Cuore selvaggio

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.

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.

Born out of wedlock, society considers Juan a bastard. He has no social standing. Juan has no last name and people call him Juan del Diablo (from the Devil). Juan's father and mother were married to different people. The husband of Juan's mother raises him, but hates and mistreats the boy. Juan's upbringing and lifestyle portray him as a man with a 'savage heart.' He has no official last name, no prospects, and no real friends except for one man - the kind and wise Don Noel Mansera. This older man teaches Juan about loyalty, morals and true friendship.

Through a misunderstanding, Juan's stepbrother, a legitimate heir and aristocrat, swears to destroy him. Juan becomes involved with two sisters, Aimee and Monica. Both women have a lasting effect on him; one betrays him and the other shows him true love - she is able to captivate and soften his savage heart.

Filled with a wonderful story and memorable dialogue, CORAZÓN SALVAJE (Savage Heart) has become a classic novela with many fans.

Simple as that!

Corazon Salvaje has been a phenomenon worldwide ever since its release in 1993! Personally, after watching it, I gave up watching any other soap opera -the comparison hurt too much.

And it's great not just because of the technical achievements that the series brings with it (although for a Latin production, it has marked a plus), but I would rather say it's the quality of the acting that impresses the most and the coherence of the story. No useless talk, no useless crying as often happens in the Spanish soap operas, no overacting. The soap opera genre has a set of particular situations it works with (like infidelities, pregnancy etc), but Maria Zarattini (the adapter of the Corazon Salvaje books by Caridad Bravo Adams) managed to create something original and truly surprising. In a personal note, she has used the dialogues in other productions she has worked later on, but that is a sign that she could not entirely escape Corazon Salvaje's magic.

All and each of the actors involved in the project simply gave their best. Eduardo Palomo (RIP) portrays Juan Del Diablo with so much charisma, dedication and talent that makes his character magic. This role transformed Eduardo Palomo into one of the hugest Latin Personalities and even today years after his death, he is still considered as one of the best actors. His co-stars Edith Gonzalez and Ana Colchero, besides being such incredibly beautiful women, make the demonstrations of being great actresses as well. They can be sensual, romantic, vulnerable, true women indeed in a fictional context! Although romance is the main subject, the soap opera speaks about other important things such as the position of women in the society and finding your true self.

Corazon Salvaje has impressed audiences in Italy (where has been broadcast over 20 times), Spain, United States, Venezuela, Romania to name just a few!

In conclusion I would like to say that if Corazon Salvaje had had the chance of being produced in English, I would be today THE SHOW! It's a MUST SEE!

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.