Product Description A 16th-century Spanish nobleman escapes the Inquisition by exploring the New World with Cortez. .com 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
J**N
For an old movie, it looks very good
Its worth watching even though its very old. Tyrone Power is great as is the supporting cast of friends and villians.
G**C
A good solid entertaining movie
Tyrone Power, back from service as a Marine pilot, (many of the movie industries major 'names' went into Armed Forces during WWII, mostly in the Special Services Divison. But some, Power, James Stewart and Clark Gable, and others, SERVED) headlines this very well done movie. A Castilan nobleman and his family (Power) runs afoul of the Inquistion and its 'enforcement arm' the 'Santa Hermandad' and Power is forced to flee Spain which he does, joining Hernado Cortez's expedition to Mexico. Cortez is not highly regarded today of course, particularly in Mexico, and Caesar Romero's portryal of him does show some of conqueror's less admirable traits. Lee J. Cobb also has a good role as Power's troubled friend, who has also fled to the expeidtion to avoid pursuit. And watch for Jay Silverheels, TV's 'Tonto' of "The Lone Ranger' series, in his small (uncredited) role as the Indian slave who escapes Power's enemy only to turn up later as an Aztec nobleman. Special mention must be made of Jean Peters. This was her first role, and she does an excellent job with it, with her beauty easily translating to the camera. It's easy to see why she caught her future husband's Howard Hughes, eye. And her dance with Power is a solid contender for the hottest fully clothed 'G-rated' two minutes on film....
M**T
Great Drama, AND historically accurate
FINALLY on DVD. First off, one of my favorite movies. Ever. Fabulous color, gorgeous leading players, and a lush Alfred Newman score.While I hate the usual "As a..." to "justify" a comment, I must say that, as a Mexican American, it is nice to enjoy both a rousing swashbuckler that accurately represents--aside from the usual dramatic license re love interests, etc.--what happened. The "primary source" material is Father Bernal Diaz de Castillo who accompanied the Cortez expedition. I like to think the Thomas Gomez character is based upon him. "It's the Romantic In Me" [thank you, Inspector Reynod]. Additionally, the woman referred to as "Dona Maria" is dead-on accurate; she did exist, and went on to bear Hernan Cortez a child. Without her, it is doubtful that Cortez could have made the progress he did. She saved his life, and those of the Spanish troops, more than once by uncovering plots in the kitches of their hosts, etc.Finally, I sadly read one review here by a proud Spaniard who seems unable to recognize the equivalent pride of we who boast of Mexican ancestry--my family from Aguas Calientes in Mexico. For, in so doing, we can legitimately point to our Spanish blood with almost as much pride as we do our Indian. This site is a happy place for sharing our reviews; I therefore toss to my Spanish counterpart a rose of friendship in a spirit one would ordinarilly associate with our friends from the Spanish Penninsula. And if refused, then a friendly challenge to the sword! A tu salud!
M**O
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"
H**S
this work holds up despite its age
This, along with Bergman's "Persona," is my favorite movie. The novel, although not one of the masterpieces of the first class like "war and Peace" etc. is thoroughly entertaining and this adaptation of part of it holds up well despite its age. The acting is good, the story engaging, and the score by Newman is outstanding. I have never seen a better ending on a movie than this one. The army of Cortez glistens as it marches down into the valley in which the lakes holding Tenochtilan, the future Mexico City, are seen spread out. DeLasCaces in his book historia de las indias reports of volcanoes going off at the time, and Newman's "Conquest" plays on the soundtrack.
T**.
It's a SOAP OPERA not an action packed historical adventure movie.
I thought it was going to be Cortez versus Montazuma movie NO, NO,NO. It's a grand, big scale Soap Opera with a large cast,spectacular scenery with plenty of sword fights and more plot twists and turns to keep you watching until the end when Cortez and his army march off to confront Montezuma and his army.
G**Y
Great Value on Great Movie
The Blu-ray disc was in pristine condition. The quality of the sound room image was fantastic. The price was great and the service was just as offered. I would definitely do business with them again.
R**R
Not Enough Real History
The conquest of Mexico is one of the great adventure stories in history. This film trivializes it by focusing on the story of one Spanish nobleman (Tyrone Power) and by treating only the beginning of Cortes' campaign. Cesar Romero makes the film in the role of Cortes. He is energetic and magnetic. It's a great performance. The rest of the film pales in comparison. Some will resent the heroic treatment of the conquest, and those who do probably shouldn't see this movie.
P**R
Check your have been posted
What are you talking about? This item has arrived two weeks ago. Get a grip. I don't do reviews.
C**R
sehr spannender Film
Dieser Film zeigt sehr viel von Mexiko und über die Eroberung eines Weltreiches durch die Spanier.Damals war Ty der schönste Mann der Welt. Er harmoniert wieder prächtig. Man kann sich nicht sattsehen an der Handlung.In der heutigen Zeit würde man diesen Film mit Raoul Bova oder Orlando Bloom besetzen.Tyrone ist ein Eroberer, also warum sollte er keinen spielen. Unbedingt am Abend bei Kerzenschein ansehen.
A**R
Replacement
Another vhs replacement however this specific movie I only had from recording it off of the television with commercials. Therefore you can probably guess how happy I was to find it available on dvd!
R**N
captain from castile
very good film nicely filmed on actual historical locations which makes it entertaining and interesting, rather expensiveto buy but may never be broadcast again on television therefore maybe worth it .
B**K
Four Stars
good old swash buckler+and watchable/
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