Alatriste is a Spanish historical drama film released in 2006, directed by Agustín Díaz Yanes, and based on the novel series of the same name by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. The movie stars Viggo Mortensen as Diego Alatriste, Eduard Fernández as Francisco de Quevedo, Elena Anaya as Angélica de Alquézar, Unax Ugalde as Íñigo Balboa, and Blanca Portillo as María de Castro.
The movie is set in the year 1622, during the reign of Philip IV, at a time when Spain was at war with the Dutch Republic over control of the Flandes region. Diego Alatriste is a skilled and seasoned soldier who fights for his king and country, but he also has a strong sense of honor and loyalty to his comrades in arms. When his best friend Balboa is gravely wounded and dying on the battlefield, he asks Diego to take care of his young son, Íñigo, and teach him how to be a soldier.
Diego fulfills his promise to his dying friend and takes Íñigo under his wing, training him in the art of swordfighting and warfare. As Íñigo becomes more proficient as a soldier, he also becomes more aware of the complex political and social issues at play in the war, and begins to question the motives and actions of those in power. Along the way, Diego and Íñigo become involved in various adventures and intrigues, including a plot to assassinate the king, a forbidden romance between Angélica and Íñigo, and a fateful encounter with the infamous writer Francisco de Quevedo.
The movie features impressive battle scenes and beautifully crafted costumes that transport viewers back to the 17th-century Spain. Yet, what makes Alatriste a compelling watch is its portrayal of complex, flawed characters caught up in a tumultuous time in Spanish history. The film is not just a rollicking adventure story or a historical epic but also a poignant meditation on friendship, loyalty, and honor.