In this adaptation of the popular Spanish novels, there's political intrigue, unrequited love, and epic battle scenes but the sheer quantity of events can't distract from the film's lack of quality moments and depth; U.S. theatrical prospects are iffy

This Spanish period piece is beautifully shot, well cast and well acted. The sword play is possibly the most realistic ever to be seen on film emphasising the brutality and pragmatism of its life or death nature and paying no homage to the sport of fencing that has developed since and usually influences such movies. The suffocating political, class and religious undertow of those times is thematic and frames the protagonist's efforts to exist with dignity in the most difficult of circumstances. Don't be put off by the subtitles if you don't speak Spanish - it's an excellent picture.