Finding Altamira

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Finding Altamira

Released Sep 16, 2016

1h 33m

History

Drama

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65%

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17 Reviews

46%

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100+ Ratings

In 1879, a Spanish archaeologist (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter (Allegra Allen) cause worldwide controversy when they discover cave paintings that are 10,000 years old.

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Brad Wheeler

Globe and Mail

Finding Altamira is let down by ordinary acting, way too many scholarly adages and a perplexing level of inaction.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 23, 2016

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Bruce DeMara

Toronto Star

Director Hugh Hudson maintains a steady hand throughout in this low-key but powerful rumination on faith and reason.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 22, 2016

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Joe Leydon

Variety

Antonio Banderas' admirable performance fails to energize Hugh Hudson's handsome but ponderous period drama.

Sep 17, 2016

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feels like the kind of movie your science teacher ran in class when they didn't feel like lecturing.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 1, 2021

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Andrew Parker

The Gate

A reasonably engaging tale of the ever present arguments that take place between science and belief.

Aug 28, 2018

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Chris Knight

National Post

Director Hugh Hudson shoots in lush settings and provides ample footage of the incredible paintings; this could make a nice double feature alongside Werner Herzog's documentary Cave of Forgotten Dreams.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 23, 2016

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dustin d

Finding Altamira is a good movie that looks great despite its small production. It tells the true story of amateur archaeologist's Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola's discovery of paleolithic cave paintings on his property and the ensuing controversy caused among both academics and the Church, who accused him of forgery and egotism, respectively, neither of whom could reconcile the discovery with their existing notions of humanity. I don't understand the critics' lukewarm reception of this movie, or audiences' apparent dislike. If I had to find strings to pull at, I could say the ideas presented--conflict between science and religion--aren't particularly original, and the dialogue is heavy-handed at times, but not enough so to detract much from an overall good movie. I found the special effects involving paintings coming to life to be excellent and quite believable, something unexpected from a small production. Maybe the movie isn't for general audiences, but for history buffs or anthropology majors (like myself), it will be a rewarding watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

A great and wonderful surprise !

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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farah r

The costumes and set designs were fantastic despite the obvious budget limitations. The acting far fairy good especially Banderas but unfortunately the good doesn't outweight the bad s Finding Altamira is terribly boring.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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serge e

I discovered this film by mere coincidence, never even knowing of its existence. And I truly loved it: the story, Banderas' performance, the characters, everything!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

two starts only because of the custome and sets. Terrible acts and poor story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

I very much enjoyed this slice of Spanish history. Well made and portrayed with sensibilities for the times.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Hugh Hudson

Director

Antonio Banderas

Marcelino

Golshifteh Farahani

Conchita

Allegra Allen

María Sautuola

Pierre Niney

Paul Ratier

Clément Sibony

Émile Cartailhac

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Synopsis

In 1879, a Spanish archaeologist (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter (Allegra Allen) cause worldwide controversy when they discover cave paintings that are 10,000 years old.

Director: Hugh Hudson
Screenwriter: Olivia Hetreed, José Luis López Linares
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co: Morena Films S.L.
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2016
Runtime: 1h 33m

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