Diego Corrientes is a nice 1959 Spanish historical adventure film directed by Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi and starring José Suarez, Marisa de Leza and Eulália del Pino . It portrays the life of the eighteenth century highwaymen Diego Corrientes Mateos . It is a colorful adventure movie about Andalucian bandits , with plenty of thrills , action and spectacular battles . It packs gorgeous , exuberant landscapes , charming cinematography , sensitive soundtrack and adequate costumes ; all meld together under Antonio Isasi's enjoyable direction . It is set during the 19th century , Andalucia where had been proliferating ruthless bandits , who alone or in bands , many of them were heroes in Guerra De La Independencia against the French ,engulfing the region with merciless assaults and ominous murders , being pursued , ambushed and condemned , or , eventually pardoned for all the bandits who not return to banditry . For ironies of history , many bandits were good benefactors of the humble and unfortunate people , giving rise to the glamorous as well as romantic legends of the generous Andalucian Bandidos . In fact, almost all of them were selfish and ambitious men , who could not be expected no sense humanitarian . These Bandoleros seem to have a whole praise by singing "Coplas of blind" sung in couplets and romances of blind singers which dedicated to bandits as "Lucero" , ¨Luis Candelas¨ , ¨Cura Merino¨ ,¨El Tempranillo¨or ¨Pasos Largos¨ . Diego Corrientes Mateos (August 20, 1757 - 1781) was a Spanish bandit famous for his generosity to the poor. He was born in Utrera, Seville on August 20, 1757 and died by hanging in Seville in 1781. In 1780, Charles III of Spain offered 100 gold pieces to anyone who captured Corrientes Mateos dead or alive . The King attempted to defeat these bandits or Bandoleros by large garrisons called ¨Migueletes¨ . Corrientes Mateos fled to Portugal but was captured by the governor of Seville and a band of Portuguese under Captain Arias. After being brought back to Seville , he was tried and sentenced to death by hanging. After his death, his body was cut into pieces and sent to the different provinces where he had been active. His head stayed in Seville and was buried in the Church of San Roque , where it was found in the 20th Century during restoration work. A metal hook was found in the cranium. As "Diego Corrientes", whose name runs throughout the mountains and villages , being relentlessly frightened and hated by townsfolk . At the end of the eighteenth century, the young Diego Corrientes (José Suarez) quarrels with the heinous count of Albanes (Milo Quesada) , who, after arresting Diego , orders him to be spanked . Accused of killing and in love with the count's fianceé (Marisa De Leza) , he gets away to the mountains and forms a band . Diego and his gang were cruel and savage outlaws that infested the mountain area . Fleeing from justice , takes refuge in steeped and mountainous locations and joins forces with a band (Luis Induni , Jose Marco, Colomer) and he becomes the chief of the group of bandits . After a period of hard learning to lead the bunch , he uses all kind of shrewdness in order to vanquish the enemy , the ruthless count od Albanes and the powerful Corregidor (Rafael Bardem). As soon as José Maria turns into band leader , the gang carries out attacks , blackmails and killings , including spectacular fights , but then the tyrannical count seeks vendetta .
This ¨Tortilla¨ adventure is filled with thrills , intrigue , chases , go riding and breathtaking confrontations with precious rousing original music by Xavier Montsalvatge and luminous cinematography by Salvador Torres . This traditional ¨Bandido¨ movie made in Andaluzi-Western style . Decent screenplay dealing with ambition , revenge and redemption that turn out to be the main axis of the plot . Although the story has been told before , appropriate filmmaking and over-the-top acting win out , as it results in a very fine adventure flick . It is a combination of intense drama and full of villainy , betrayal , romance , heroism and redemption . Fine acting by José Suarez as a bandit who joins a dangerous band to rob and destroy enemy troops . Director Isasi took advantage of the marvelous exteriors from filming locations such as : Carmona, Sevilla, Guadix, Granada, Andújar, Jaén, Sierra Morena, Andalucia , Las Gorgas, Huesca, Aragon , Barcelona, Catalonia, and studios Orphea, Barcelona, Spain, and shooting a hastily assembled attractive picture . In the movie appears usual support actors of the fifties and sixties , such as: Milo Quesasa , Rafael Bardem José Marco , Luis Induni , Margarita Lozano , among others.
This is a good-natured colorful romp with glamorous cinematography shot in natural scenarios , who gives us an accurate ambiance of the times is developed , though a perfect remastering being necessary because of the copy is slightly washed-out . The director Antonio Isasi was defending his name and career , but also his money in more ways than one , as he was one of the producers investing in the project . Antonio Isasi Isasmendi was a good professional , a craftsman who directed several films in diverse genres , as adventures and action , especially , such as : The dog 1979 , 1968 Las Vegas , 500 millions , 1963 The mask of Scaramouche , Summertime Killer , That Man in Istanbul . This Diego Corrientes results to be a surprisingly solid little film , including some action scenes very skillfully staged. This is a movie that's both entertaining and enlightening . Certainly worth watching if you're in the mood for something other than typical adventure fare .¨Diego Corrientes¨ turns to be a good and attractive film . In my opinion this is one of the best films to come out of Antonio Isasi in the decade of the 50s and 60s . Rating : Above average for its worthwhile mingle of drama , action and adventure .
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