El Cautivo, the new film by Alejandro Amenábar that describes a part of the life of the writer Miguel Cervantes, debuts today on screens all over Spain.
The actor Julio Peña gives life to the writer and father of the Castilian language, together with a cast of actors who constitute perhaps the best of the film, with some great Miguel Rellán and Fernando Tejero.
The captive tells how in 1575, the young soldier Miguel de Cervantes is captured on the high seas by Arab privateers and taken to Algiers as a hostage. Knowing that a cruel death awaits him there if his family does not pay the ransom soon, Miguel will find refuge in his passion for storytelling. His fascinating stories bring hope back to his fellow prisoners and eventually catch the attention of Hasan, the mysterious and feared Pasha of Algiers, with whom he begins to develop a strange affinity. As conflicts grow among his companions, Miguel, driven by his unwavering optimism, will begin to devise a risky escape plan.
Written with Alejandro Hernández, the Spanish-Chilean director triumphs once again in terms of the technical aspects of this new film. The direction, staging, setting and production are truly optimal, but once again… the film does not reach the heart, despite a couple of shots referring to El Quijote that do thrill the viewer.
