Captain From Castile (1948)

Fox honcho Darryl F. Zanuck pulled out all the stops for this expensive 1947 film, which welcomed Tyrone Power back to the world of costume adventures after his World War II service. Power plays Pedro de Vargas, victim of the Spanish Inquisition, who flees to the New World under the flag of the Cortez expedition. This kind of story would have been made in the studio before the war, but the postwar craze for location shooting gives the movie a real visual sweep (it also ballooned the budget to a reported $4.6 million, a huge tab for the era). The Mexican locations are excellent throughout, with the real coup in final section, shot under the shadow (sometimes literally) of an actual erupting volcano--a marvelous real-life effect that director Henry King uses as often as possible.

King worked often with Power, and their shared foursquare approach makes the film satisfying, if rarely exhilarating. The moral complexities of a foreign invasion are dealt with only obliquely, and mostly in Vargas's conversations with an Indian native (nice small role for future Tonto, Jay Silverheels). Romance comes from a Spanish peasant girl who tags along for the journey; she's played, in her film debut, by Jean Peters, who would eventually marry Howard Hughes. Peters had won a beauty contest and a trip to Hollywood, and promptly landed the lead in Captain from Castile; in some shots she's an absolute knockout, in others a plain-faced girl out of her depth. Filling in the story are John Sutton's ice-cold villain, Lee J. Cobb's lusty treasure-seeker, and Cesar Romero's bearded, grandiose Cortez (one of the juiciest roles in Romero's long career). Tyrone Power had completed two offbeat projects at Fox after returning from WWII, The Razor's Edge and Nightmare Alley, so strapping on the doublet and hose was a way of paying back Zanuck. It worked--the movie was a hit--even if Power sometimes chafed at the doublet. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

Captain from Castile is the best ever

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. July 31, 2008

Film even more entertaining than book

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" June 7, 2008

Good old fashioned romantic swashbuckling.

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. June 1, 2008

Ugh!

This was horrible. Firstly, I admit that I'm huge fan of Samuel Shellabarger's novel upon which this movie was allegedly based so I am prejudicial.

Although I'm fully aware that ALL film adaptions of novels must take many liberties with their source material, this ranks as one of the worst adaptions I have EVER seen. The filmmakers didn't "adapt" Shellabarger's novel to the screen- they butchered it! It's virtually unrecognizeable. Horribly cast- the role of 18 year old Pedro De Vargas is played by middle-aged Tyrone Power and the fanastic character of Catana Perez is played by an ultra-bland, dime-a-dozen starlet, Jean Peters. Further, they emphasized the small parts of the story, but none of the epic moments- no La Noche Triste here. In fact, Cortez and his army don't even get to Aztec capital or meet Moteczuma. If you're going to keep me around for nearly two and half hours at least give me some epic stuff to watch!

I can see why this film is rarely mentioned among the great epics. It has pedestrian direction- lots of scenes of characters travelling which just seem to be padding. Also, plotlines are never followed through- what happens to Coatl after his confession, what happened to Pedro's parents, why even introduce the de Carvajals if you're never going to see them again, and the film stops before Cortez even reaches Tenochtitlan. It is clear that the screenwriter had no clue how to convert Shellabarger's novel to the big screen.

Overall, a tepid, wanna-be epic that is best avoided. If you're looking for an exciting historical adventure then I suggest reading the book. April 17, 2008

Smacks with Glory

If you are a student of movie history you will enjoy this rousing Tyrone Power vehicle that shows some history with fanfare. I don't doubt it is relatively accurate in historical fact. The movie is colorful, buoyant, and follows the life of one man, Pedro de Vargas, played by Power. Mostly filmed in beautiful regions of Mexico, it has good camera work. Good directing, and a good sprinkling character development as well. In the beginning we see his wealthy family in Spain and then it being crushed by the Spanish Inquisition. It follows the mother and fathers escape to Italy while Pedro, with two friends along to help him, head for the coast. They join Cortez in the fleet heading for the Indies and a assault on the indians of Mexico. The movie is ripe with nationalism and although may be upsetting to some, it nonetheless tells a somewhat realistic message of conquorers like Cortez. Good quality DVD with extras and decent replayability. This can be purchased as part of a set of classic movies here at Amazon. March 6, 2008

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