La cattedrale del mare

I'm normally bored by films of this genre but decided to give it a shot for lack of finding anything else. It turns out that this series is really well done. The story is interesting, well written, and the pacing advances the story pretty fast without stagnation. The acting is excellent across well developed characters.

This is a story of misogyny and anti semitism in 13th century Catalonia. It's the story of a male hero whose daring do's helps him reluctantly rise through the aristocratic ranks leaving loved lost in his wake. To fall in love with our hero is to be cursed with a broken heart and violated body This series leaves very little to the imagination when showing the darker side of mans ( and it always is male) humanity to man. The only woman to not suffer is the Virgin Mary, who 'helps' and eventually rescues Arnau with some predictability! It deserves its 18 certificate but if you can stand the bleakness and violence and forgive poor continuity as children grow to adulthood whilst no one else ages it is worth watching all 8 episodes.

I am one of the people that read the book when it first came out and really liked it then. Most of what I read are historical fiction books and most of the movies I watch are historical fiction movies or mini series. This is easily one of the best I have ever seen. The acting, the scenery, the recreation of the 14th century time period are flawless. Just be aware that the 14th century was not a great time to be alive and if you were a peasant, even worse. There are a lot of unpleasant scenes, but that was in keeping with the time period and the laws of that time. Watch it, if you love historical fiction.I also plan on rereading the book again.

Pablo Derqui as Joan, the main characters priest brother went from nice guy to foaming at the mouth mad man in an episode and a half, great actor - almost stole the show. I liked it that the Inquisition got its own in the end and of course, the wife. Been to Barcelona many times and it has a much richer history that it presents itself as in modern times. Good show. Some great characters and acting. I enjoyed it a lot.

I was worried that this was going to be a boring tv show. But my god was I wrong, the show has become another of my favourites. Eagerly waiting a second season from Netflix hopefully this year.