Corazón salvaje

When 1993 version of this classic tale was aired, it really helped me learn (and really WANT) to understand spoken Spanish. I'd taken "Spanish as a foreign language" classes, but all the grammar and boring exercises really didn't sink in much--until I started watching this captivating telenovela. Then something clicked, awakened by my interest and my brain understood these wonderful actors almost magically!

Both fans of CS and those wondering about world-wide appeal of this novela might also be intrigued by somewhat scholarly study of the story written in Spanish by an Anglo university professor.

Recently I've been trying to find some telenovela to watch that suits my current viewing mood--something NOT harshly modern or about teenage troubles (tho "Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso" eventually caught my interest--partly because of character of stammering "Jota", who reminds me of a young Eduardo Palomo with his comic talent and sensitive tenderness; I saw Palomo in 1980's telenovela "Picara Sonadora", a kind of modern-day family "screwball comedy" that could have been made back in 1930's). And Jota's "Julietta" is a *little* like Edith Gonzalez/Santa Monica, strong, smart, yet also sweet.)

Beautiful scenery (especially by the ocean), appealing characters viewers care about, leavening of good humor and wit, lovely costumes and authentic interiors, and some social consciousness were all elements I was trying to find for leisurely entertainment. Finally I just realized, why not watch CORAZON SALVAJE again!

Someday, I hope (am positive:-), this entire telenovela will become available in format originally aired on Mexican television (30 minute episodes ending in cliff-hangers), with not a second edited out, and all of the original, evocative, perfect soundtrack music included. Tons of fans around the world are willing to purchase the complete telenovela (perhaps with closed captions in other languages), like Korean "continuing dramas" are currently available from companies that broadcast them.

Another classic favorite of mine is LA MENTIRA starring Guy Ecker and Kate del Castillo (those who have seen that, will recall which elements it shares with CORAZON SALVAJE--not the least is that both were based on sadly out-of-print mid-20th century books by Caridad Bravo Adams).

A few recent novelas I got interested in watching more than a few episodes of are by a new "classic" writer who uses colors & shapes in a symbolic code, Colombian Julio Jimenez: "Viuda de Blanco", "Cuerpo del Deseo" and "Madre Luna". While those fall short of the perfection of 1993 CS, they also include memorable "families" of friends who help each other, especially the poor and downtrodden, yet rich in love.

I first saw this series when i was a 13-year-old and I got completely involved in it. In fact I watched many series from Latin America and also other countries , but NO other story has ever been like that. A wonderful plot and the characters are portrayed in a majestic way. You can't imagine anything more perfect than that. I watched it again a few months ago and it was like the very 1st time... the identical emotions I felt 11 years ago. I could watch some scenes over and over again..the passion and intensity of drama are so high...alongside wonderful sceneries and captivating soundtrack.if you haven't seen it, you don't know what you've lost...

This is the best telenovela ever made. Every episode is fantastic. Palomo is the sexiest leading man, not just in telenovelas, but in Hollywood also. Edith Gonzalez is beautiful and sympathetic. The costumes and scenery are stunning. Even the minor side plots are enjoyable and the side actors appealing. It is tragic to miss all the great details by watching this very brief (compared to the length of the novela) DVD. You can download the ENTIRE telenovela - every bit of every episode AND without commercials - for free on youTube.com. Seeing all the delicious details is so much better than paying for a brief peek with the DVD.

I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't watch this series the 1st time out. But as it won award after award, my curiosity was peaked. It was to my great delight that Univision decided to run it again, although it was a time slot that was inconvenient - they showed it while I was at school! But every day, I would quiz my aunt, and she would give all the juicy details.

As I've gotten older, I've watched other Spanish soap operas, and nothing even comes close to this. Its not just the great story, but the fact that these actors knew how to EMOTE. You felt for these characters, and years later, I still feel for them. Unfortunately, this also means that I can never see Edith Gonzalez in another soap, and see another character. She will forever be Monica, and Eduardo, Juan.

Brilliant story. Not having seen the earlier versions, I have no idea if anything was changed from them (maybe someone else can enlighten us on this?). Great acting and cinematography, too. How can we ever forget Don Noel, Sophia, Andres, Aimee, Monica, and -- especially -- Juan.

Any woman who saw this and didn't want to trade places with Edith Gonzales would have to be gay, dead, or insane. Eduardo Palomo was one very hot guy; he could make you feel a kiss he's giving to his leading lady. He was a brilliant example of bad-boy appeal on a character who is more honorable than anyone purporting to be superior. It's a pity we lost him so soon.

This was the first novela de epoca I ever saw, and I'm hooked for life. It's as romantic and beautiful as a Kathleen Woodiwiss novel, with a highly appropriate musical soundtrack by Jorge Avendano.

Anyone who loved this would also love other novelas de epocas: RAMONA (with Eduardo as a Native American), YO COMPRO ESA MUJER (with the unforgettable Eduardo Yanez), and AMOR GITANO (with the very sexy Mauricio Islas).

Edited 11 May 2005.