Main Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Eduardo Noriega, Alex O'Dogherty, Nacho Perez, Juan Echanove
Release Year: 2006
Country: ES
Run Time: 147 minutes
Plot
A fierce soldier fighting for the Spanish cause in Flanders returns to a drastically different Spain to fulfill the dying wish of a fallen friend, only to find that life isn't what it once was in his decaying homeland in director Agustín Díaz Yanes' adaptation of Arturo Pérez-Reverte's popular series of best-selling books. Compelled to fulfill the final wish of his dying friend, noble warrior Alatriste (Viggo Mortensen) makes his way back to Spain to care for the man's young son, Iñigo (Nacho Perez and Unax Ugalde). Things have taken a sharp turn for the worst back home, however, and as Alatriste does his best to help the boy reach manhood while earning his keep as a hired swordsman, he sees his country crumbling at the feet of a feeble monarch who is failing to grasp the inner workings of his own corrupt court. The impulsive handling of the Spanish Inquisition, coupled with the corrosive influence of the Count-Duke of Olivares (Javier Cámara), has brought a once-powerful nation to its knees as the growing chasm between the deceitful upper class and the miserable life of the commoners has effectively served to polarize the populace. In a time when corruption reigns and honor has faded, Alatriste remains a lone figure who refuses to relinquish his noble spirit as he raises Iñigo and enters into a passionate love affair with actress Maria de Castro (Ariadna Gil). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Enrico Lo Verso - Malatesta; Blanca Portillo - Bocanegra; Javier Camára - Count-Duke of Olivares; Ariadna Gil - Maria de Castro; Unax Ugalde - Older Inigo; Elena Anaya - Angelica de Alquezar; Antonio Dechent; Nadia de Santiago; Eduard Fernández; Francesco Garrido; Luis Zahera; Antonio Resines
Credit
Benjamin Fernandez - Art Director, Agustín Díaz Yanes - Director, José Salcedo - Editor, Inigo Marco - Executive Producer, Belen Atienza - Executive Producer, Roque Banos - Composer (Music Score), Paco Femenia - Cinematographer, Antonio Cardenal - Producer, Alvaro Augustin - Producer, Cristina Zumarraga - Producer, Rafael Solorzano - Special Effects, Pierre Gamet - Sound/Sound Designer, Dominique Menegum - Sound/Sound Designer, Agustín Díaz Yanes - Screenwriter, Arturo Pérez-Reverte - Book Author
The story takes place during the 17th century in the Spanish Empire. Diego Alatriste is a soldier in the service of King Felipe IV, during the Eighty Years War. The story begins in the Netherlands, where the tercio of Diego Alatriste fights against the Dutch. Lope Balboa (father of Íñigo and friend of the captain) is killed here. Diego decides to return to Madrid where he receives the young Íñigo Balboa in his care. He is hired, along with a Sicilian assassin named Gualterio Malatesta to kill the Prince of Wales (future King Charles I of England) and his companion, the Duke of Buckingham. The job is contracted by Emilio Bocanegra and Luis de Alquézar (uncle of Íñigo's love interest - Angélica de Alquézar). Alatriste finally returns to the Netherlands in 1624 (although the movie says it's 1625) and participates in the final battles leading to Breda's surrender. After the return to Spain, Íñigo wants to elope with Angélica, but she gets cold feet at the last moment. Alatriste has a romance with actress María de Castro, who was the lover of Philip IV and he ends up crossing his sword with Gualdamedina, a friend of the king. In the end, the object of their attention gets sick with syphilis. The duel with his friend Martín Saldaña and the punishment of Íñigo in the galleys are part of the film's spectacular ending. The last scenes are at the Battle of Rocroi (May 1643), described in the last book of the long and entertaining saga The Adventures of Captain Alatriste, a book that has not been published as of 2008. During the battle Abel Moreno Gómez's "La Madrugá" is playing as the defeated army's march and this is where it is assumed that the old Captain Diego Alatriste dies.
The plot of the film has elements from each of the five books published up to the premiere, and it maintains the same storyline for the main characters. It includes excerpts from the future books of the saga. If the movie plot coincides with the desire of the author it should all end in Rocroi thus leaving enough material for three more books.
The Goya Awards, are Spain's main national film awards, considered the Spanish equivalent to the American Academy Awards. The film was awarded and nominated for the following categories of Goya Awards for 2006 films:
