Don Juan Tenorio (1966)

Don Juan Tenorio is a Romantic play written by José Zorrilla in 1844. The protagonist is Don Juan, an amoral man who feels no remorse for any wrongdoing. He prides himself in getting any woman he wants and killing any man that gets in his way. However, he changes his ways after he is challenged to win over the seemingly hardest woman to get, a nun named Doña Inés. It is a wonder story of redemption and love.

While this is a play, there is a full movie version here. It is faithful to the original play in style and script. You can read the script here. Sorry if you don't speak Spanish.

Style and Structure: The play is written in verse. Most lines are written with eight syllables, but there is some variation. It also rhymes consistently throughout the whole play. The story is linear, although the space of time between the two acts is substantial. 

The characters clearly represent certain attributes that contradict and complement each other: 

• Don Juan is a symbol of the devil and of rebellion.
• He is a dynamic character. He has a change of heart because of his love for Doña Inés

Don Juan Tenorio

• Doña Inés is a symbol of purity and righteousness. She is a nun, who falls in love with Don Juan, but remains celibate because she dies in the space of time between Don Juan's fleeing the country and his return. 
• Her character is static. She continues loving Don Juan, even when he kills her father. 
• Her love for Don Juan ultimately is what grants him salvation. 

Doña Inés

• Don Gonzalo is Doña Inés' father. He represents justice. When Don Juan appears to have abducted Doña Inés, he confronts Don Juan and is killed in the struggle. This is particularly illuminating especially because Don Juan flees the country i.e. justice. 
• Don Gonzalo is a static character. He later appears to Don Juan as a ghost to escort him to hell.

Don Gonzalo

• Brígida is Doña Inés' handmaiden. She acts as an advocate for Doña Inés and Don Juan's relationship. She alternates between being reasonable and passionate. 
• She is opposite Don Gonzalo in behavior. 

Brígida

The most beautiful part of the story is the paradox between Don Juan and Doña Inés. Don Juan is the worst of the worst and Doña Inés is the best of the best. In the end their love for each other is what saves them both.