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Alatriste
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Wikipedia article
'Alatriste' is a 2006 Spanish epic historical fiction war film directed by Agustn Daz Yanes, based on the main character of a series of novels written by Arturo Prez-Reverte, 'The Adventures of Captain Alatriste' .
The film, which stars Viggo Mortensen, is the second most expensive Spanish language film ever made in Spain (about 24 million – US$30 million); only preceded by 'Agora'. It portrays Spain of the 17th century using both fictional and real characters. Twentieth Century Fox has bought the rights to the film.
The film was released on 1 September 2006.
Plot
The story takes place during the 17th century in the Spanish Empire. Diego Alatriste is a soldier in the service of King Philip IV of Spain during the Eighty Years' War. The story begins in the Spanish Netherlands, where his 'tercio' fights in the Dutch Revolt. His friend Lope Balboa is killed during the fighting, and Alatriste returns to Madrid where he takes Lope's young son igo into his care.
Alatriste is hired along with a Sicilian assassin named Gualterio Malatesta to kill the Prince of Wales (the future King Charles I of England) and his companion, the Duke of Buckingham. The job is contracted by Emilio Bocanegra and Luis de Alquzar (uncle of igo's love interest, Anglica de Alquzar). Alatriste finally returns to the Netherlands in 1624 (although the movie states 1625) and participates in the final battles leading to Breda's surrender. After returning to Spain, igo wants to elope with Anglica, but she gets cold feet at the last moment. Alatriste has a romance with actress Mara de Castro. Because she was disappointed that she failed to marry him, she became the lover of Philip IV. Alatriste ends up crossing swords with Guadalmedina, a friend of the king. In the end, the object of their attention falls ill with syphilis. The duel with his friend Martn Saldaa and the punishment of igo in the galleys are part of the film's spectacular ending.
The last scenes are at the Battle of Rocroi (May 1643), described in the last book of 'The Adventures of Captain Alatriste' saga. During the battle, Abel Moreno Gmez's "La Madrug" is playing as the defeated army's march and this is where it is assumed that Alatriste dies.
The plot of the film has elements from each of the five books published up to the premiere, and it maintains the same storyline for the main characters. It includes excerpts from the future books of the saga.
Cast
Antonio Resines, originally slated to appear as Saldaa, almost retired from the entire movie due to a traffic accident; however, he makes a cameo appearance in the Battle of Rocroi as a musketeer officer.
Awards and nominations
beach, Cdiz, Spain
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| align = "center" rowspan = "17" | 2007 || 12th Forqu Award || colspan = "2" | Best Film || ||
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| rowspan = "15" | 21st Goya Awards || colspan = "2" | Best Film || || rowspan = "15" |
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| Best Actor || Viggo Mortensen ||
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| Best Director || Agustn Daz Yanes ||
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| Best Adapted Screenplay || Agustn Daz Yanes ||
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| Best Supporting Actor || Juan Echanove ||
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| Best Supporting Actress || Ariadna Gil ||
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| Best Production Supervision || Cristina Zumrraga ||
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| Best Original Score || Roque Baos ||
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| Best Art Direction || Benjamn Fernndez ||
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| Best Costume Design || Francesca Sartori ||
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| Best Cinematography || ||
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| Best Editing || Jos Salcedo ||
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| Best Makeup and Hairstyles || Jos Luis Prez ||
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| Best Sound || Dominique Hennequin, Patrice Grisolet, Pierre Gamet ||
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| Best Special Effects || Reyes Abades, Rafael Solorzano ||
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| 16th Actors and Actresses Union Awards || Best Film Actor in a Minor Role || Javier Cmara || ||
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References
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