The atmosphere and quality of images and production values reminded me of the masterpiece by Raoul Ruiz, Mysteries of Lisbon. It's rare to see good literature transposed into a good movie, but this is one of them. You sense the author's collaboration in the screenplay in the terse, minimal dialog. The romantic mystery is well served by the classical beauty of the scenery, costumes, all the details of rooms, palaces, offices, street life. The attention to detail also reminds of certain "operatic" film works by Visconti. One mystery that remains unrevealed in the VHS version I have is the opera scene which is first shown as a live performance of La Traviata and then is heard again in the long final scene. It plays an important psychological role in the film, and is sung by an exceptional soprano voice. Can anyone tell me who the singer is, and what other information is given, but is unreadable on the VHS video version?

Since reading Arturo Perez-Reverte's book of the same name, I was really keen to see the movie. You can see great performances by great actors; Omero Antonutti delivers his lines with finesse and sobriety, not usually found in today's actors, but more by the likes of Fernando Rey or actors associated with theatre performance and classical dramas. The movie does reflect the political changes of the time, with places like the traditional "cafe politique" well in fashion then. The end of an era through the eyes of Don Jaime Astarloa is well depicted and is the prelude to anarchist actions and the changes in the technology of war. All in all, a great movie, great action, and a bit of historical nostalgia.

Nothing is more depressing than having a good story , and a couple of good actors and then fail miserably at attempting to make a good movie... It is indeed a pity to see that El Maestro de Esgrima (based on a story written by Spain's top-selling Pérez Reverte and with such actors as Omero Antonutti or Assumpta Serna) fails lamentably to raise any kind of interest. In spite of all the efforts of the talented Ms Serna, the reputed Antonutti and the versatile Almeida, the film is not even remotely interesting. The filming is classic in the worst sense of the word: it is totally unimaginative and absolutely boring. So is unfortunately the acting (with the exception of 3 mentioned before), so stuck up and cliché, you'd think you were sitting at an amateur play. Even the sets and costumes look fake. All that comes to your mind after a while is "Oh please"... Check what else is on on TV. At least it won't be that boring.

This is a very good movie, in terms of tasteful portrayal of personal violence, against a background of popular fury and political infighting - Prim's revolutionary, the Bourbon's nobles around Queen Isabel II of Spain, the Free-Masons... A woman fencer who wishes to learn the secret deadly thrust from the master who is writing a treaty on the fencing art is something out of ordinary, as is the beauty of the actress who plays the character, Assumpta Serna. She gives us a great performance, amidst two different men - one in his 50s, the other in his 30s - so most spectators will identify with her partners or, should we say, victims. The film's climax is a three minute long mixed sword duel - after which you'll feel bad, as the winner does. Even so, you will never forget this movie, that will stand in your memory as one of the best of screen history.