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I've been waiting, not so patiently, for Alatriste, the Spanish language historical epic starring Viggo Mortensen with a crazy/awesome moustache, to get a North American release. I saw it at the film fest two years ago. Twice! With Viggo in attendance! And did I mention I got to meet him! Viggo's attendance aside, since I'm a sucker for stories of noble swordsmen in difficult times, I loved it. So I really, really wanted a copy of my very own.

This fall I finally faced the fact that the film'll probably never see the light of day over here. So I went poking around on Amazon and eBay and found someone selling a region 2 disk from Hong Kong for not very much at all. And today I got a package with a Shanghai return address and my lovely, lovely copy of Alatriste. I stuck it in the player and checked out a few of my favourite scenes, and it's as awesome as I remember, not to mention a gorgeous transfer.

So to celebrate...

...a little Alatriste sword porn.

The hat! The moustache! The world weary and knowing look in his eye! Not to mention the sword hilt sitting within easy reach.

I love the piratical look in this one, and the sword casually slung over his shoulder.

This shot is from the very last battle in the film, where Alatriste and his men are bloodied but unbowed. It both is and isn't a hopeful ending and for that I love it.

I can't help it; I adore seeing a man come on guard with a sword. Particularly if his form is good. And trust me on this, Viggo's form is exquisite. (Okay, that form is exquisite too. *g*)

One more en garde pose, and I love this one even more. I think it's the slight arch to his back. It's so deliciously suggestive.

Okay, there's no sword in this one, but I think it's a stunning picture of Viggo even without one. I like men with a few miles on them, men who've aged in interesting ways, and Viggo is doing that in spades.