Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Spanish novelist Arturo Perez Reverte Tuesday lauded the film adaptation of the exploits of his hero, Captain Diego Alatriste, by director Agustin Diaz Yanes in "Alatriste," which debuts on Spanish screens this week.
"I liked it very much, as it is fearsome, pitiless and heroic -- as was my story," Perez Reverte told a pre-screening gathering in Madrid.
Alatriste, played in the film by US actor Viggo Mortensen, 47 of "Lord of the Rings" fame, is a unscrupulous 17th century adventurer in the movie, set in Spain's "golden age" under King Philip IV which coincided with the emergence of artistic giants such as Velasquez and the development of the "New World."
In what critics see as a bold undertaking the film brings together Perez Reverte's five novels featuring Alatriste in a literary saga which has sold millions worldwide.
A sixth is due for release next year.
Perez Reverte said he was concerned "that the film might lose some of the edge" of the written version. But, "happily, it maintains the obscure nature of the character."
The author explained that the events depict a time in Spanish history when the rich saw untold wealth accrue to them while "the poor died like dogs."
The film, to be rolled out in 450 cinemas nationwide, cost 30 million euros (38 million dollars) to make and the rights have been selling well abroad.
Mortensen aside, it stars Spanish actors Eduardo Noriega, Javier Camara, Ariadna Gil, Elena Anaya and Juan Echanove.
gc/cw/gg/sj
AFPEntertainment-Spain-literature-film
AFP 292041 GMT 08 06
COPYRIGHT 2006 Agence France-Presse. All rights reserved.
