Based on the true story of a gang who, dressed as soldiers, robbed upper-crust homes at the height of the Mexican Revolution, The Grey Automobile imitates the popular American serials but is closer to the French Fantômas with its authentic locales and naturalistic acting style. Press reports of the gang's increasingly outrageous exploits in the getaway car that gave them their name were avidly followed; director-cinematographer Rosas was faithful to the chronology of events, and shocked the public all over again by ending The Grey Automobile with footage from the actual execution of the gang which he himself had filmed in 1915. Adding to this bit of cinema verité is his depiction of Puebla and Mexico City as they were-in ruins, streets virtually deserted following the long years of struggle. In 1933, sound was added to this film which is cited as the ultimate expression of the early Mexican cinema.