Cervantes(film)

Cervantes
USfilm poster
Directed by	Vincent Sherman
Written by	Enrico Bomba(uncredited) Bruno Frank(novel)
Produced by	Alexander Salkind Pier Luigi Torri
Starring	Horst Buchholz Gina Lollobrigida José Ferrer Francisco Rabal Louis Jourdan Fernando Rey
Cinematography	Edmond Richard
Edited by	Margarita de Ochoa
Music by	Jean Ledrut Ángel Arteaga Les Baxter(US version)
Release date	1967(1967)
Running time	111 minutes
Countries	Spain France Italy
Language	English

Cervantesis a highly fictionalized 1967 Franco-Spanish-Italianinternational co-productionfilm biography depicting the early life ofMiguel de Cervantes(1547–1616). Based on the 1937 novelA Man Called CervantesbyBruno Frank,it was the first screen biography of the author. Directed byVincent Shermanand filmed in color, it starsHorst Buchholzas Cervantes,Gina Lollobrigidaas a prostitute with whom he becomes involved,José Ferreras Hassan Bey, the Turk who held Cervantes in captivity,Louis Jourdanas CardinalGiulio Acquaviva,andFernando Reyas KingPhilip II.Italian actor Tiziano Cortini, who usually used the name "Lewis Jordan," appeared under his own name to avoid confusion with Louis Jourdan.Enrique Alarcónhandled theproduction design.

Plot

During the 16th century, we follow the adventures and romances of the young and passionate Miguel de Cervantes, who would later become the author ofDon Quixote.From his clashes with Cardinal Giulio Acquaviva andOttomanHassan Bey, to his alliance withPope Pius IV,his tumultuous love affair with the beautiful Roman courtesan Giulia Toffoli, his involvement in battles alongside Philip II of Spain against theMoors,and his bravery in thenaval battle of Lepantowhere he lost the use of his left arm, to his capture by pirates alongside his brother Rodrigo and their imprisonment inAlgiersby Hassan Bey.

Miguel gains a significant reputation for his military exploits, and while in captivity, he meets Nessa, a young girl who inspires the character ofDulcinea del Toboso.Hassan Bey seeks to profit from the release of the brothers by demanding ransom from their family and the King of Spain. During negotiations, Hassan Bey enslaves the brothers, but Miguel incites a rebellion, leading to his torture and death sentence. Fortunately, the ransom is paid before his execution, and Hassan Bey releases the Cervantes brothers, allowing them to return home.

Cast

• Horst BuchholzasMiguel de Cervantes
• Gina Lollobrigidaas Giulia
• José Ferreras Hassan Bey
• Louis Jourdanas Cardinal Acquaviva
• Francisco Rabalas Rodrigo Cervantes
• Antonio Casasas Favio
• Soledad Mirandaas Nessa
• Ángel del Pozoas Don Juan de Austria
• Ricardo Palaciosas Sancho
• Maurice de Canonge
• Tiziano Cortini
• José Nietoas Minister ofPhilip II of Spain
• Andrés Mejuto as Cervantes' Father

Production

Filming began in 1966, and the movie was released in several countries between 1967 and 1969.

Reception

Released in the U.S. as aB-movie,and retitledYoung Rebel,the film went unnoticed at the box office and did not do well critically.

TheRadio TimesGuide to Films'review ofCervantesgave the film two stars out of five. It described the film as a "dismal European co-production, which doesn't seem to bear much relation to the life of the famous Spanish writer."

External links

• CervantesatIMDb