Capt. Alatriste (Viggo Mortensen), a heroic figure of Spain’s 17th-century imperial wars (1620s – 1640s), becomes a mercenary. Based on the main character of a series of novels written by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. Five novels were published before the film was shot, and the film is based in the most important episodes in all of them…and beyond.
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 Netherlands, where the tercio of Diego Alatriste fights against the Dutch during the Dutch Revolt. Lope Balboa (father of Íñigo and friend of the captain) is killed here. Diego decides to return to Madrid where he receives the young Íñigo Balboa in his care.
In Spanish with English subtitles.
Starring Viggo Mortensen, Elena Anaya, Unax Ugalde, Eduard Fernández.
Note: At a cost of 24 million Euros, this was the most expensive Spanish film ever made to date.