Carlos Martinez Escalona
It's pretty difficult to describe what people do in other parts of the world when you have no idea what that part of the world is or how their people are. Lots of criticism came to this fantastic series because it was not like the American ones people are used to.RTVE is the largest and publicly owned radio and TV conglomerate of Spain. And, for many years, the only option. The only one with money to make a series. But they never had anything close to Aguila Roja. This one goes over the top and more.A very handsome, educated and able man is the avenger of the people in a time of extreme poverty, overwhelming power in the hands of kings and the church and little to no education. That's the setting for this "Siglo de Oro" series. Now in its 9th year, it obviously has many flaws and sometimes even goes backward. But, all in all, it's a very enjoyable thing to watch with tons of period props, dresses, historical references, love affairs and the omnipresent doom of the powers to be lingering in the air the people of Madrid had to breath. The fights are the centerpiece of almost all episodes and they're done beautifully with weapons of the age.It will even take you through many of the torture machines of the time and their crooked uses.Enjoyable!
ma-cortes
Enjoyable and pleasant adventure/swashbuckling series developed with emotion , suspense , drama , comedy , thrills and noisy action . It is set in the 17th century revolving around a masked hero fighting against the corrupt and wrong . A man named , "The Red Eagle", a masked rider is the hero among unlucky people , a man who fights for justice , who meets beautiful women , helping unfortunates and that's why the poor townsfolk looking for the aid of The Red Eagle . A new spin on Zorro but the production aesthetic has much in common with the likes of modern efforts like Spartacus . The Red Eagle takes place during the 1760's-1810's , where Portugal , France and England are all trying to take over Spain . This is an imaginative , glamorous , fun fantasy based on the wonderful adventures carried out by a bunch of heroes , such as Gonzalo De Montalvo (David Janer) , his son Alonso de Montalvo (Guillermo Campra) , the rogue servant Sátur (Javier Gutiérrez) against ominous enemies , such as El Comisario (Francis Lorenzo) and Cardinal Mendoza (Jose Angel Egido) . This Spanish historical action-adventure Kingdom of Blood (a.k.a. Águila Roja) is a familiar but satisfying and agreeable yarn , the most popular Spanish television series to have aired in recent years , and tells the violent and heroic tale of the enigmatic swordsman known only as 'Red Eagle' . Set long time ago , during Felipe IV (Xavier Elorriaga) kingdom and starred by a group of likable , attractive characters headed by Gonzalo De Montalvo . When is murdered his wife (Barbara Lennie) , angered and grieved by the sad killing , the school teacher Gonzalo seeks vengeance and to discover culprits . By a random accident , The Red Eagle decides to pull off great heroic deeds , using his Ninja skills learnt in the Japan country . As Gonzalo dons a black outfit and becomes the Red Eagle , the legendary masked , hero of oppressed . Red Eagle riding in the hoof-prints , relishes his secret identity with cape and blade and helps the good people who are mistreated , thwarting the ambitious plans of the meanie , nasty Comisario (Francis Lorenzo) , subsequently married to Cardinal's pupil , Irene (Elisa Mouliaá) . It happens several adventures , complex as well as embarrassing plots , multiple side-threads woven into the tales , and lots of twists and turns . During all this , there is a summit going on between Spain, Portugal, France and England, during which something disastrous happens and it affects the whole city . As following a failed assassination attempt in which his only son is blinded, 'Red Eagle' seeks to avenge his child by taking up arms against the corrupt Cardinal Mendoza , the man responsible for the attack . The Cardinal, bolstered by the powers of England , Portugal and France, is plotting to overthrow the King and bring the country to its knees . As the protagonist group will have to confront deal of dangers and adventures and will fight heinous roles . Our starring friends even involving into love intrigues , as Gonzalo de Montalvo meets his sister-in-law , Margarita (Inma Cuesta left the show at the end of season 8, but making clear that she would return to play) and they fall in love and faced off the jealous as well as mean Marquesa Lucrecia (Miryam Gallego , Lucrecia was temporally written of the show due to Miryam's pregnancy) and her proud child Nuño (Patrick Criado) . Can our loyal and sympathetic protagonists survive twisted plots , conspiracy , betrayals , violent battles in the historical 17th century ?.Imaginative as well as lush adventure/action/swashbuckler/costumer in which our hero , Aguila Roja , takes on several breathtaking adventures and dark dangers . This splendid series blends action , historical events , suspense , fights , intrigue and results to be a lot amusing . This is a far-fetching but acceptable story about an intrepid teacher/swordsman helped by a roguish squire , Sancho Panza-alike , just to discover weird incidents and save his family ; and both of them will fight all kinds of risks to get their purports . From start to finish sword-play , romance , fantasy , action , duels and delightful adventures are interminable . All the main cast and support cast turn in a so-so to magnificent acting . There are great budget , just amusement enough to cover production gaps and some flaws . As important teams of re-enactors and extras were used for soldiers in battle sequences , expert stunts for the impressive bounds and leaps , as well as groundbreaking recreations of ancient moments . Fine special effects mostly made by CGI and liking performances by the leads manage to keep this one afloat .Compellingly written and produced by Daniel Ecija and well financed by Globo Media , this Spain's top production company has created 14,000 hours of TV programming on both the scripted and unscripted sides and its formats or shows air in more than 145 countries . In Spain , the company produces top series including The Boarding School (El Internado) and The Boat (El Barco) , which are also being distributed in other territories . On the film side, its titles include A Night In Old México by Emilio Aragón starring Robert Duvall . Furthermore , Aguila Roja is coming to the big screen after various successful years of crime fighting on Spanish TV . As this hit Spanish Superhero show gets adapted to Big Screen in ¨Águila Roja , La Película¨ (2011) by José Ramón Ayerra , it stars most actors from the stupendous series , such as : David Janer Javier Gutiérrez , Roberto Álamo , Pepa Aniorte , Santiago Molero , Guillermo Campra , Patrick Criado , Antonio Molero , Martina Klein , Mariano Peña , Stany Coppet and many others .
islandsharp
I recognise the effort of putting all of this together in a country like Spain, where budgets are far more limited than in the US or UK, for example. This said, there's little more that would attract me to spend time in front of my tely. Dialogs, attitudes (male & female, but specially this last one), and of course details in weaponry, costumes and set in general, are in a clashing anachronism with what they intend to represent. The Spanish language used here corresponds more with 21st century urban slang than something remotely close to the wonderfully rich "Siglo de Oro"-Golden century-; same things could be said to the characters, where, except for their garments, one can find dynamic 2010 women, and very open-minded 16th Century Spanish men.Unfortunately, Hispania - A brand new historic series, taking place at the time of the Roman Empire-, follows the same trail.
