Alatriste (2006)
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43% of users liked it
(19,013 ratings)
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… More 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, Rovi
- Directed By
- Agustín Díaz Yanes
- Written By
- Agustín Díaz Yanes
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Dec 22, 2006 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Holland, Variety
Its visual flair and some good perfs by well-known contempo Spanish actors cannot redeem an over-episodic, over-busy script with little dramatic undertow.
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Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
The Arturo Perez-Reverte novels come to vivid life in this beautifully shot, if unevenly paced epic.
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Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
click for full review
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In this adaptation of the popular Spanish novels, there's political intrigue, unrequited love, and epic battle scenes but the sheer quantity of events can't distract from the film's lack of quality moments and depth; U.S. theatrical prospects are iffy
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Cast
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Viggo Mortensen
as Diego Alatriste
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Eduardo Noriega
as Duke of Guadalmedina
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Alex O'Dogherty
as Balboa
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Nacho Pérez
as Young Inigo
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Juan Echanove
as Quevedo
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Enrico Lo Verso
as Malatesta
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Blanca Portillo
as Bocanegra
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Javier Cámara
as Count-Duke of Olivares
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Ariadna Gil
as Maria de Castro
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Unax Ugalde
as Older Inigo
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Elena Anaya
as Angelica de Alquezar
- Antonio Dechent
- Nadia de Santiago
- Eduard Fernández
- Francesco Garrido
- Luis Zahera
- Antonio Resines
- Pedro Almagro
- Pilar Bardem
- Francesc Garrido
- Nacho Pérez de la Paz

