Engaging story of love, passion, betrayal, family values, and triumph amid adversity at an important segment of Spanish history. The story of Hugo Llor brings us to mid-14th century to early 15th century at a time of
pogroms, corsairs, regnal successions when the influence of nobles on the royal court was considerable and when Jews were better off than other residents of Barcelona causing resentment among them.
It's mainly the story of Hugo Llor and Bernat Estanyol, the heir of Arnau Estanyol, who is the chief character in "Cathedral of the Sea," the
prequel of this series by the same author, Ildefonso Falcones.
The avid student of European history will appreciate this story set against a nascent Spain when it's starting to flex its colonial muscle. He will be introduced to Spanish kings of those times like Peter of Castile and Alfonso.
This historical backdrop heightens the human drama as the viewer keenly watches the main
characters tell their stories as they are caught up in events of that period.
The main actors are convincing especially Yon Gonzales and David Solans as the adult and the young Hugo Llor, Rodolfo Sancho as the adult Bernat Estanyol, Mercedes Leon as Barsha and Aria Belmar as Merce.
As this is a period film, the film ensures that the
costumes and the settings are authentic. Quite
picturesque are views of the vineyards under a bright sun.
Beside being a historical film, this one drives home important life lessons. Watch it. It's binge-worthy.