User reviews

The conquest of Mexico by Hernan Cortez in the early 16th Century is the backdrop of a story of love,courage and adventure in this entertaining swashbuckler. The movie was Jean Peters's first and she's a beguiling creature in this ,although her acting leaves a lot to be desired at this point in her career.Cesar Romero as Cortez paints an entertaining portrayal of this ruthless opportunist. The stunning color-cinematography is something to behold. Captured on the screen is an erupting volcano in the background of some of the action. Tyrone Power does his usual competent job in this kind of adventure story.The movie is very entertaining but it does drag a bit in its 2 and a half hour running-time.

In the spring of 1518, in Spain, the nobleman Pedro de Vargas (Tyrone Power) helps the Indian slave and his friend Coatl (Jay Silverheels) to escape from the cruel Diego de Silva (John Sutton) and then he rescues the plebeian Catana Perez (Jean Peters) from two men of Diego de Silva. He goes to the inn where Catana works to explain why the sheets are torn up, and Pedro befriends Juan Garcia (Lee J. Cobb), a simple man that made fortune in Cuba.

When he comes home, Pedro finds that Diego de Silva has used his political influence to accuse Pedro and his family of heretics and they are imprisoned. Diego's executioners torture and kill Pedro's twelve years old sister but Juan Garcia and Catana help Pedro and his the family to escape from prison: Pedro's parents go to Italy and Pedro, Juan and Catana go to Cuba and join Cortez' expedition to Mexico. They participate of the fall of the Aztec Empire in the beginning of the Spanish colonization of the New World.

"Captain from Castile" is a melodramatic and romantic epic adventure having the historic conquest of Mexico by Hernando Cortez as background. Tyrone Power is excellent in the role of a Spaniard nobleman that joins the first expedition of Cortez to Mexico and is promoted to captain for his loyalty and efficiency. Jean Peters is amazingly beautiful and John Sutton is a great villain. The story is politically incorrect in the present days but is accurate and a great entertainment. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Capitão de Castela" ("The Captain from Castile")

It is my understanding that this Hollywood adaptation of Samuel Shellabarger's book enraged the author so much that he put some kind of legal injunction against the Hollywood producers that prevented them from making the video and other profits for 50 years! The reason: The film stops half-way through the novel!

I love historical fiction and Shellabarger along with Raphael Sabatini (The Sea Hawk, Captain Blood) are my favorite authors of historical adventures.

In spite of Shellabarger's attitude to Hollywood, I was delighted to see this film. I only wish they could have made the whole book come to life, because the action and plot are much more intense in the second half of the book -- especially when Cortez has returned to lay siege to the Aztec city. Shellabarger reads very much like Bernal Diaz, a common soldier under Cortez who wrote a history of the Conquest of Mexico. Diaz's and Shellabarger's description of the fighting on the Aztec aqueducts is the most intense and desperate battle literature I have ever read!

I think this film should be remade as soon as possible and give the viewing audience the whole story. Of course, there will never be another Tyrone Power, Jean Peters or Cesar Romero, but do it anyway -- and use Alfred Newman's original music score (adopted by the USC Trojans as their own "Conquest" march), and let Newman's son and nephew add the remainder of the score! With today's high-tech special effects this story would surpass "Gladiator" in splendor, spectacle, and action if Shellabarger was followed religiously and completely. Shellabarger deserves the same fidelity that J.R.R. Tolkein has received from the New Zealand producers of "Lord of the Rings."

In spite of its shortcomings to the author, I have loved this film for half a century! It is my favorite classic film. I fell in love with Jean Peters as Catana when I was only six years old in 1950; which is when I first saw the film. The "Catana" Love Theme has played in my head from time to time ever since! Now I have it on video, thank God. My every guest gets offered a viewing of it; as well as a listen to its soundtrack by Newman.

What more can I say? The film, like the book, struck a chord in me that refuses to stop playing.

When making a swashbuckling adventure movie set during the Spanish Inquisition, who do you think Hollywood would cast? Tyrone Power of course! Back safe and sound from WWII, Ty continued his exciting career at full throttle, so if you liked The Black Swan and The Mark of Zorro, you'll want to watch Captain from Castile.

