The film is based on a notorious novel by Pio Baroja allegedly dealing with a real biography about Zalacaín , an orphan of father , that once roamed virile thirst for adventure The Basque Country, Third Carlist War (1872-1876). The work narrates several of the adventures and misadventures of a Basque boy, Martín Zalacaín. On the tomb of Martin Zalacain de Ubía, three old women Catalina (Elena Espejo), Rosa Briones (Margarita Andrey) and Linda (Rosario León) tell Pio Baroja the story of Zalacain, who, even as a young boy, was already complicating his life with dangers and adventures. He was born in the imaginary village of Urbía or Urbide, and raised by an old relative, Tellagorri, a cynic who runs the Arkale tavern. His sister, Ignacia, or "Iñasi," (María Dolores Pradera) is courted by Carlos de Ohando (Carlos Muñoz) , his enemy and brother of Catalina de Ohando, whom Zalacaín loves. To prevent Carlos from deceiving his sister Ignacia, Martín arranges for her to marry a friend of his, Bautista Urbide (Humberto Madeira) , the village baker's assistant. The couple moves to Zaro, a Basque-French village, but Bautista later accompanies Martín Zalacaín on many of his adventures during the outbreak of the Third Carlist War.
The dramatic and troublesome story of Martín Zalacaín, a brave and freedom-loving young man born in Urbía, as well as the story of his three great loves. It is based on the novel of the same name by Pío Baroja, and the narrator is the author himself. Zalacaín the Adventurer is based on a novel by the Spanish writer Pío Baroja whose first edition was printed in 1908 and today it holds a place of honor in the library of Spanish classics. It belongs to the tetralogy "Basque Country," which also includes The House of Aitzgorri (1900), The Heir of Labraz (1903), and The Legend of Jaun de Alzate (1922). It has been included in the list of the 100 best Spanish-language novels of the 20th century.
The film extensively recounts the adventures of Zalacain, well-portrayed by Virgilio Teixeira, who aptly portrays the role of a young man deeply in love with Catalina, but whose difference in social class makes their relationship impossible. Disillusioned, he becomes a smuggler, participating in the liberal rebellion during the Carlist War, while his love, Catalina, has been confined to a convent by order of her brother, Don Carlos.
Portraying Zalacaín who shows huge nostalgia for his country , his lovely childhood and dreaming youthful , his adventures and misadventures as a soldier, relationships with his townfolks and his loves . Classic Spaniard movie about family relation, adventure , dark secrets, romances and the inevitable , multiple drama with final surprise. This interesting as well as intimate story is a passionate retelling and a touching melodrama and, above all, emerges a deep fascination for the adventure, love and Basque land.
The settings are decent though mostly made in ¨Carton-Piedra (stone)¨ and in studio . It contains appropriate cinematography in black and white by José F. Aguayo. Atmospheric and lively musical score by Jan Quintero. The film was shot with a considerable budget for the time, boasting abundant technical resources and evocative sets, and was one of the great super-productions of the early 1950s, a period when papier-mâché sets were commonplace.
The novel was adapted for film, during Baroja's lifetime, in 1928 by Francisco Camacho starring Pio Baraja himself, along with his brother Ricardo Baroja and Pedro Larrañaga; later on, again in 1955 by director Juan de Orduña. Pio Baroja novesl have been adapted on big screen in Las inquietudes de Shanti Andía(1947) by Arturo Ruiz del Castillo and The Search (La busqueda 1966) by Angelino Fons.
The motion picture was well produced by Cifesa that along with Suevia Films /Cesareo Gonzalez were the most known production companies during Francoist period , that often financed these false but breathtaking historical spectacles .Being professionally directed by Juan de Orduña, but with some corny and dated moments . Being filmed in usual style of the forties and in stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the historical issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . Juán de Orduña adapted to cinema famous novels such as : ¨Cañas Y Barro¨ , ¨El Frente De Los Suspiros¨ , ¨Nobleza Baturra¨ , ¨Lola Se Va a Los Huertos¨ , being especially known for his historical renditions such as : ¨Teresa De Jesús¨ , ¨La Leona De Castilla¨ , ¨Agustina De Aragón¨ and ¨Locura De Amor¨ . His most successful picture was ¨El Ultimo Cuple¨ with Sara Montiel . ¨Zalacaín El Aventurero¨ rating: 6/10.
