samantha3, I think you're right in that you shouldn't trust a few comments about "most viewers" not liking this particular film, so I would advise you to wait until it's released in the US in order to have an opinion.
Meanwhile, my humble opinion is: I've just seen the flick and I regret that I can't ask my money back, what a waste of 6 euros, in fact what a waste of a 28 million budget!!!
They based the film not in one particular Alatriste book, but in the 5 of them, condensed in a 2 hour movie, the result looks like a bunch of disconnected scenes, the time voids are so big there's no bloody way to follow the plot unless you've read the books and, if you've read them, you'll feel so disappointed...
I'm afraid everyone I know who's watched "Alatiste" thinks the same: absolutely, unbearably boring and filled with plot holes.
Sorry
reply
share
17 years ago
[deleted]
acheron33
17 years ago
1=starting with the battle of rocroi end and introducting iñigo as the officer than he was on the time of the battle .
2: following the history of the 2 book the whole history but adding the figth with malatesta and the others mercenarys on the theather.
3: following it the problems with the inquisition .
4: warfare on flanders siege of breda and the encamisada.
5: return to spain assaul to the treasure ship .
6 finishing here
the rest would be added on a 2 film .
i think the first 50 mins should belong to the first book because its who introduce the character such quevedo iñigo caridad ....
reply
share
rogornmoradan
17 years ago
28 million? Boy, the budget keeps growing even after filming.
Yes, there is 'bloody way to follow the plot', and that is paying attention. Most people I talked to, whether they read the books or not, have been able to follow it. Unless they disconnected halfway through, which is another kettle of fish altogether.
And I'm not afraid that not everyone who's watched 'Alatriste' thinks the same.
No problem, apology accepted.
reply
share
jfsandin
17 years ago
It's just a movie (from my point of view not even a good one) not an excuse to be rude to people you don't even know.
As I already said, If you want to watch it, do it, then you can have an opinion, if you like it, good for you, I didn't.
And there IS a dif(f)erent way to do it, watch "El Maestro de Esgrima", by Pedro Olea, and you'll understand what I mean.
By the way, it wasn't an apology.
reply
share
17 years ago
[deleted]
jfsandin
17 years ago
In any case, if you're a Pérez-Reverte fan, and you may have enjoyed his second novel, "The Fencing Master", which by the way shares many of the Capitán Alatriste themes: how a past historical period mirrors the present situation in Spain, how corruption, conspiracies and inept politicians ruin the country, a hero out of his time, lots of sword fights...
So check this out:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104788/
It's one of the best films made in Spain in the 90s, unluckily it didn't have a good distribution.
Some years ago Díaz-Yanes directed a very good film, it is my opinion (again just an opinion) it was his only good film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113918/
reply
share
rogornmoradan
17 years ago
Rude? This coming from the person who said there was 'no bloody way of following the plot'and who claimed to be speaking for 'everybody' - Thanks for expressing it better in your last message, though. I have no problems with people expressing 'their opinion'.
I see what you mean with 'El maestro de esgrima'. Not the same challenge of adaptation at all. That's just one book, compared to a five-book saga (and beyond).
reply
share
jfsandin
17 years ago
And you still don't get what the point is???
Again just an opinion but, why not choosing only one of the books (either the first or the third one, El Capitán Alatriste and El Sol de Breda could be quite suitable...), and avoid some possible challenge; to me this film just looks like a wannabe epic, where the amount of money invested is not even noticeable, the point of the books completely lost and anyone's better off watching either El Maestro the Esgrima or The Ninth Gate.
Did I claim to be expressing everyone's opinion???
Was I ever rude to you???
Are you using your own imagination here???
Have we watched the same film???
Is it really possible out there to find people who don't really have a life apart from movies and the internet???
If this wasn't the internet and people would have to actually face other people, would they act so cocky and disrespectfully???
Well then keep on enjoying yourself behaving like this, telling people you don’t have to face those things you wouldn’t dare say to your neighbours and workmates, I'm not going to bother replying any more nonsense you write over here.
reply
share
dancalvo
17 years ago
What you say about "there's no bloody way to follow the plot unless you've read the books" is just...
...A LIE.
I followed the plot, I didn't read the books, and, of course, I'm no genius.
reply
share
17 years ago
[deleted]
Ali_U2
17 years ago
Me, too.I have watched films in the past that others have found difficult to follow and I'm certainly no intellectual.I enjoy a film that has a lot going on and 'Alatriste' certainly fits that category.
At least 'Alatriste' had introduced a lot of non-Spanish people to a time in their history which is not well known outside of Spain.I find that period incredibly fascinating.I'm even going to the Velazquez exhibition in London in January and trying to learn Spanish,all because of 'Alatriste'.
I can't wait to see this film.
reply
share