El Ministerio del Tiempo

Whilst the concept behind this Spanish series has been done before I can not think of a single instance where its been done with such polish.

Ministry of Time takes a well worn idea and infuses it with a sophistication and at times romantic/nostalgic elegance that makes this series instantly addictive.

It works so well because it renders real characters, with human imperfections and asks the question of how these people would cope and react to different situations that are, quite literally out of their time.

The other reason it works is the stories it weaves are intelligently rendered. It asks questions and presents scenarios, that are at once familiar and unfamiliar. Its time travel tales with maturity. On the subject of which this is I would think 16+ fare, definitely not one for the kids.

Suffice to say if you love sci fi this is an absolute "must watch". 8/10 from me.

Found this whilst browsing Netflix on a boring afternoon. Three 70 minute 'binge' watching later and I was totally hooked. It is subtitled into English but that is really no problem. This is a time travel Ministry located in Madrid - every country has secrets - Spain's is time travel and run by civil servants not the military which makes a change. Imagine a secret branch of the Spanish civil service spread backwards through time - sorting out temporal irregularities whilst complaining about budget cuts. You need a composite drawing of a suspect - no problem - the ministry's artist is Velasquez who is obsessed with Picasso. It is has moments of laugh out load humour and beautiful examples of culture shock but balanced with very dark and challenging ideas all set within strong stories. It has a very 'European' style which feels very different to the American programmes we get swamped with in the UK. There are no 'mini dramatic moments' where you know the advert break would be or the 'meaningful looks to camera' and definately no 'syrupy endings'. I find myself rushing to Wikipedia after an episode to get the background of Spanish history. Enter our heroes - a new 'crash team' - consisting of Spain's first female university student and team leader, As the Under Secretary in charge says 'In our time she could have been anything - make her team leader', a knight from the 16th century ('Put him in a room with a modern marine armed only with a knife and the marine wouldn't stand a chance') and a present day paramedic. These are really strong and complex characters each with their own issues. The acting is really good and the writers are happy to have fun - 'Plan? We are Spanish, we improvise!' If you haven't found this series yet I urge you to do so. Three seasons so far, so fear not - it won't be cancelled if you like me get hooked.

Enjoyable Sci-Fi/Adventure series developed with emotion , suspense , thrills and noisy action . This is an imaginative , glamorous , strange fantasy based on the wonderful adventures by a group of heroes against ominous enemies who want to modify historical facts . It is a familiar but satisfying and agreeable Sci-Fi yarn . This a fun series starred by a group of time agents at charge of avoiding nasty people to change world history . Long time ago , during Catholic kingdom (XV century) , kings Isabel and Fernando , was discovered some weird doors , they are enough to go other epochs and take them all back . ¨Time Ministry chief¨ (Jaime Blanch) along with his underlings (Juan Gea , Calletana Guillen Cuervo) look for intelligent as well brave applicants throughout time , the candidates are the followings : Julián Martínez (Rodolfo Sancho) , a SAMUR paramedical worker affected for recent death his wife , Amelia Folch (Aura Garrido) , she is a XIX Century valiant and feminist woman and Alonso De Entrerríos (Nacho Fresneda) , a XVI Century captain Alatristre-lookalike . All of them wind up throwing into their past and future world , but they have to stay alive . The protagonist group will have to confront deal of dangers and adventures and will fight heinous characters such as Lola Mendieta (Natalia Millán) , Napoleon's spies and even Himmler ; ending for themselves against marauding spies who attempt to change history . The group must survive in ancient centuries long enough to resolve the missions assigned by the ¨Ministerio Del Tiempo¨ . Our starring friends even involving into love intrigues , as Amelia meets Lope De Vega and , foiling history , they fall in love . Can our loyal agents survive twisted plots , violent battles in world history and make it back to the 21st century alive ? .

Imaginative as well as lush fantasy about some fantastic doors in which our heroes one time enter , they take on several adventures and dangers . This splendid series blends action , historical events , suspense , battles , intrigue and results to be a lot amusing . This is a far-fetching but acceptable story about intrepid agents traveling backward in time to just to discover weird incidents and save the world and they will fight all kinds of risks to get their purports . From start to finish fantasy , action , duels and delightful adventures are interminable . The protagonist group will have to confront deal of dangers and to run the risks of other times . There are great budget , just amusement enough to cover production gaps and some flaws . As an important group of re-enactors and extras were used for soldiers in battle sequences and recreations of historical moments . Fine special effects mostly made by CGI and liking performances by the leads manage to keep this one afloat .

The picture is partially based on historical events such as ¨the defeat of Armada invincible (1588)¨ and with appearance of several famous roles . As in first episode , our starring go back to Spanish Independence War , they have to avoid Napoleon's spies to kill a known Guerrillero : Martin Diaz El Empecinado ; in second episode , our beloved protagonists try to impede Lope De Vega Y Carpio well played by Victor Clavijo aboard a galleon with a fateful destination . There also appears Velazquez (Julian Villagrán) , Salvador Dalí (Enrique Alcides) , El Empecinado (Keuchkerian) and Isabella the Catholic , here Michelle Jenner reprised her role of from the series Isabel (2011) , the cameo was recorded on the same stage sets as Isabel (2011) before they were dismantled , Rodolfo Sancho played Ferdinand The Catholic on the same series . And even Himmler (David Luque) attempting to Francisco Franco to prevent the meeting in Hendaya in which accorded Spanish neutrality in WWII . Pablo Olivares and Javier Olivares were the excellent creators of 8 episodes from this original series . Being realized in memoriam of Pablo Olivares who recently and unfortunately passed away . The chapters were well directed by Abigail Schaaff , Marc Vigil and Jorge Dorado

I have developed a mild obsession with Spanish drama over the last six months and whilst I've enjoyed Grand Hotel and Velvet, the Ministry of Time is something very special. Cleverly written, beautifully acted it has so much depth to it, it has taught me about Spanish history but still managed to retain warmth and heart and not be just give facts. It has made me laugh and genuinely weep, it makes you consider so many things in life - would you want to know your fate and how you die? I can't recommend it highly enough.

I can't say enough about this show. There are so many little things that are so good about it A lot of subtle humor that one has to watch out for but it helps if one is Spanish I think to catch it all. Being American I missed out on Spanish history and this show brings some of the important Spanish history to life. Beautifully done with gorgeous scenery and sets. Photography is outstanding with beautiful lighting. Even the dyes used for the 15th century clothing fabric seems right to me. There are no gaudy reds, greens or blues in the 15th century clothes as one might see in American films.. All of the costumes must have been dyed with herbal dyes. The episode about Napoleon and the Mother Superior was so well done; so very warm and nice and funny too. Casting was perfect. Wherever did thy find the guy to play Napoleon? Perfect! I can't say enough about Nacho as Alonzo. We need more men like Alonzo in the world today. Fierce, sensitive, principled, religious; Great job Nacho!. It is interesting to see the way the English and Americans are seen by the Spanish. It makes one think! There is a metaphysical or spiritual aspect to the show too. It is interesting to think about whether one could or does transcend time at some point. This is an outstanding series. Give it a chance, even if you don't know Spanish and don't like sub-titles. It is a great way to learn Spanish, especially if you have been trying to learn it on you own for a while.