A banished lover, a king, and an uncle walk into a 16th-century love triangle. Nobody leaves happy.
Spain, 16th century. The beautiful Dona Sol inspired a deep passion in Hernani, banished from the kingdom. Unable to live without her, he defies the ban and finds her in secret. Several rivals threaten the idyll. She is to marry her uncle, Don Ruy Gomez, and is also loved by the young King of Spain himself, Don Carlos.
Production
Sumptuous 16th-century sets that scream 'we spent the budget on candles.'
Acting
Geneviève Casile delivers doomed romantic heroine with devastating commitment.
Writing
Hugo's theatrical dialogue adapted with gloriously extra speeches.
Director
Raymond Rouleau
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hugo's 1830 play sparked the 'Battle of Hernani'—a literal riot between Classicists and Romantics at its premiere. This TV adaptation is much calmer.
Director Raymond Rouleau was better known for his 1950s stage productions of Hugo; this was his rare screen return to the material.
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