Wednesday - Movies
The Age
Thursday March 6, 2008
Captain Alatriste (2006)
World Movies, 8.30pmThe rip-roaring novels of Arturo Perez-Reverte continue to fascinate and delight readers and filmmakers. Seven books have so far been filmed for the cinema, attracting directors as notable as Roman Polanski (The Ninth Gate). Agustin Diaz Yanes' Captain Alatriste is an adaptation of the first of Perez-Reverte's (so far) six novels to be set during Spain's Golden Age (specifically, the early 17th century) and featuring the dashing swordsman-adventurer Diego Alatriste y Tenorio. Alatriste must honour a dying friend's wish to bring up his son in Madrid, where political treachery is a daily staple of life under Felipe IV. You will have to stay alert as this episodic tale lurches its way boldly through several decades of conflict. Sensitive types may need to avert their eyes during the many gory scenes. The casting of New Yorker Viggo Mortensen as Alatriste was always going to be controversial, but he delivers both big-screen dash and a quiet dignity. Darkly photographed with countless homages to Spanish paintings, the film is spectacular to behold and, even if slowly paced, quietly engrossing. Festival and film-award judges agreed, handing the film more than a few prizes. -- SCOTT MURRAY
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