is genuinely peak cinema

[@TheLonelyWolf1000]

Except for...that one scene.

[@bigboiariel]

@@TheLonelyWolf1000 especially that one scene

[@burnvictim1865]

@@bigboiariel the fat girl one?

[@nobodyhere8257]

@@bigboiariel Which scene is it? It's been a minute since I've seen Nacho

[@bigboiariel]

@@nobodyhere8257 probably when the fat lady is chasing Steven lol

[@dcamaag709]

Nacho libre was the only Mexican representation I ever needed as a small fat boy.

[@DEKANIEVES]

As a Mexican catholic, this movie is highly beloved and has a cult following in the entire country as the peak of comedy and one of the coolest and funniest representations of Luchador culture. And being catholic, I cant help it but appreciate more and more how the movie portrays his struggle in a lighthearted and comedic light. Nacho Libre is probably one of the best movies about the mission of becoming Christ-like.

[@dannylo5875]

There is a name that supports...it

[@misteroddstuff]

Nacho Libre is a pretty beloved movie in Mexico too, It was filmed in Oaxaca and a lot of the luchadores were real too (with different aliases) even Ramses was a Professional Luchador named Silver King

[@Sly_Maverick_19]

R.I.P. Silver King

[@Thor-Orion]

@@misteroddstuff holy smokes, Ramses is Silver King?! I remember him from WCW!

[@AngelRivera-de1lq]

All the white ppl got made cuz it was "racist." Meanwhile all the mexicans LOVED this movie. Felt like representation, nacho was like a superhero to me. Before was machete

[@queefcheif9306]

its small stuff like that, makes the film all the more better

[@thegunslinger8806]

If you watch the movie in Spanish, during the battle royal the guy who introduces the luchadores is actually famous CMLL color commentator "Rudo" Rivera who is unfortunately no longer with us but also famously narrated many of Fray Tormentas matches. Fray himself worked locally in his state of Oaxaca but was known more for his independent work since he had to keep his orphanage and mission running. I love his story and I'm glad someone figured out why Nacho Libre speaks to the rest of the world while in America its just seen as another comedy film.

[@quicoboy]

..."LOS RUDOS, LOS RUDOS, LOS RUDOS!!!"...lol..."GUACALA DE POLLO!"...thanks, Mr. Rivera...vaya con Dios!...

[@BanditoBurrito]

Kind of weird to denigrate America when it’s an American film but ok

[@Flame_Blaziken]

​@@BanditoBurrito What you don't understand is that most of the general audience in the US wouldn't understand why the movie has value outside of a basic understanding of the movie's story, comedy and action without being told about the history surrounding the movie or looking it up themselves. It's not about country superiority, rather just different experiences and values

[@Gojeto346]

@@BanditoBurritoI don’t think he’s tryna diss America at all, we just simply have such an abundance of movies that it was swept away with the times, while in other parts of the world they hold it in a higher regard as more of a classic. Meanwhile in America, a classic comedy would be Airplane, Step Brothers, Superbad etc. Nacho Libre is definitely beloved by Americans but I don’t think it’s a really big thing in the grand scheme of Hollywood.

[@francogiobbimontesanti3826]

@Gojeto346 In Brasil we also had a lot of American media that didn’t have a lot of success back home become cult classics here. Most of the Wayne brothers movies were watched by everyone under the age of 40. Afro American tv series are also really well known here. Everyone hates Chris is probably the most universally known tv series in the country, every one can quote it.

[@patrickconnolly8616]

Something that I didn't realize until I did HS wrestling is that Ignacio pins Ramses in a move called "the Crucifix"

[@choux8372]

That is badass!

[@ShinbrigTV]

I served my Mormon mission (now Ex-Mo) in the state where they filmed Nacho Libre (Oaxaca). The locals would talk about how friendly Jack Black and the director were to everybody.

[@WARPATH-sr5ci]

As a person who grew up in a Hispanic household that mainly practices Cothlosim, this movie was probably me and my grandmother's favorite movie to watch on occasion during movie night.

[@maronin5215]

Theres a video made by a mexican youtuber, apparently some stuck up priests ratted friar tormenta to the bishop, which had him judged in the Vatican. He was personally commended by the pope for his service to god and his orphans and granted exclusive rights to serve mass while on costume

[@ikengaspirit3063]

Link

[@RolyGuacamole]

Yeah link please. This would be dope to read

[@simondeep]

A fascinating moment of papal jurisdiction. Almost a movie in itself, an independent agent answering only to el papa.

[@connorscanlan2167]

I'm not even a Christian myself, but the faith of the main character and how it inspires him is just beautiful.

