This is a remake of Las Amazonas (Venezuela, 1985). While it was okay, I felt that it lacked the heart of that earlier novela.
The father character(Emilio Lizarraga) in the original Venezuelan version, was a much more folksy, down-to-earth guy than the Eric Del Castillo character (Clemente Soriano) in the remake. That kind of made sense: the character is supposed to be a simple, poor man who happens to strike it rich (or steal his way into wealth!). But Eric Del Castillo had none of the common man nature of Emilio, and came across as just another rich Mexican, full of class and poise.
The Cesar Fabregas character in the remake was made much more evil than the original (Carmelo Fabregas in the original). Plus he was originally not related to Clemente/Emilio's wife, but just one of her lovers/partners. Also he doesn't kill Karina (his sister) like he does in the remake.
The ending of the original is also much more dubious: although the two warring families seem to have reach a truce, it is non-conclusive as to if the Lizarragas and the Urdanetas are really at peace at the end, or if their truce was really dictated by the reality that now the family was related. I always thought the Venezuelans left it open for a possible sequel as they were fond of doing back then.
Anyway, an okay remake, with a good cast and okay acting. If you can see the original with the late Hilda Carrero and Eduardo Serrano, it is much better! I hope they release that one on DVD as well.
The father character(Emilio Lizarraga) in the original Venezuelan version, was a much more folksy, down-to-earth guy than the Eric Del Castillo character (Clemente Soriano) in the remake. That kind of made sense: the character is supposed to be a simple, poor man who happens to strike it rich (or steal his way into wealth!). But Eric Del Castillo had none of the common man nature of Emilio, and came across as just another rich Mexican, full of class and poise.
The Cesar Fabregas character in the remake was made much more evil than the original (Carmelo Fabregas in the original). Plus he was originally not related to Clemente/Emilio's wife, but just one of her lovers/partners. Also he doesn't kill Karina (his sister) like he does in the remake.
The ending of the original is also much more dubious: although the two warring families seem to have reach a truce, it is non-conclusive as to if the Lizarragas and the Urdanetas are really at peace at the end, or if their truce was really dictated by the reality that now the family was related. I always thought the Venezuelans left it open for a possible sequel as they were fond of doing back then.
Anyway, an okay remake, with a good cast and okay acting. If you can see the original with the late Hilda Carrero and Eduardo Serrano, it is much better! I hope they release that one on DVD as well.