Alfred Newman gives a reprisal of his music from The Black Swan, with the substitution of a Spanish flair for the pirate flair, and in Technicolor, the lush costumes and on-location backgrounds are very pretty to watch-not to mention the prettiness of the lead. After Ty's family is accused, tortured, and killed unjustly in the Inquisition, he joins a band of rebels bent on taking down the bad guys. Ty never takes on an accent during these swashbuckling movies-although you can catch him with an Irish accent in a couple of others-but he puts his heart into his heroes, so it hardly seems to matter, even when everyone else around him puts on an accent.

You'll have to search hard to recognize Cesar Romero, the lead of the fighting rebels, for he's covered up in a helmet and a beard and doesn't look at all like his usual handsome self. He does smile a couple of times, and you can tell it's he's in there. Thankfully, Tyrone Power is thoroughly prettied up with long, curly hair, making him look like George Clooney. While it's normally an effort to tear your eyes away from him when he's on the screen, during the seductive dance between him and Jean Peters, it's practically impossible. His lustful expression is even more distracting that his beautiful, perfect nose in profile.

If you're undecided as to your opinion on old swashbucklers, this might not be the best to start with, also if you're not interested in the time period. But if you do like this genre, or if Ty is your favorite of the bucks, you'll want to watch it. Also, you'll get to see a very young Jean Peters in her first movie, and since she didn't make many, it's fun to see her while you can.

There are many pleasant surprises in this epic movie. For one, it was filmed in spectacular Technicolor and was superbly photographed in actual locations. Piramids were built, volcanoes were erupting for real and ancient ship replicas were destroyed at sea. One of the main surprises was seeing that the beautiful Jean Peters could act. This actress without much dramatic training did an excellent job in her movie debut. She practically steals the picture from Tyrone Power - Impossible? She does, and he's very good in this one. See her last scene, while waiting to move deeper into Mexico with Cortez; it's a treasure. I became a fan after seeing Miss Peters in the pirate flick "Anne of the Indies" (she plays 'the pirate'), and have seen most of her movies since. It's a shame Fox didn't use her talents in better fares, such as Susan Hayward's "I Want to Live", but then Howard Hughes came into the picture while she was doing Castille and, I imagine, his obsession over her beauty ruined a promising career. This film is partly based on true events and has an excellent cast, a fantastic screenplay and a musical score by Arthur Newman that rivals any other composed for anepic flick -then and even now. It's on DVD now. Get it before they become extinct. It's worth seeing. Beautiful vistas, a handsome Ty Power and a gorgeous Jean Peters.

Set 16th-century , mainly concerning Spanish nobleman Pedro de Vargas : Tyrone Power forced to flee the wrath of inquisition chief : John Sutton . Along the way, he's embroiled in continuous adventures , and takes peasant girl Cantana -introducing the fiery Jean Peters to screen- who helped him , and joins Cortez's expedition to Mexico and the search for Aztec riches , eventually participating in the fall of the Aztec Empire ruled by Emperor Moctezuma. Master of Women's Hearts ...Conqueror of a New World ! Here is the full surge of conquest of gold and empire ! My Sword shall make a New World ...your Kiss will make it Paradise !

A slice of 16th-century history about the Spanish colonization of the New World with lots of adventures , fencing , breathtaking duels and old-fashioned pageantry. Regarding Hernan Cortez and its conquest of the Aztec Empire , furthermore the rousing battles scenes should please the action enthusiasts . Very good main cast as Tyrone Power , Cesar Romero and Jean Peters' screen debut . Great support cast with several familiar faces , such as : Lee J Cobb, John Sutton , Alan Mowbray , Thomas Gomez, Barbara Lawrence, George Zucco, Mark Lawrence, Antonio Moreno , Roy Roberts , among others . Cameramen Charles Clarke and Arthur Arling provide a brilliant cinematography that is clarity itself , and filmed largely on location in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Morella, Michoacan, Acapulco , Guerrero, Mexico . And accompanied by a rousing as well as sensitive musical score by maestro Alfred Newman .