[@MercuryBlackN]

This is probably the only movie I cry at. The ending where he's about to lose when all of a sudden the nun and children show up to support him, reminding him in that crucial moment exactly why he has to prevail over the vain Ramses is so good.

[@smolsnek3835]

@@MercuryBlackN Dude, I thought I was alone 😭 the ending makes me tear up too. The story is laced with goofiness but it's still very real feeling

[@choux8372]

It speaks to our humanity, fighting earnestly for a noble cause.

[@joebrady1694]

No joke, i saw this video in my recommended and watched it, never seeing this film. I’m a catholic who has been struggling with my faith and you and this film have reignited that, genuinely, thank you.

[@hibbo1351]

I'm atheist. I've never struggled with faith because I don't use faith for anything. I do, however, demand sufficient evidence for outrageous claims. You should too. There are 800 billion planets in the Milky Way galaxy alone. Some 21 SEXTILLION in the observable universe. Why do some Earthlings think they're special?? Adn oddly enough, there are hundreds of sub-categories of 'special people'. Can't even get consensus on one lousy planet. Ask hard questions.....Or better yet, watch a video from Matt Dillahunty or Seth Andrews. Former hardcore Christians now hardcore atheists. They can explain their journey. Might be quite similar to yours...

[@rockoorbe2002]

@@hibbo1351 why do you support LGBTQS pervs?

[@mathewbaez1495]

God bless you. Ill be praying for you on your journey. -A brother.

[@hibbo1351]

@@mathewbaez1495 prayer doesn't work. Prove me wrong and start praying to God to have him cure kid cancer and if Saint Jude's Children's Hospital empties out then I'll jump on board your little Pagan cult train

[@hibbo1351]

@@mathewbaez1495 30,000 humans starve to death every day but you're going to pray for this guy who questions his faith. I wonder if Christians are even self-aware

[@laurenbashoura9575]

I’m a devout Catholic and in my family, we LOVE this movie. I get that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s definitely a very gross, juvenile sort of humor at times, but I think it has such a sincere charm to it that I didn’t feel when watching Napeopeon Dynamite years later. Ignacio’s faith is at the center of everything he does. You’d expect a movie like this to treat faith in a cynical, satirical light, and while some can certainly interpret some of the jokes/premise that way, I don’t think that’s what the movie really does. God is never the enemy, religion is never the oppressor. Ignacio believes that God will be with him and help him, even after he’s kicked out of the monastery. And Stephen eventually comes to believe this too! Although the other friars are antagonistic towards Ignacio and his goals, they aren’t punished in the end, they’re forgiven and lifted up, because they were never the true problem in the first place. The main “villain” in this film is, as you said, hedonism, celebrity worship, and the self-centeredness of the rich. It’s a beautiful reminder that we, as one family in faith, will always have our disagreements, our problems with each other, but in the end, God is our Father and we as His children share one heart and one goal. Sister Incarnacion is the vision of a perfect nun - pure, kind, gentle, and virtuous. If anything, Ignacio’s advances towards her are framed as juvenile and serve to show her resolve to live her vocation well (even if it is implied that she develops feelings for him in the end). Also, who among us has never had a crush on someone who was discerning the priesthood or religious life? Lol. It happens. Lastly, I think the way this movie is bathed in Mexican Catholic culture is just so beautiful and sweet. From Ignacio kissing the bust of Jesus (a joke, yes, but also, he didn’t forget to reverence the Lord when passing by something that reminded him of Him!), to the songs on the soundtrack, this movie makes faith feel like a warm, cozy, familiar thing, interwoven into every aspect of a person’s life. It’s so refreshing to see. I love Nacho Libre, and I’m so glad that you made this video!

[@calamaria9221]

I loved Nacho Libre as a kid too and I had no idea it was loosely based on a real person.

[@kennyrdskynyrd1101]

I love that this kind of story has become a trope with Mexican characters because it's genuinely so pure. My favorite example being King from the Tekken series who is a world famous Luchador who fights for the orphanage he runs. Even when the original King is killed in battle one of the orphans he raised takes up the mantle to pay for the upkeep of the orphanage

[@daneger4938]

random psychicpebbles scream got me dying

[@exudeku]

Hello Firewood, Im a Filipino, and the movie os my favorite Jack Black film because I saw this when I was 10 in Filipino Dub. We're majority Catholics, with other Christian churches and Muslims. Thank you for this beautiful essay vid and Luke.

[@baldomiropoopito812]

I don't care what some pompous self righteous critics say this movie is one of those films that made my childhood and taught me that being good doesn't always come from some law or dogma and that sometimes doing the right thing comes in many forms.

