Captain Alatriste: The Spanish Musketeer (2006)

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

Fmovies: Alatriste is definitely one of the best Spanish movies of the last years.

The cast is definitely wonderful with special mention to Javier Cámara as Count-Duke of Olivares, Juan Echanove as Francisco de Quevedo, Eduard Fernández as Sebastián Copons and Elena Anaya as Angélica de Alquézar. The rest of the cast is pretty good as well with the possible exception of Martín Saldaña being played by Francesc Garrido whose acting just didn't move me.

The music is gorgeous and a big effort was made to reproduce the atmosphere both in the filthy dangerous streets of XVII century's Madrid and in the opulent royal palaces and nobility's villas.

The decadence of the Empire and the selfish and greedy courtesan life is very well shown as well.

I would remark just two weak points in my opinion: 1) The attempt to concentrate 5 books in a single film makes you get the feeling that the script lacks continuity at some points, even when the story is a good one itself.

2) Although the atmosphere of the narrow old streets of Madrid is well reproduced I miss scenes where whole areas of imperial Madrid can be seen. The Austria's castle or the Plaza Mayor could have been shown in order to display a general view of the city's architectonic grandeur. However no open areas can be seen in the movie and it's all narrow streets and little squares which can be confusing at some points.

Even if I think it could be improved, I find Alatriste worth a visit to your favourite theatre.

Is no surprise for anyone that Spanish writers are conquering the international market: there are the cases of Javier Sierra (Secret Supper), Ruiz-Zafón (Shadow of the Wind) or Juan Gómez-Jurado (God's Spy). Well, this movie is based in five novels of a Spanish bestselling author who preceded all of them in the lists: Arturo Pérez Reverte.

The movie tell the whole story of old soldier Diego Alatriste, a captain of Spanish Army in Spanish Golden Century. This is the most expensive Spanish-language film ever made in Spain (about €24 million – US$30 million). It portrays Spain of the 17th century using both fictional and real characters. Twentieth Century Fox has taken the rights on the film.

The story start whit the Spanish Armada had already been defeated but Spain was still the world's greatest superpower. The Captain is recently home from fighting in Flanders in the Dutch war for independence from Spain. He has come home because of a serious wound that has left him unfit for the military. However, and like many of veterans of Spain's wars, he is fit enough to eke out a meager living as something of a gun, or sword, or knife for hire. He collects debts, avenges the honor of cuckolded husbands, and even kills for the right price. He is very good at his job. Year by year we follow Diego in his violent life, to the bitter end, and his tale is the one of both Spain and the whole world.

The acting, obviously leaded by star Viggo Mortensen is absolutely amazing. A well acting job by Mr Mortensen is no surprise for anyone, but the real living characters that Eduard Fernández (Copons) and Blanca Portillo (friar Emilio Bocanegra) creates are astounding.

Indenpendent chapter deserves the photography, spectacular, and costumes design. A delight.

Captain Alatriste: The Spanish Musketeer fmovies. Just saw the movie today and have to say that it was a very nice surprise.

Two years ago I read a couple of books within the 5-books saga by Spanish writer Arturo Pérez Reverte and have to say that the movie captures the complexity of Capitán Alatriste and the rest of characters as well as recreates the atmosphere that is present in the books in the 17th century of Spain. Quite difficult deals bearing in mind the ambitious narrative line traced in the books, were good and bad concepts are just embossed (I guess it was like that in Spain 3-4 centuries ago).

There would be a lot to say but just briefly, the story is good and entertaining, the movie is brilliant recreating the books (in my imagination, Alatriste is exactly Viggo's characterization/performance), script is powerful, actors and actresses performance's are in average good, remarking Viggo Mortensen (Alatriste), Javier Cámara (Conde-Duque de Olivares) and Juan Echanove (Francisco de Quevedo). Special mention to the clothing, light, ambiance and the interiors. Just exactly the same you can see in Velazquez and Goyas pictures in the Prado Museum in Madrid! In the bad side, I felt the rhythm was bit slow a few times, and maybe more digital effects to recreate opened scenarios would have been good idea. But maybe these are just personal feelings (used to megaproductions!).

Nice surprise from the Spanish industry. Entertaining. I will definitely read the three books left in the saga!

XVII Spanish Century is too rich to be told in two hours and a half, and that's what the film has tried. Perhaps too many characters that unable us to be identified with them. Alatriste is too many things in just one: the brave, the hard, the rebel, the lover, the good father... but far from us. I don't think it is Viggo's problem. If you read the novels you will find the same lack. Although we have expected more of this film, it would be unfair to say that this film is not worthy watching it. Actors are great, also wigs and customs (sometimes Spanish people cannot forget them without wigs!). Battles and photography are excellent. The films' atmosphere is much more better than other history films, the fog, the use of light. Go, watch it and make your opinion!

I enjoyed Alatriste; it's not your typical fast-paced Hollywood action flick (if you go see it expecting something of the sort, you'll probably be disappointed and bored) and the plot is not too clearly defined, but it has an excellent cinematography and costume design that recreate Velazquez's Spain, and most of the actors are very good. Mortensen is an awesome Capitán Alatriste despite his slight accent. You can see he took this role very seriously. He fits perfectly into the roguish, ruthless but noble character's skin. The sword fights are nicely choreographed. The atmosphere of seventeen-century Spain and the historical context are superbly recreated. Actually, I find there are interesting parallels between the decay of the Spanish Empire and present day United States, between the "tercios" and the US Marines.

I recommend this film highly to anybody who's interested in period films, or who likes Mortensen as an actor.