Captain Alatriste: The Spanish Musketeer (2006)

Viggo Mortensen plays the Spanish soldier-turned-mercenary Captain Alatriste, a heroic figure from the country's 17th century imperial wars.

Director:

Agustín Díaz Yanes

Writers:

Arturo Pérez-Reverte (novels), Agustín Díaz Yanes

Stars:

Viggo Mortensen, Elena Anaya, Unax Ugalde

5 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | surname as title | man wears eyeglasses | period drama | desire | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | Thriller | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

At a cost of 24 million Euros, this is the most expensive Spanish film ever made. Director Agustín Díaz Yanes called that amount enough for 'a European super-production and an American rubbish-production'.

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Goofs

In between shots during the Battle of Rocroi sequence, Captain Alatriste's musket changes (the muzzle is of different design).

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Quotes

Conde Duque de Olivares: Without Flanders, there's nothing... Captain.

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Connections

References The Searchers (1956)

User Reviews

The fictitious Spanish hero magnificently played by Viggo Mortensen and exceptional Juan Echanove as Francisco Quevedo

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

Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish Flemish Latin Portuguese Dutch

Release Date:

1 September 2006 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Captain Alatriste: The Spanish Musketeer

Filming Locations:

Baeza, Jaén, Andalucía, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

EUR24,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,482,607

Company Credits

Production Co:

Estudios Picasso, Origen Producciones Cinematograficas S.A., NBC Universal Global Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1