[@blueshellincident]

Chaotic Good

[@KM-uk2rt]

Real-- Jesus has always pressed focusing on the soul of the law when it comes to doing good, giving mercy and being just : )

[@agenttexas3334]

As a Texan Baptist, I can also agree it is a great movie. I might not be Catholic or Mexican, but it is genuinely a really great movie. This movie has many memorable lines that stick inside my head. I gain a great deal of nostalgia just watching it.

[@Joker22593]

It's not a valid baptism, but the intention is there. Ignacio is a great character. He shows how a man can grow in virtue despite difficult odds.

[@Joker22593]

I understand how a bishop might write a review like that. The "Napoleon Dynamite" style was quite new and confusing for most viewers. Most Catholics I know (including me) don't find the story offensive, especially because Ignacio puts aside his inappropriate feelings for Incarnacion and embraces proper love for her as a sibling in Christ.

[@unknown5150variable]

@@Joker22593 how are his feelings for her inappropriate?

[@thetacoman8234]

@@unknown5150variable she's a nun bro, they dedicate their lives only to Christ and are basically female monks

[@unknown5150variable]

@@thetacoman8234 thank you for the reply but I still don't see how that makes his feelings inappropriate. I could be wrong. I just dont think you can help who you get feelings for, it doesn't mean you have to act on them. But that's just my opinion, and like I said, I could be wrong. But thank you for taking the time to reply and explain. Enjoy the rest of your weekend 👍🙂

[@chrisyoung1576]

thanks for the movie recommendation man. gonna watch this with my family

[@EarthBoundBean]

It's a work of art, you and your family will love it 😌

[@de132]

13 year old me sobbed wholesome tears in art class watching Nacho Libre

[@phycofox858]

Cool anecdote Frey Tormenta was the priest who married Andrade and Charlette Flair

[@thegibbmiesters6046]

Love to see people really dive deep into nacho libre even though it is a very fun and unassuming movie it has a lot of interesting ideas in the movie

[@bola8cho594]

The last clip was of Frey Tormenta wrestling was a nice touch

[@pablothemenace]

this guy needs a bigger audience, great video guy

[@RolyGuacamole]

This movie means so much to me. It’s artistic on a cinematography level, it’s comedic, it’s deep with all his actions and beliefs, it’s over the top with the accents and as a Cuban Mexican I love this movie dearly. I had this on repeat so much as a kid. What a classic.

[@AntDoesStuff_]

Such an amzing video, please keep making more this was awesome

[@FirewoodMediaTV]

Thank you! Will do!!!

[@blazkowicz7879]

Its amazing how this movie it's so beloved here in mexico and represents with such respect our culture and the vibe of 70's mexican movies, its great The comedy, the characters and most importantly the heart!

[@WattoXtreme]

I’m an ex-catholic atheist, and have many problems with Catholicism, but I really appreciate this movie and your video here.

[@lorddarthvader6289]

I didn't expect the true story behind nacho libre to be as wholesome as the movie.

[@No-One-of-Consequence]

As a fellow Papist, I like this very much. I know a cool Catholic you should talk to.

[@bradhorowitz2765]

nachooooooo. I forgot how much this movie was damn good.

[@LuC-k777]

Me and my sister, Filipino half sister, and mom love this film

[@twiggyzappa]

One of my all-time favorite movies! Great review, you have a new subscriber!

[@justaguy5770]

"Did he not know they were the Lord's chips?"

[@choux8372]

"This is the worst lunch I've ever had" 😂 the delivery gets me every time

[@edrosales1520]

"I have had diarrhea since Easters"

[@Patrick-zj4qz]

Thanks for this video. :) It's nice to see something genuinely uplifting on KZbin.

[@CarburetorThompson]

Nice to have a movie where the Catholics aren’t the bad guys.

[@tobor8200]

Great video! Might have to check out the movie

[@AskTorin]

This is exactly what I didn't know I was looking for! Excellent channel, friend!

[@samgretchen4108]

Lovely i always wanted to watch this film movie, great work making this video. GOD BLESS YOU and GETS RAIN WHERE YOU LIVE AND MY BEST WISHES FOR YOUR FAMILY 🙏✝️🕊🌻💖♥️🌨🌧🌦👱🏻🐑🫂🙌👸🏼🧚‍♀️🐻☁️🦁👸👸🏾👱🏻🧜‍♀️🌈

[@UnhingedJessie]

Stuff from this movie still randomly pops into my head on an almost weekly basis.

