Elpidio Valdés contra Dólar y Cañón

Elpidio Valdés contra Dólar y Cañón places the famed Cuban independence fighter at the center of a risky mission during the late 1890s. The plan is to cross into Florida and bring back a shipment of weapons that could bolster the Cuban Liberation Army back home. The ordeal moves across coastlines and back roads, with encounters that test Elpidio's wits, speed, and resolve. He faces wary enemies, shifting loyalties, and a lingering sense that every mile brings him closer to victory or disaster. The animation uses brisk action, bold colors, and period details to make history feel immediate and exciting without losing sight of its political stakes. The story highlights courage, teamwork, and the stubborn will to defend one's homeland, and the mission tests more than firepower, it tests trust.

Directed by Juan Padrón and Ernesto Padrón, this 1983 Cuban animated adventure extends the Elpidio Valdés series. It showcases a vivid hand drawn style and a distinctly Cuban sensibility, reflecting the era's animation culture and patriotic storytelling.

Box office data for this title is not widely documented, a common fate for regional animated features from that period. The film circulated mainly in Cuba and local festivals, where audiences responded to its blend of action humor and historical subject matter.

As part of the Valdés canon, the movie helped shape how Cuban audiences picture their revolutionary era. The character became a symbol of resilience and ingenuity, and the film contributed to national memory by teaching history through entertainment while reinforcing a sense of shared cultural identity.

Critics and scholars view the film as a solid entry in a long running series that balances pace with context. It explores themes of courage, solidarity, and resistance to external pressure, offering a hopeful portrait of a people who persevere when their freedom is at stake.