Apparently there are 3 versions from 1966, 1977, and 1993 (the one in which Edith Gonzalez and Eduardo Palomo star). I have not watched any of these as I was not yet born or old enough to watch the first two. When the 1993 version came out I was in college and spent most of my time at the library. My mother says the 1966 version was great, even better that the 1993 version. What do other people think?
shareI never saw the earlier telenovela versions of this. However, I am starting to review the new version for IMDB. It's already on YouTube.
Based on the cast, I would have to say that the 1966 version sounds good on paper. Enrique Lizalde was the first Juan del Diablo and Jacqueline Andere the first Aimee; how could that be anything but excellent? I doubt, however, that it would be better than the 1993 version, which is one of Televisa's major masterpieces.
There is no doubt in my mind that this story will be made every 12-16 years for each new generation. What I'm wondering is how faithful any of them were to the original book.
The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.
The 93 version strays quite a lot from the novel. The setting is different and even some of the names have been changed (such as last names, first names - all are much more french than Spanish- as well and the location), not to mention the plot: most of the later part of the story - once Juan and Monica are married - is spent at sea. Then Juan is prosecuted which is when Monica truly understands that she loves him and then the story ends.
In the 93 version, they set the action in Veracruz thus having to adapt the names to fit the Spanish/Mexican setting. Both aspects somehow make the story feel more real and grounded than in the novel which, at points, feels more like a wish fulfilling fairy-tale than an actual, some-what realistic story,
There's no living in the village, earth-quake, Monica going to Mexico City and so on ... these were all additions for the script by Maria Zarrattini.
While some (not many, mind you) take issue with these changes I think they work for the story. It becomes much deeper, relevant and complex than it was in the original novel. They especially help the character of Monica develop from a naive, scared young girl to a mature, confident woman, a evolution that is non-existent in the original work.
From what I know the earlier TV and film versions of the novel (of which I've seen just the movie from 77, I believe which is available on youtube)are much more faithful to the novel but like I said the 93 version is the better story - even better than the novel.
ask the spokesperson, I don't have a brain