[@babyjoker6025]

Stayed through out the whole video it was awesome! Lol my dad name is also Encarnacion

[@pathless951]

This made my day. Thank you.

[@rage_tv4493]

just discovered ur channel and i have to say i like what i see keep it up

[@MetalGearPrimus]

I genuinely love this movie. One of my favorites from childhood, and one of my favorites ever.

[@convoludedduded5086]

Such a perfect movie. The shots. The color pallet. Incredible

[@Burgerzaza]

I was too young to appreciate this movie when i was younger but youve convinced me to watch it again, i think ill really like it as an adult. From the perspective of Christian storytelling, this is how you do it. You dont beat people over the head with a bible and try to make christians look better than everyone else(I'm looking at you God's Not Dead) and instead just make a movie with a character or characters that behave in christlike manners. In fact people seldom even are able to identify those as 'Christian' movies, just good movies. But i think the disconnect between good Christian movies and 'Christian' movies is that the latter appeals to the weird obsession (especially in America) with *appearing* like a good Christian to other people, getting to feel superior about your salvation, and forgetting that you're actually supposed to behave in a Christlike manner. I wasn't raised Catholic, but Methodist, and im gay. My relationship with religion is complicated. Though let it be said that ive never met a methodist that said I couldn't be a Christian or a good Christian because of my sexuality. Even with my misgivings with many other denominations and the people in them, and any doubts i may have about what happens after death, i still believe that its very worthwhile to behave in a christlike fashion whenever possible, and its a major informer of my worldview. This is something i share with one of my closest friends, who's a brother to me and a devout catholic.

[@MercuryBlackN]

Methodist moment

[@pauljewett8844]

Damn I wanted to make this video essay myself. Congrats on beating me to it

[@marvalice3455]

I can easily see both sides of this. I also grew up with this movie, and my family loved it, but an important difference is that my family is *not* Catholic. I am the only Catholic in my family (for now). This in mind, the movie did feel like it was mocking the idea of clergy and especially the vows of celibacy a few times. I think some of the jokes are fair, like the one stodgy fransican whos always giving our hero a hard time, but i think others are unnecesarily edgy. I do agree that it has a lot of heart though. And i think the factbthatbkhr hero struggles so much is an important message. I would prefer if they hadn't included the romantic subplot, but that gets into my philosophy on story telling which is a whole other topic.

[@NotTheWheel]

I'm glad that this movie can instill some Catholic virtues in others. In life, we all bear our Cross and we share our burdens as Christ has for us all. Our crosses under the one. That's why it's called Mass.

[@maniacalcoast2742]

this was a nice history lesson, thank you

[@kairusan420]

you one of us🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@DarkEmpireGames]

God, after all this time I cant believe I didn't realise this, thanks for making this video. Good to see something positive about us once in a while.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodGeek99]

I feel bad, i never really gravitated to this film and i love Jack Black I'll have to give it another go great review!

[@felipeopazo2662]

Religious Man is a song that genuinely moves me to tears

[@JurassicLion2049]

Godzilla is one of my favw characters but its talking bout Nacho Libre where you’ve got me as a subscriber :) (Im Mexican & loved Nacho Libre as a kid).

[@edd_end]

It's about time this video was made

[@audreyschiffli6064]

I am also a Catholic and I have always LOVED this movie 🥰 I find it respectful of the faith and funny too. You don’t find many movies that don’t make fun of Christianity

[@Bronze39]

This movie unironically brought me back to religion.

[@thepancakemann]

There are few times I remember in my life where I was laughing as much as I did in theatre watching Nacho Libre on release. Honestly one of my favourite movies.

[@OneCrayGuy89]

I've been saying for a long time that Nacho Libre is one of the best examples of Christian cinema. It's honestly my favorite movie.

[@bitterismylastname6688]

This is similar to King's origin story in Tekken

[@Mooneyplane]

Bro Nacho Libre is the best, it’s so slept on. Has some of my favourite Jack Black lines of all time and Esqueleto is just as funny “I believe in science”

[@starchycreampuf5234]

Instantly liked because of the its always sunny shirt

[@HoboHunterRik]

Love the story about your brother.

[@mechta10000]

I havn't seen the film in a while, but I for the most part agree. It does seem to me that he fails to represent the catholic virtue of obedience, but I suppose it could be argued for the sake of feeding orphans it was okay. More pertinently I do remember finding his relationship with the sister somewhat suspect. All in all though it is certainly better then most Catholic representation in media, and I can respect it for that.