The film is freely based on historical events , though the first part dealing with Inquisition pursuit is most fictitious than second one . As the second part regarding Hernan Cortes conquest , reenacting his tumultuous history . As in 1519 , Cuba governor Diego Velazquez trusted him the command an expedition to Yucatan , including 11 ships , 600 soldiers and artillery enough . Arriving in Mexico , he battles local natives , vanquising them and being gifted the India Marina or Malinche who helps him as an interpreter , subsequently founding city of Veracruz and firing the ships to impede the people return to Mexico. Cortez establishes alliances with local kings , making peace with natives submitted by Aztecs , as the Indians Toltecas and Tlaxcaltecas . Later on , Hernan Cortes leads his army to Tenochtitlan to meet Aztec Emperor Moctezuma , but there things go awry .

The Spanish inquisition and the invasion of Cortez into Mexico - Henry King style!

A film firmly split in two halves, Captain From Castile may at times over stretch its aims on the, but the sweepingly gorgeous texture is quite something to behold. Tyrone Power takes up the lead role of Pedro De Vargas and firmly cements his star status with a wonderful performance, handsome and brave, he carries the film easily on its joyous course from Spain to Mexico, whilst stoic male support comes from Cesar Romero (Cortez and never better), Lee J. Cobb (Juan Garcia) and John Sutton (Diego De Silva). Head female duty falls to a vibrantly young Jean Peters (in her film debut) as Catana Perez, pretty and beguiling, her gorgeous green eyes shining bright in this Technicolor spectacle, she is the perfect foil to Power's dash and swagger.

Production costs are thought to have been over $4 million, yet even though the film sadly lost money, the money spent is still evident at every turn and it proved to be very popular with critics and film lovers alike. Director Henry King wonderfully utilises the panoramic vistas of the Mexican locale and the costumes come right out of the top draw, but one of the most striking things in this magnificent production is the score from Alfred Newman. Stirring and emotionally hard, it has to rank as one of the best scores to have ever been composed. I strongly recommend the isolated score option on the excellent Region 1 DVD. It's a far from perfect film for sure (the no battle pay-off at the finale is a great disappointment), but the harking back to old historical days of yore can induce a tingle on the spine, and in that respect the piece delivers handsomely. Just like its leading man ironically enough. 8/10

Alfred Newman's thundering score delivers more epic feelings than this film conveys. Is there some scenes that were cut? Did the producers run out of money? Not one battle scene to match the grand score's promise.A mismatch of promise and actuality. Over at Warner Brother's the great Max Steiner let loose the class A "The Adventures of Don Juan" theme that matched that films' much more lively proceedings. Tyrone Powers and Errol Flynn are labeled swashbucklers because their early career triumphs were in slash and bow movies, with IMHO Flynn the greater. By this time in their respective careers they were quite sick of the label but while The Captain is all serious except for Cesar Romero's lusty portrayal of Cortes' Don Juan has a tongue in cheek appeal though when the time comes Errol and Steiner's score rise to the challenge of rescuing the kingdom. See Don Juan for the action, humor,and score listen to Captain's theme and what could've been.

It's a shame that 20th Century Fox has yet to have released DVD editions of many of the films of the studio's biggest star, Tyrone Power. Almost impossibly handsome, enormously popular, and with excellent acting credentials, Power nearly singlehandedly kept the studio solvent in the traumatic transition years following WWII, with costume epics like "Captain from Castile" showcasing his strengths.

"Castile" echoes Power's earlier films, "The Mark of Zorro" and "Son of Fury", as again he plays a gallant standing against an arrogant aristocratic class, but this time he runs afoul of the Inquisition, and must flee Spain to re-establish his wealth and reputation, accompanied by loyal friend Lee J. Cobb, and a servant girl who secretly adores him (Jean Peters, in one of her best performances). Recruited into the service of the charismatic Hernando Cortez (Cesar Romero, who nearly steals the film), it's off to Aztlan (Mexico, today) with a small army to face the overwhelming but naive Aztec civilization.

While the film frequently drifts into melodrama, shooting on location in Mexico (with the permission and support of the Mexican government), in glorious Technicolor, gives even the most mundane moments a sense of spectacle, and the cast is in top form. Worth singling out is a terrific supporting performance by Thomas Gomez, as a soldier/priest who dispenses common sense as well as religion, and helps Power realize that the woman he truly loves is not on a balcony, in Spain, but beside him, as they march towards their destiny.

