The Black Book of Father Dinis

The plot is slow to thicken, but once it does, it takes on the constituency of a well-simmered minestrone.

Seen as a single piece, it feels slow and unwieldy. Fans of the source material are likely to enjoy it, however.

Grand, romantic and melodramatic historical fiction.

Its earnest storytelling, interesting characters, and attention to detail overcome the dated and overemotional material and make for an entertaining drama.

Thus, [the film's] dramatization of feelings befitting a melodrama and the characteristic action of a soap opera join forces to explain the depths of a revolt, perfectly framed in the visual. [Full review in Spanish]

Without a doubt, the most provacative proposal that the official section of the festival has offered up until now. [Full review in Spanish]

[It] certainly offers enough pleasures for those looking to luxuriate in period trappings... [but] no single element of either form or content stands out sufficiently or forges the sort of link to now that might confer a greater urgency on the whole.