The Lieutenant Nun (Spanish: La monja alférez) is a 1944 Mexican historical adventure film directed by Emilio Gómez Muriel and starring María Félix, Ángel Garasa and José Cibrián. It is based on the life of Antonio de Erauso (a.k.a. Catalina de Erauso).Klossner p.221
The film's sets were designed by the art director Jorge Fernández.
Plot In 17th-century Spain, Catalina de Erauso (María Félix), a rebellious young woman confined to a convent, escapes her vows before taking her final veil. To avoid detection, she disguises herself as a man, adopting the name Alonso Díaz, and flees to the New World. Settling in colonial Spanish America, she enlists in the military and serves as a soldier under the command of Captain Juan de Aguirre (Ángel Garasa).
Due to her combat bravery, she is promoted to the rank of alférez (ensign). However, maintaining her secret identity becomes increasingly complex due to continuous romantic advances from local women and frequent involvement in violent brawls and duels. During a street fight, she accidentally mortally wounds her own brother, who serves as the local magistrate. Fatally injured during a later skirmish, Catalina confesses her true biological sex to a priest on her deathbed. She ultimately survives her wounds, and her unique military service and vow of chastity lead to a papal audience with Pope Urban VIII, who grants her a special dispensation to continue wearing male military attire.
Cast María Félix as Catalina Erauso 'La Monja Alférez' / Don Alonso Ángel Garasa as Roger José Cibrián as Juan de Aguirre Delia Magaña as Elvira José Pidal as Don César, canónigo Fanny Schiller as Doña Úrsula Paco Fuentes as Don Miguel de Erauso Eugenia Galindo as Doña Cristina Esther Luquín as Beatriz Maruja Grifell as Reverenda madre José Goula as Don Claudio Lauro Benítez as Don Indalecio Jesús Valero as Sacerdote Manuel Sánchez Navarro as Don Diego Fernández de Córdova, Virrey del Peru Enrique García Álvarez as Don Ignacio de Aguirre Consuelo Guerrero de Luna as Lucinda
References
Bibliography Klossner, Michael. The Europe of 1500-1815 on Film and Television: A Worldwide Filmography of Over 2550 Works, 1895 Through 2000. McFarland & Company, 2002.
External links