Two aspects of the film deserve special recognition; Alfred Newman's score, featuring the vaulting 'Conquest' march, is one of the finest of his long career, and is even more popular today than when the film was released; and Arthur E. Arling and Charles G. Clarke's cinematography is truly magnificent, particularly in the breathtaking finale, as Cortez' forces proudly march across a broad plain, with active volcanoes in the background. Never has going 'on location' been more justified, as the image is unforgettable! If any 'Powers that Be' are reading this review, PLEASE offer this film on DVD, soon! And while you're at it, consider Power's other great films of the 40s and 50s; he deserves to be 'rediscovered' by audiences, today...

Tyrone Power is a nobleman forced to flee his home during the Spanish Inquisition. A series of adventures follow featuring a beautiful peasant girl (Jean Peters) who escapes with him. Both of them are hunted by an evil officer (John Sutton) and later all are involved in following Cortez on his expedition to Mexico.

Swordplay, battle scenes, triumphal marches and a bittersweet love story combine to make this the kind of adventure-romance Tyrone Power inevitably found himself in at Fox. The color photography is gorgeous and the music, by Alfred Newman, is outstanding, ranging from tender love themes to dances and the march for Cortez. It's lavish entertainment on a grand scale--with just a few slow stretches--but all in all guaranteed to give you satisfying entertainment.

Parents beware: the Inquisition scenes are realistic and there are scenes of brutality not advisable for the very young.

When I was a kid, there was no better promise of swashbuckling adventure than the sight of Tyrone Power with a sword in his hand. "The Mark of Zorro", "The Black Swan, "Prince of Foxes", "The Black Rose". Pick any one for grand adventure. "Captain from Castile" is the state of the art might and glory of the Hollywood studio system doing an epic adventure blockbuster the way they used to do them.

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.

The first time I saw a version of "Captain from Castile" was on a black and white TV in the late Fifties and it became one of my favorite films which I have seen at least ten times and will continue to pull it out. It was a pleasant surprise to see the full version in color as I thought it was shot in black and white

This doesn't have the spectacular effects of today's films. It is just an excellent "old school" adventure film which deals with honor and loyalty which are pretty much lacking in today's films. It fired my young imagination and encouraged me to read the book by Samuel Shellabarger upon which it was based.

It has a wonderful cast including Ty Power, Jean Peters, Lee J. Cobb, John Sutton, Caesar Romero, and a lot of veterans in minor rolls including Jay Silverheels (Tonto). Alfred Newman's score is good.

Power was great as usual and Jean Peters turns in an excellent performance -- this was her first film.

Much of the film was shot in Mexico following the actual route that Cortez followed when he was conquering the Aztecs. (Check out the live volcano in the background that was erupting while the film was shot. That ain't a painted background.)

I highly recommend this film especially if you haven't seen a Tyrone Power film because this is one of his best.

I could not put it into better words. This movie has it all love,action,betrayal,adventure,misery,loyalty,jealousy,honor and Tyrone Power. I first saw this film on AMC a year ago and i love it from beginning to end. Tyrone Power gives an incredible performance as a spanish nobleman who is on the run. If anyone else likes Tyrone Power in this film be sure to check out "the eddy duchin story" and "the razor's edge" he acts better in these films . This man could act his ass off, too bad he does not get that much recognition as other classic hollywood stars. He is definitely one of my top ten favorite actors of all time.

Set in the early 16th century, the story follows the exploits of Spaniard Pedro De Vargas (Tyrone Power), the son of a noble family who is forced to become a fugitive by the Inquisition, under the local control of the corrupt Diego De Silva (John Sutton). Vargas escapes to Cuba along with new friend Juan Garcia (Lee J. Cobb) and lowly servant girl Catana (Jean Peters). They all join the expedition of Hernando Cortez (Cesar Romero) into central Mexico and the land of the Aztecs in search of gold and glory.

