The Borgia -2006-2006 • Newest & Real
: Unlike television adaptations that often focus on episodic scandals, this feature-length film attempts to condense the broad history of Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) and his children, , into a single narrative arc. : The film features a prominent Spanish cast, including Lluís Homar as Rodrigo Borgia and Sergio Peris-Mencheta as the ruthless Cesare.
Have you seen the 2006 version of The Borgia? Share your memories in the comments below. And if you’re looking for the Showtime series by the same name, remember to use the search filter "The Borgia -2011 -2013" to avoid confusion.
This episode covers the tumultuous years 1497-1507. It begins with the murder of Juan Borgia, which the script strongly implies was orchestrated by Cesare (though done with ambiguous French restraint). Cesare famously "resigns" his cardinalate to become Captain General of the Papal armies. The episode features the grim siege of Forlì and the infamous scene where Cesare imprisons his enemies in the Senigallia. The finale rushes through the death of Alexander VI (possibly poisoned, possibly by malaria) and Cesare's dramatic fall from power. It ends with Cesare’s death at the Battle of Viana, a rare inclusion for Borgia adaptations.
Depicted less as the legendary "femme fatale" and more as a strategic pawn, married off repeatedly to tighten bonds with rival families. The Borgia -2006-2006
Unlike the 2011 series which padded the narrative over 30+ episodes, moves at a ruthless, operatic pace. The two parts are clearly divided:
The casting of The Borgia (2006) is one of its strongest assets, particularly the lead performance. John Doman, an American character actor best known for playing tough, imposing figures in The Wire and Gotham , steps into the papal shoes of Rodrigo Borgia.
However, there is a possible confusion with: : Unlike television adaptations that often focus on
So why is this version largely forgotten? The critical reception in 2006 was mixed to negative, and it failed to find a lasting international audience.
The Borgia (2006): The Forgotten Masterpiece of Television History
| Feature | The Borgia (2006) | The Borgias (2011) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 3 hours (2 parts) | 29 hours (3 seasons) | | Tone | Greek tragedy, bleak, muddy realism | Operatic melodrama, glamorous | | Rodrigo | Enrico Lo Verso (Italian, ferocious) | Jeremy Irons (English, sophisticated) | | Cesare | Serge Dupire (brooding veteran) | François Arnaud (young, sexy, conflicted) | | Lucrezia | Ángela Molina (middle-aged matriarch) | Holliday Grainger (youthful innocent) | | Incest plot | None | Heavy subtext (later text) | | Ending | Cesare dies at Viana | Cancelled on a cliffhanger | Share your memories in the comments below
Unlike the more refined, seductive portrayal by Jeremy Irons in the later series, Doman’s Borgia is a force of nature. He plays Rodrigo as a man of immense appetites and terrifying will. There is a roughness to his performance that fits the setting; this is a man who fought his way out of obscurity in Spain to conquer Rome. Doman brings a heavy, physical presence to the role, making the spiritual leader of the Christian world feel like a warlord.
The Borgia (2006) is a Spanish-Italian biographical film directed by Antonio Hernández that portrays the 15th-century rise of the Borgia family as a criminal dynasty. Focusing on Rodrigo Borgia and his children, the film balances historical scandal with dramatic exploration of power and loyalty. For more details, visit IMDb . The Borgia (2006) - IMDb
The youngest, often overshadowed, married to Sancha of Aragon to secure Neapolitan alliances.