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Dawn of America
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Wikipedia article
'Dawn of America' (Spanish: 'Alba de Amrica') is a 1951 Spanish historical adventure film directed by Juan de Ordua and starring Antonio Vilar, Mara Martn and Jos Surez. The film depicts the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus in the late fifteenth century.
Production
The film was made by the largest Spanish studio CIFESA. The production was conceived as a response to the 1949 British film 'Christopher Columbus'. The British film had attempted a realist depiction of Columbus (portraying him as only partly successful, and his achievements being in spite of the Spanish monarchy). The Spanish response portrayed Columbus as a single-minded adventurer whose discovery led to the greater glory of the Spanish monarchy and the Catholic Church.Bentley p.117
It was also designed as part of the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the Catholic Monarchs. The film's patriotic theme was strongly backed by the Spanish State of Francisco Franco. The film was made on a comparatively large budget of ten million pesetas, part of which was supplied by the government. The film did not make a profit, partly due to its large budget and because the plot was not melodramatic enough for audience tastes.Bentley p.117 The film originally lost out on the prestigious National Interest prize to 'Furrows' but Jos Mara Garca Escudero, who had made the decision, was removed and the prize was awarded to 'Dawn of America'.Bentley p.117
Plot
The film narrates the adventures of Christopher Columbus (Antonio Vilar) from his stay in the Convent of La Rbida to his meeting with the Catholic Monarchs and his feat in crossing the Atlantic and reaching the shores of America, ushering in a new era in the history of mankind.
Cast
* Antonio Vilar as Cristbal Coln
* Mara Martn as Beatriz
* Jos Surez as Rey Fernando el Catlico
* Virgilio Teixeira as Pedro de Arana
* Manuel Luna as Isaac
* Eduardo Fajardo as Gastn
* Jess Tordesillas as Fray Juan Prez
* Ana Mara Custodio as Madre de Beatriz
* Jos Marco Dav as Martn Alonso Pinzn
* Ernesto Vilches as Cabrero
* Alberto Romea as Cardenal Mendoza
* Nicols D. Perchicot as Fray Antonio de Marchena
* Fernando Sancho as Pedro Salcedo
* Francisco Pierr as Miembro de la junta
* Arturo Marn as Pedro Vzquez de la Frontera
* Antonio Casas as Juan de la Cosa
* Faustino Bretao as Mensajero que se arrodilla
* Jos Jaspe as Marinero
* Vicente Soler as Conde de Quintanilla
* Carlos Daz de Mendoza as Miembro de la junta
* Alfonso Candel
* Joaqun Pujol
* Miguel Pastor as Pregonero
* Flix Dafauce as Villamarn
* Francisco Hernndez
* Jos Seplveda as Cristbal Sarniento
* Francisco Arenzana as Francisco Arias
* Ramn Elas
* Rafael Arcos as Mensajero del Rey
* Francisco Bernal as Posadero
* Luis Torrecilla
* Jacinto San Emeterio as Gonzalo de Crdoba
* Domingo Rivas as Duque de Medina
* Gary Land
* Antonio Almors as Vicente Yez Pinzn
* Benito Cobea
* Manrique Gil
* Pablo lvarez Rubio
* Tefilo Palou as Secretario de la Corona
* Rafael Calvo Revilla as Secretario de la Corona
* Manuel Aguilera as Secretario de la Corona
* Csar Guzman
* Luis Rivera
* Carmen Capdepont
* Jos Mara Laberni
* Francisco Maroto
* Luis Fernandez
* Jos Riesgo as Miembro del consejo
* Mara Luisa D. de Velasco
* Rafael Corts
* Amparo Rivelles as Reina Isabel la Catlica
References
Bibliography
* Bentley, Bernard. 'A Companion to Spanish Cinema'. Boydell & Brewer 2008.
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