[@Meyer-gp7nq]

My dad and I quote this movie to each other daily

[@Hellacious-Blue-Liquid]

I actually thought his more selfish behavior is what makes it compelling! It was HIS dream to wrestle! Seeing how the children looked up to the fighters and the money he could earn enabled him to follow his dream as a poor orphan to help the orphans he cares about I think the message of chasing your dreams for yourself but also the people who you know need it is a great message

[@nailinhead5512]

Who does the cover at the end? I need this song in my life!!!

[@colonel1003]

7:42 I’ve been noticing videos are starting to use Zach’s screams lol

[@user-vz1mm3rh8w]

Sad that more people haven’t seen this

[@randomname7321]

I loved this movie when i was younger and never knew it was true! Also great video, I myself am agnostic but people like you who use the religion as more of a path to kindness and love to all amazing to me

[@Gelatinocyte2]

3:50 just in case, for anyone who might miss the satire: One does not simply "self proclaim" as an atheist or "believe in science"; because atheism is not a religion, but a label/status/condition. You can be religious and still be an atheist, a Buddhist (with some exceptions depending on sect) is what one would consider an atheist (their religion does not involve a belief in a deity). Also, most atheists likely started out baptized anyway, having been born and grew up from a Christian family. There are no requirements or anything to being an atheist other than simply lacking a belief in any god, that's why it's called A-theism - it's simply the lack of theism, the belief in a god. Please reconsider how we perceive or portray atheism, because it's simply not an ideology nor a religion, the same way astigmatism is neither of those.

[@evanlucas8914]

Faith comes in many forms. To be Catholic is to seek to live up to Christ in your actions; believing is not enough, you must also act. However, your action need not be narrowly defined or perfect. We all fall short of Christ, yet as long as you act without sin and with charity in your heart, your acts will be holy. Those acts will honor your commitment to God and Christ. So go forth, act out your faith through good works. Show compassion towards all, malice towards none, and contrition in failure.

[@colonel1003]

Beautiful ending

[@roboticjanitor3332]

Well with a title like that how could I NOT watch?

[@Joecbg100]

I'd never ask those guys what qualities as a good movie if they cant get outta their own way.

[@PsionicCavalier]

Frey Tormenta also inspired King from Tekken

[@random_evo_guy9120]

Fun Fact: King from the Tekken series is inspired by Nacho Libre

[@ruleblackberry3469]

One of the most famous orphaned children of fray tormenta is the WWE wrestler Sin Cara.

[@courier6ix9ine95]

The rapper that Mexican ot said this was his favorite movie growinnip and was mad as hell when he found out jack black wasnt mexican

[@chrisbailey6153]

I apologize for thinking of Nacho Libre whenever someone tells me their catholic.

[@yossepy]

IVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS. I'm glad others can agree

[@885818499]

I read somewhere that the old man who cheers nacho from the beginning represents god not leaving nachos side.

[@alanaprice7051]

You forgot to mention we were watching it together during your eureka moment (Alana erasure)

[@Hatsworthful]

In retrospective and in the topic of religion, I don't know why I never saw the connection between Ramses the wrestler and Ramses the Pharaoh, you know, with the Exodus and Moses. I always thought Ramses (the wrestler) was just meant to be like an evil version of 'el santo', with the whole golden mask (in a way representing luxury and greed) instead of santo's iconic silver mask (with the metal being a symbol of purity and all).

[@coffeebux]

"Aren't you tired of having dirt kicked in your face? " Nacho shows how Catholic men should go about winning the hearts of women too

[@luckys901]

7:42 was that a wild Zach Hadel?

[@ghfudrs93uuu]

I see what you're talking about but I think I'll stick with Flowers for Saint Francis and A Man for all Seasons

[@Bam_Bizzler]

Wholesome

[@mlgodzilla4206]

It’s a genuinely good movie

[@hammer8771]

love the psychicpebbles scream censor

[@GldnClaw]

I wonder if the reviewer was obligated to denigrate the film because the Producer, Jared Hess, is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)? I am as well, and I love our Christian Cousins who practice the Catholic Faith.

[@CobaltSkies21]

I dislike the movie, but I love seeing it in this context! Well done

[@valutaatoaofunknownelement197]

Genuinely unexpected recommendation today, and I have yet to watch Nacho Libre.

[@30cal23]

im not a catholic but this is a really nice family movie

[@abreviews2559]

This movie is one my favorites but My only pet peeve about it (considering the Catholicism surrounding the plot) is ma boy Ignacio (Nacho) was a major lukewwarm

[@beebang7602]

Is your shirt a sponsor?

[@FirewoodMediaTV]

No that’s the bar from the tv show Always Sunny In Philadelphia lol