Canoa: A Shameful Memory — Criterion Collection DVD

Canoa: A Shameful Memory is a Criterion Collection DVD of Felipe Cazals’s film about a real-life 1968 attack on university employees. Its political and historical subject matter suits viewers seeking Mexican cinema, while the listed format is DVD rather than Blu-ray.

At a glance

Reimagines a 1968 attack in the village of San Miguel de Canoa, where residents mistook visiting university employees for communist revolutionaries.
The listing describes a political film using a gritty newsreel style and intercut documentary-like material.
The DVD feature list names a restored 4K digital transfer, an introduction by Guillermo del Toro, a conversation between Alfonso Cuarón and Felipe Cazals, a trailer, new English subtitle translation, and an essay by Fernanda Solórzano.

Price

$14.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$29.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

English subtitles are listed, which can help English-speaking viewers follow the film.
A single-disc DVD format makes this a straightforward option for DVD collections and compatible players.
The listed special features add filmmaker context and an essay alongside the feature film.

Cons

This is a DVD release, not the Blu-ray edition mentioned elsewhere in the supplied listing text.

Technical specifications

14 specifications

Disc and playback
Format	NTSC, Widescreen
Number of discs	1
Runtime	1 hour and 55 minutes
Color	Color

Audio and language
Audio description	English, Spanish
Dubbed	Spanish
Subtitles	English

Credits and release
Director	Felipe Cazals
Actors	Enrique Lucero
Contributors	Enrique Lucero, Felipe Cazals
Studio	Criterion Collection
Release date	March 14, 2017
Item model number	43449021

Dimensions
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.72 ounces

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The listing text is inconsistent about the edition: one description begins with Blu-ray special-edition language, while another gives DVD special-edition features and the product title specifies DVD. Confirm the selected edition and its features before purchase.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers interested in political cinema and films about historical violence in Mexico.
Criterion DVD collectors who want English subtitles and filmmaker-related bonus features.

Less suited to

Buyers specifically seeking a Blu-ray or a confirmed 4K UHD disc. The 4K transfer claim describes the source transfer, not the listed DVD format.

Canoa: A Shameful Memory — Criterion Collection DVD · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 84 ratings

5 stars76%76%
4 stars16%16%
3 stars4%4%
2 stars0%0%
1 star4%4%

Aggregate ratings lean positive, with most ratings in the highest category, but a small minority are at the lowest rating. Without written feedback, the figures do not show what viewers liked or disliked. They cannot establish playback quality or resolve the listing's conflicting DVD and Blu-ray description.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a DVD or a Blu-ray?

The title identifies it as a DVD and the format details list NTSC, Widescreen. Conflicting Blu-ray wording appears in one description, so confirm the selected edition.

Does the DVD include English subtitles?

English subtitles are listed. The description also claims a new English subtitle translation among the DVD special features.

What bonus features are listed?

The DVD description lists an introduction by Guillermo del Toro, a conversation between Alfonso Cuarón and Felipe Cazals, a trailer, a new English subtitle translation, and an essay by Fernanda Solórzano.

How long is the film?

The listed runtime is 1 hour and 55 minutes.