Producer: Lamar Trotti. The producers wish to acknowledge the advice and co-operation of the Mexican Government and the National Museum, Mexico. All scenes of the Cortez Expedition were photographed in Mexico, wherever possible on the actual locations.Copyright Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp. 25 December 1947. U.S. release: 26 November 1947. New York release at the Rivoli: 25 December 1947. U.K. release: 26 September 1949. Australian release: 7 October 1948. U.S. release length: 12,707 feet. 141 minutes. Australian release length: 13,091 feet. 145½ minutes.SYNOPSIS: Effete young caballero escapes the Spanish Inquisition by joining up with Cortez and the conquest of Mexico.COMMENT: Dull. Bosley Crowther's review in "The New York Times" is pretty accurate. He doesn't go far enough in underrating Tyrone Power's pallid and insipid performance, yet falls short in valuing the magnificent color photography and impressive locations which alone make the film worth seeing.The rest of the players take their cue from Mr Power in listlessness, ineffectuality, amateurishness and apathy. Only George Zucco breaks the mold in his two brief scenes of resonant villainy. In fact, some of the players are even worse than Ty. Lee J. Cobb is absolutely ridiculous, and Alan Mowbray atrociously miscast. Jean Peters, in her film debut, gives absolutely no indications of either talent or personality, and is not even attractively photographed. Cesar Romero's genial Cortez is an odd characterization to say the least, while John Sutton's stiff, callow villain is no match for the likes of a Robert Douglas, a Claude Rains or a Basil Rathbone.But the film's greatest problem is actually its script: Wordy and garrulous in dialogue, superficially off-hand in background, casual in pace, one-dimensional and dull in characterization, repetitious and incredible in melodramatic plot.The worst sin of all is that the story lacks a climax. Not only is the villain disposed of quickly and undramatically by a minor player, but the battle we have been awaiting and anticipating for all of 140 minutes does not occur. The film ends as our heroes are marching off!Henry King's direction is equally tired and lifeless. But fortunately, Newman's score is rousing enough. And true, there is a bit of excitement and loads of production values in sets, costumes and extras milling around, but these full-blooded scenes are allowed to flash by too briefly in order to allow the film to linger on long, tedious scenes of boring verbosity or attenuated, unbelievable "romance".I have not read the book, but thought surely the novel was more exciting than this. I am glad to have Mr Crowther's verdict that it is. Rarely has such breathtaking Technicolor photography enhanced such an empty script!

The movie starts out with Pedro De Vargas getting into a conflict with the Spanish Inquisition. Very interesting start really. And to escape he joins conquest of the new world. I had no problem so far and it was interesting.But what was fast showed was that Pedro (Tyrone) did actually not really have a problem with the inquisition. Only if it was his own family that was the target. There was no problem for him treating the Indians the same way.The movie was more a love story where Jean Peters did the best effort in the movie and was the only really likable person. Unfortunately the movie also started to drag or show no sense of direction.In the end the movie just fizzles out without any grand battle or true conquest or even tying the Inquisition story or conquest story together.I would not recommend this movie as none of the aspects in the movie besides the Romance is really followed through.

Spain in the spring of 1518 finds dashing nobleman Tyrone Power (as Pedro de Vargas) helping an acquaintance on horseback find a runaway servant. Locating the man, Mr. Power discovers he is slave friend Jay Silverheels (as Coatl), who shows his back has red welts from being whipped. Moreover, his wicked master John Sutton (as Diego de Silva) is in charge of the Spanish Inquisition. Power becomes "persona non grata" with Mr. Sutton, to put it mildly. What happens to Power's little sister is shocking for a mainstream film seen by general audiences, even though the deed occurs off-screen...Power's allies include pretty Jean Peters (as Catana Perez), enterprising Lee J. Cobb (as Juan Garcia) and colonizing Cesar Romero (as Hernan Cortes). The action eventually moves to Mexico. It's nice to see stereotyped thug Marc Lawrence (as Corio) doing a good deed. The film is lavishly presented in Technicolor by director Henry King with his cinematographers Charles G. Clarke and Arthur E. Arling. Alfred Newman's terrific musical score was nominated for an "Oscar" and Ms. Peters' busty debut received a "Newcomer" nomination in the annual "Film Daily" poll. However, the story is wearisome.****** Captain from Castile (12/25/47) Henry King ~ Tyrone Power, Jean Peters, Cesar Romero, Lee J. Cobb

I don't have all that much to add to what you've read here in the comments already, but for what it's worth here are a few more impressions: *Tyrone Power was quite good. Fine fine actor and believable in the swashbuckler role.*Lee J. Cobb as a good guy(!) in tights(!!)--one of the best parts in the movie. Very good-if unexpected.*Jean Peter-very young and pretty eye candy.*Cesar Romero as Cortez, not shown as being anything but what he was-a pirate, a soldier and a greedy one at that. The Joker in one of his best roles.*I loved the score, scenery and Tonto as the escaped slave Coatl, too. All good.*Snidely Whiplash Da Silva and the Padre are quite well acted, too. Mowbray as the astrology-based hump-back was unique, shall we say.Only reall problem I had is that they take Forever to get to the actual point of the mission-the attack on Montezuma himself. The movie drags in the second half and spends too much time on the intrigue.But overall, it's well worth seeing, check it out.*** outta ****