Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Viggo Mortensen | ... | Diego Alatriste | |
Elena Anaya | ... | Angélica de Alquézar | |
Unax Ugalde | ... | Íñigo Balboa | |
Eduard Fernández | ... | Sebastián Copons | |
Eduardo Noriega | ... | Conde de Guadalmedina | |
Ariadna Gil | ... | María de Castro | |
Juan Echanove | ... | Francisco de Quevedo | |
Javier Cámara | ... | Conde Duque de Olivares | |
Antonio Dechent | ... | Curro Garrote | |
Blanca Portillo | ... | Fray Emilio Bocanegra | |
Francesc Garrido | ... | Martín Saldaña | |
Pilar López de Ayala | ... | Mujer de Malatesta | |
Jesús Castejón | ... | Luis de Alquézar | |
Cristina Marcos | ... | Joyera | |
Luis Zahera | ... | Pereira |
Spain 17th century. Diego Alatriste, brave and heroic soldier, is fighting under his King's army in the Flandes region. His best mate, Balboa, falls in a trap and near to die ask to Diego, as his last desire, to looking after his son Íñigo and grow him as a soldier. Alatriste has to come back to Madrid. Written by 1felco
The film concerning captain Alatriste (Viggo Mortensen), a Spanish soldier turned into mercenary . The picture is developed through the Spanish empire which took a time for the decadence and downfall , however during century XVII it was a battleground for rival powers : Luis XIII with his favorite Cardenal Richelieu who are backing Flandes independence against Philip IV and his Count Duke Olivares (Javier Camera) . The movie is set throughout the ¨Thirty years war¨ (1618-1648 ) between Catholics and Protestants which finished in the treatise of Westfalia . The flick describes various events and battles from the epoch as the ¨Breda surrender¨(in 1625 and Spanish army commanded by Ambrosio Spinola) that imaginatively is brought the life on the famous Velazquez picture , as the ¨Rocroi battle¨ (1643) which signified the fall Spanish main and pretty well filmed in spectacular and violent images as the last stand for the imperial Tercios .
Scenarios are breathtaking but no the plot , it is slightly confusing with some flaws ; besides , being sometimes slow-moving that makes it a bit tiring and dull . Screenwriter-director Agustin Diaz Yanes tried to condense the five novels from Arturo Perez Reverte in a runtime of two hours and some but it is a little embarrassment . However , the production design including palaces , streets , slums , homes , canteen , rooms are sensational and realized by the great designer Benjamin Fernandez who has got a successful American career (Man of fire , Uprising , Enemy of State). Painting-photography and colorful cinematography by top-notch cameraman Paco Femenia (Juana la Loca) though a little dark and excessive use of interior . In addition , brilliant and luxurious costume design was made by Francesca Sartori , she is a great specialist on Italian costume films . Atmospheric and sensitive music score by Roque Baños (The machinist , Crimen Ferfecto , 800 bullets) is finely fitted to the story . The motion picture was well directed by Agustin Diaz Yanes , as it is entertained for the Spanish history buffs . At a cost of 24 million Euros, this is the most expensive Spanish film ever made. Director Agustin called that amount enough for 'a European super-production and an American rubbish-production'. Agustin Diaz Yanes has directed some good films such as ¨Don't temp me¨, ¨Solo Quiero Caminar¨ and ¨Nadie Hablara con nosotras cuando Hayamos Muerto¨ . Rating : Acceptable picture , well worth watching