Based on a then-recent bestseller, this was a very expensive movie for Fox, and it wasn't without production troubles. Original leading lady Linda Darnell was yanked away to try and save Forever Amber, and the little-known Jean Peters was her replacement. I don't dislike Peters, but Darnell would have been much better. The film also had to tone down several aspects of the book: the Catholic Church complained about the depiction of the Spanish Inquisition, so the filmmakers put a non-clergy civilian in charge (the villain played by John Sutton, who does a good job with the role); and the atrocities committed by Cortez and his army against the natives are whitewashed almost completely out of the picture.

On the plus side, the costumes and sets are fantastic, and the score is very good. The film only covers about half of the book's contents, despite running nearly 2 and a half hours, and the resolution to the movie is weak. I don't know if they planned a follow-up since that wasn't as common at the time, but the film's poor box office negated the prospect. It still ended up earning an Oscar nomination for Best Score (Alfred Newman).

The movie starts out with Pedro De Vargas getting into a conflict with the Spanish Inquisition. Very interesting start really. And to escape he joins conquest of the new world. I had no problem so far and it was interesting.

But what was fast showed was that Pedro (Tyrone) did actually not really have a problem with the inquisition. Only if it was his own family that was the target. There was no problem for him treating the Indians the same way.

The movie was more a love story where Jean Peters did the best effort in the movie and was the only really likable person. Unfortunately the movie also started to drag or show no sense of direction.

In the end the movie just fizzles out without any grand battle or true conquest or even tying the Inquisition story or conquest story together.

I would not recommend this movie as none of the aspects in the movie besides the Romance is really followed through.

Tyrone Power is one hot Castilian as the "Captain from Castile" which costars Jean Peters, John Sutton, Cesar Romero, Thomas Gomez, Jay Silverheels, and Lee J. Cobb.

This film, which cost a fortune, was rushed into release after Darryl F. Zanuck, in a panic when he saw Tyrone Power against type and looking like a washed-up drunkin Nightmare Alley, pulled that film from distribution and substituted it with this one.

Power is a man who flees with his family during the Spanish Inquisition to the new land, Mexico, along with Cobb and Peters. She's in love with Power. Tough acting assignment. The villain, whom Power believes he has killed, is played by John Sutton, an instrument of the Inquisition who winds up in Mexico as well after killing Power's young sister. The entire cast is great - and the scenery! A live volcano, no less! The music! Sensational. A first-class production all the way.

Power really didn't like doing these roles, but the public demanded them of him, and he is dashing, heroic and romantic throughout. He had been a matinée idol for 11 years, but in this film, he is showcased as if the audience is seeing him for the first time. Riding a horse, being tough, being romantic, dancing - it's all him and he's marvelous.

Romero makes a fantastic Cortez. It's really difficult to single anyone out because they're all so good. John Sutton was beyond evil.

Jean Peters had an interesting career at Fox. Here she is quite young and effective. Even when she was moved into second rate films, it seems as if she was always given the heavy acting role, so it's obvious that her talent was recognized by the studio.

I believe that during the period in which the film was made, Power was involved with Lana Turner. Lucky woman, even if she did lose him to Linda Christian later on.

I give this film a lot of kudos for tackling the subject of Spanish conquistadors. Very few films, apart from AGUIRRE: THE WRATH OF GOD and a few more recent films about Columbus, have studios even bothered to talk about this very historically significant period. And it's also obvious that the writers/director/producers have really done a thorough job of investigating the era and reading the journals of these men to ensure accuracy. However, despite all this the film is a tad dull--and that's a lot considering I am a history teacher. It just seemed to me they could have included a little bit of humor or humanity to make the characters seem a little less flat. No, I do NOT want the Spaniards cracking jokes while pillaging and murdering, but something to give some color and depth to the picture would have helped elevate it to greatness.

The period is the early 16th century and the place is Spain. So why is everyone speaking with an American accent? Talk about credibility problems!!

Looking forward to a nice old-fashioned swashbuckling action film, a la Captain Blood or The Sea Hawk, I wound up disappointed as this film almost put me to sleep in the first half hour alone.

I have no complaints with the Technicolor, which always looked super in the 1940s films, nor the costuming in here. Jean Peters looked great, too, but I can't say the same for the story which, to me, was just uninvolving and flat.

Tyrone Power as Spaniard "Pedro de Vargas?" No, that didn't work, either. He's about as Spanish as I am, and he was too old to play the role which called for a very young adult male.