Viggo Mortensen Movie:

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		MPAA Rating: Media: Theatrical Release

Alatriste [Theatrical Release] Reviews:
Definitely a Must See
2009-01-16 - Very good film...what is the USA waiting for? I want to buy the dvd already!

(2.5 STARS) Beautiful to Look at, But the Story Deserves a Better Treatment
2008-12-28 - "Alatriste" stars Viggo Mortensen as the title role Diego Alatriste, a veteran soldier (and a hired assassin) in the service of Spanish King Philip IV. Known as "Capitan," Alatriste, always faithful to his duty, witnesses the slow fall and decline of the empire while he himself continues to fight in the battlefield. The film also includes a romance between the hero and a beautiful actress Maria de Castro (Ariadna Gil) as well as many battles and swordfights.

Set in the 17th century and based on Arturo Pérez-Reverte's best selling novels (five volumes so far), "Alatriste" is beautifully shot, but suffers the rushed pace and underdeveloped characters. Those who have knowledge of the Spanish history might feel differently, but to me the film's story unfolds too fast, sometimes leaping from one scene to another, giving almost no clue as to what really happened between them. The cast, all talented, do their best and deliver solid performances, but few of the characters are memorable.

"Alatriste" is said to be the most expensive film made in Spain and if you watch the film, you will not be surprised to hear that. The film is visually superb, with impressive production designs and costumes. Some of the film's images look as if taken directly from paintings (one scene recreates Diego Velázquez's "The Surrender of Breda" for instance). Also of note are the swordfights and battles depicted in the film, which give more emphasis to the brutality and violence of the fights. The swashbuckling in this film is not dancing; it means killing in the most brutal way.

"Alatriste" is not all that bad. It just needs much more time to be an emotionally involving film. I watched the 147 minute version (probably the original Spanish version) and it is still too short. It is quite regrettable.

Questionning the Basis
2008-11-18 - A really slow-motioned biographical picture on less known outside Spanish-speaking sphere historical figures of the pre-Rembrandt 17th century world, broadens viewer's knowledge with depicting a gloomy dangerous existence in absolute monarchy-ruled places outside more described then England/France, from a time perspective questions very grounds of a moral and ethics based on traditional values.

Rather educative than entertaining work.


Too much material, too little time
2008-09-26 - "Alatriste", based on Arturo Perez-Reverte's five Capt. Alatriste novels, chronicles a number of the Captain's adventures, over the course of about 20 years. These include service in the Spanish army in Flanders and intrigues at home in Madrid. Captain Alatriste (Viggo Mortensen) is like a Spanish version of D'Artagnan, and this movie is set at approximately the same time as "The Three Musketeers", with many of the same historical figures throughout.

I have only read one of the Capt. Alatriste novels (the first one), and the problem with that novel was that there was too little material spread over too many pages. It was as if Perez-Reverte was holding back for the later novels in the series (he probably was). "Alatriste" the movie has the opposite problem. There is too much material condensed in to too little time. This 2 ½ hour movie is based on all five of the Alatriste novels and as a result the film flies through event after event, giving the audience little chance to become acquainted with the characters or to figure out what is going on. Even the first section of the film, which was based on the book that I had read, was hard for me to follow and by the end of the film, I couldn't figure out what was happening at all and didn't really care. Evidently much attention was paid to making this film as historically accurate as possible and many of the costumes and scenes look like something out of an old painting. However, that is not enough to sustain such a long film. At the time of writing this review, "Alatriste" is very difficult to obtain on DVD. Don't bother going to the expense and difficultly of digging it up.


Though not a masterpiece, a movie worth watching!
2007-07-20 - Alatriste brings to the screen the story of a Spanish mercenary who made a name for himself fighting in the wars in the Netherlands in the first half of the 17th Century.
The film brings to the screen several stories, which are unfolding simultaneously: Firstly, Captain Diego Alatriste, and his turbulent life, secondly (and to a much lesser extent), Spain's involvement in the Netherlands and its steady decline, and thirdly the religious wars between Catholics and Protestants.
The movie sheds light on the intrigues of the Spanish court, and provides valuable insight into a very important period of Spanish (and European) History.
In addition, we get a taste (though a very light one) of 17th Century European politics.
Moreover, we get to see and hear about the infamous Spanish Holy Inquisition.
Viggo Mortensen (!!!), and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows!
The setting, the dialogues, and the costumes are all wonderful!
In a nutshell, though slow at times and difficult to follow, Alatriste will surely provide for an evening's entertainment!