The most exciting part of "Captain from Castile" should have been the least exciting, the beginning of the story that takes place in Spain when the De Vargas family is wronged at the hands of Diego De Silva (John Sutton) in the name of the Spanish Inquisition. Pedro De Vargas (Tyrone Power) seeking a runaway servant from the New World, happens upon two of De Silva's men tormenting a tavern girl, Catana Perez (Jean Peters), by sicking dogs on her to tear the laundry she is carrying to shreds. Pedro deals forcefully with the men who in turn run back to tell their master. To avenge this effrontery to his station in life, De Silva, who heads the Inquisition in the area, declares the entire De Vargas family heretics, having them arrested and thrown into jail to be dealt with accordingly. Pedro's twelve-year old sister is tortured to death by orders from De Silva. Pedro, along with his mother and father, are broken out of prison by an acquaintance, Juan Garcia (Lee J. Cobb). In the process Pedro has the opportunity to kill De Vargas to avenge his sister's death but only wounds him. Pedro's mother and father hide out in Italy, but Garcia persuades Pedro and Catana, who has aided in the escape, to accompany him on an expedition headed by Hernando Cortez (Cesar Romero) to seek gold and adventure in the newly discovered West Indies. This part of the film is filled with action and suspense, well edited, directed with finesse by Henry King with breathtaking photography by Arthur E. Arling and Charles G. Clarke.
After such a magnificent build up, the rest of the movie should have been even more exciting, but, alas, it is not. Too much time is spent on the romance between Pedro and Catana, making this part of the film melodramatic soap opera, with a few exceptions such as the theft of the gems and the confrontation between Pedro and his old nemesis, De Silva, who reappears on the scene as an emissary from the King of Spain seeking to introduce the Inquisition to the New World. And just when the main event is to occur, the conquest of the mighty Aztec Empire by the handful of Conquistadors, the show is over. What a disappointment!
Though weak in its second half, "Captain of Castille, is worthwhile for several reasons. One is the on-location cinematography; the introduction reads that when possible the story occurs in the exact places where Cortez and his army traveled. Second, the acting is top notch with standout performances from Tyrone Power, Jean Peters, Cesar Romero, and in particular by John Sutton who plays the nasty villain De Silva with élan. (Jay Silverheels shows great potential in the small but significant role of Coatl, before he became typecast as Tonto.) Third, the musical score by Alfred Newman, which was deservedly nominated for an Academy Award, adds much to the overall effect of the film, especially the "Conquest" march. Finally, the movie serves as a good introduction to the history of the period, although the ill treatment of the Native Americans by the Conquistadores is basically ignored. Of significance is the emphasis on the class system that existed in Spain and was brought to Mexico by Cortez and his army along with the Catholic religion, still powerful forces in Mexican culture today.
After such a magnificent build up, the rest of the movie should have been even more exciting, but, alas, it is not. Too much time is spent on the romance between Pedro and Catana, making this part of the film melodramatic soap opera, with a few exceptions such as the theft of the gems and the confrontation between Pedro and his old nemesis, De Silva, who reappears on the scene as an emissary from the King of Spain seeking to introduce the Inquisition to the New World. And just when the main event is to occur, the conquest of the mighty Aztec Empire by the handful of Conquistadors, the show is over. What a disappointment!
Though weak in its second half, "Captain of Castille, is worthwhile for several reasons. One is the on-location cinematography; the introduction reads that when possible the story occurs in the exact places where Cortez and his army traveled. Second, the acting is top notch with standout performances from Tyrone Power, Jean Peters, Cesar Romero, and in particular by John Sutton who plays the nasty villain De Silva with élan. (Jay Silverheels shows great potential in the small but significant role of Coatl, before he became typecast as Tonto.) Third, the musical score by Alfred Newman, which was deservedly nominated for an Academy Award, adds much to the overall effect of the film, especially the "Conquest" march. Finally, the movie serves as a good introduction to the history of the period, although the ill treatment of the Native Americans by the Conquistadores is basically ignored. Of significance is the emphasis on the class system that existed in Spain and was brought to Mexico by Cortez and his army along with the Catholic religion, still powerful forces in Mexican culture today.