Captain From Castile
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Movie Reviews of Captain From Castile
Movie Review: Great Drama, AND historically accurate
Summary: 5 Stars
FINALLY on DVD. First off, one of my favorite movies. Ever. Fabulous color, gorgeous leading players, and a lush Alfred Newman score.
While I hate the usual "As a..." to "justify" a comment, I must say that, as a Mexican American, it is nice to enjoy both a rousing swashbuckler that accurately represents--aside from the usual dramatic license re love interests, etc.--what happened. The "primary source" material is Father Bernal Diaz de Castillo who accompanied the Cortez expedition. I like to think the Thomas Gomez character is based upon him. "It's the Romantic In Me" [thank you, Inspector Reynod]. Additionally, the woman referred to as "Dona Maria" is dead-on accurate; she did exist, and went on to bear Hernan Cortez a child. Without her, it is doubtful that Cortez could have made the progress he did. She saved his life, and those of the Spanish troops, more than once by uncovering plots in the kitches of their hosts, etc.
Finally, I sadly read one review here by a proud Spaniard who seems unable to recognize the equivalent pride of we who boast of Mexican ancestry--my family from Aguas Calientes in Mexico. For, in so doing, we can legitimately point to our Spanish blood with almost as much pride as we do our Indian. This site is a happy place for sharing our reviews; I therefore toss to my Spanish counterpart a rose of friendship in a spirit one would ordinarilly associate with our friends from the Spanish Penninsula. And if refused, then a friendly challenge to the sword! A tu salud!
Movie Review: Film even more entertaining than book
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm an avid reader and, in most cases, the rendering of a book into film leaves much to be desired. Generally speaking, the movie is far weaker than the novel. There are numerous reasons for this but one of the reasons is that the reader can use his imagination--read between the lines--whereas a movie is "in your face" offerring few opportunities for mental imagery.
This movie is, in my opinion, a real exception. As much as I love the novel, "Captain from Castile", I think the screen play is better. The writers decided to emphasize the romance between Pedro and Catana and it was the right decision. Part of the reason for this was probably financial. Even in 1948 it would have cost a great fortune to reconstruct great Aztec edifices and assemble Indian armies of thousands. The writers opted for the less expensive option of a few small structures and a beautiful love story.
The scene where Catana takes her knife... Well, if you haven't seen the film, I won't spoil it.
Ron Braithwaite author of novels on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, "Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"
Movie Review: A classic film: Captain from Castile
Summary: 5 Stars
Before ordering the film version of "Captain from Castile" I re-read Samuel Shellabarger's novel of the same name, and it would be a bit unfair to criticize the film because of what it doesn't include. It would have required a film of twice the length -- i.e., over four hours -- to even approach that.
For entertainment value, however, this is a great movie. Tyrone Power is at his handsome best (not a lot of swashbuckling here), Lee J. Cobb gives, as usual, an excellent performance, and John Sutton, as the local leader of the inquisition in Caen, Spain, plays the villainous Diego de Silva without quite going over the top. Jean Peters makes a lovely Catana Peres, and Cesar Romero ("By my beard, Gentlemen") gives his performance of Hernan Cortes an air of gung-ho conqueror that plays well in this version of the Spanish invasion of Mexico. All in all, a most enjoyable film
Movie Review: Captain from Castile is the best ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so happy to be able to watch parts of the movie and listen to the music at any time. I have watched this movie dozens of times since it first appeared on TV. Cesar Romero and Tyrone Power, even Jay Silverheels have never been better. Jean Peters is beautiful. The music is powerful. Everything about the movie is terrific. It was thought provoking to me as a kid by depicting the Inquisition in Spain and into the New World. Among other things, it is a history lesson, skewed toward the Spanish of course.Movie Review: Good old fashioned romantic swashbuckling.
Summary: 5 Stars
I really like Tyrone Power movies and this is one of his best. Of course the sound track by Alfred Newman is magnificent. Familiar story of Pedro De Vargas (Power) escaping the Spanish Inquisition and fleeing to Mexico where he joins the Cortes expedition. Lots of color, sword fights and neat costumes. One of the best of the swashbucling films of the 30s & 40s. Compares well with the Errol Flynn movies. But again it's the sound track that steals the show.