Alatriste (2006)

and the word not describe only the genre of film but the experience of viewer. because , after you read the book, the expectations are basic glasses for see the adaptation. and, in this case, all is impeccable. the atmosphere, the performances, the fight scenes, Viggo Mortensen who gives the right traits of the lead hero. and the Spain in a special moment of its history. an admirable film for the courage to give a realistic fresco of a time. for the science to explore the details. for impressive message about values and politic and justice and force. and the sparkles of the novel. clear, authentic, convincing. so,an adventure.

Bear in mind that Alatriste is one of the few Spanish action/adventure movies out there. That's not the typical genre for Spanish filmmakers due mainly to budget reason as it's really hard to compete with Hollywood's blockbusters.If you have read the books or are familiar with Spanish history during 17th century you'll really enjoy and fully appreciate this gem. Atmosphere = real 17th century. Costumes = great. Music = great. Acting = great. Directing = great (for Spanish cinema). Script = good (if you read the books, otherwise may look incomplete). It would be better to do it in 2 or 3 movies.

Now this international offering was worth the wait; the viewing was testament to that sentiment.For those of us who forgot, this film speaks aloud to remind us: Espana, now free of the Moors once ruled the world both known and unknown. They also commanded the high seas in every direction for well over a century. OK, England might object.And even I wouldn't begrudge them their opposition. However, even the spirited English took a backseat to the Spanish expeditionary marches throughout Europe and in the 'new world'. This was especially true in the 16th and 17th centuries. Just ask their demolished and demoralized victims, like the peoples of Flanders after they fell to the famed Spanish infantry regiments.Viggo Mortensen is living, talking proof of the Conquistadore's superiority at least in the cinematic sense. And with every new adventure either in the battlefield on the King's orders or in the amorous lounge of his maiden, Mortensen as the lead, rose to the occasion time and again; scuza the pun. Soon we learn that the Capitaine Alatriste just can't say no. The Crown was well aware of his 'weakness'. And the crafty state planners exploited him at every turn. The commissions (military) came in droves.Truth is some assignments were so dangerous that his superiors hardly expected him to return. Well, they would have preferred but then respected his dead corpse though. Ah, now we see the pure luridness of the aristocracy; they would sacrifice even the most loyal and devoted subject when gold was part of the cache. In the script, the yellow new world metal often featured prominently.Overall this film had it all: suspense, horrific battle scenes, camaraderie and personal duels settled by the lethal swath of a polished Toledo sword. Throughout, it even featured political chicanery in the highest places. And those many covert cross-class amorous trysts added intrigue in just the right places. You guessed right: the working classes always gave the rite of passage for passion to royalty first. It was either that or be skewered for your refusal. Even Philip the 'planet king' took his ransom share, plus more.Although lurking in the shadows of Mortensen, one supporting cast member almost eclipsed the swashbuckling Capitaine for bravado. He came in the form of a Sicilian mercenary. Smallish in stature this polished swordsman was more than a match for any Spaniard targeted with his insults. And with a little more polish and a lot less bragging, perhaps this professional, seasoned killer could have usurped them all. That threat applied to the king's own courtiers and royal guard as well.And I also enjoyed his island accent. Then of course I would. My ancestry is part Siciliano too!

it is difficult to define it like a good or bad movie. it is , in same measure, not exactly an adaptation. because the ambition was to create a film in which Mortenson must be great. piece in Spanish atmosphere, with a lot of fight scenes, with a script like suggestion of few novels, with dark parts, love, sacrifice, traitors, competition between strong men, duty and a super hero in old fashion style. a film who hope to present fragments of charming tale of a Modern hero with crumbs of history. result - lovely movie for the fans. and nothing really new. because all is a play with a star. and the clothes of Alatriste is just new - old version of a series of roles. so, an usual drama of dark character , mixture of courage, loyalty, sadness, hope and sacrifice.