When 1993 version of this classic tale was aired, it really helped me learn (and really WANT) to understand spoken Spanish. I'd taken "Spanish as a foreign language" classes, but all the grammar and boring exercises really didn't sink in much--until I started watching this captivating telenovela. Then something clicked, awakened by my interest and my brain understood these wonderful actors almost magically!
Both fans of CS and those wondering about world-wide appeal of this novela might also be intrigued by somewhat scholarly study of the story written in Spanish by an Anglo university professor.
Recently I've been trying to find some telenovela to watch that suits my current viewing mood--something NOT harshly modern or about teenage troubles (tho "Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso" eventually caught my interest--partly because of character of stammering "Jota", who reminds me of a young Eduardo Palomo with his comic talent and sensitive tenderness; I saw Palomo in 1980's telenovela "Picara Sonadora", a kind of modern-day family "screwball comedy" that could have been made back in 1930's). And Jota's "Julietta" is a *little* like Edith Gonzalez/Santa Monica, strong, smart, yet also sweet.)
Beautiful scenery (especially by the ocean), appealing characters viewers care about, leavening of good humor and wit, lovely costumes and authentic interiors, and some social consciousness were all elements I was trying to find for leisurely entertainment. Finally I just realized, why not watch CORAZON SALVAJE again!
Someday, I hope (am positive:-), this entire telenovela will become available in format originally aired on Mexican television (30 minute episodes ending in cliff-hangers), with not a second edited out, and all of the original, evocative, perfect soundtrack music included. Tons of fans around the world are willing to purchase the complete telenovela (perhaps with closed captions in other languages), like Korean "continuing dramas" are currently available from companies that broadcast them.
Another classic favorite of mine is LA MENTIRA starring Guy Ecker and Kate del Castillo (those who have seen that, will recall which elements it shares with CORAZON SALVAJE--not the least is that both were based on sadly out-of-print mid-20th century books by Caridad Bravo Adams).
A few recent novelas I got interested in watching more than a few episodes of are by a new "classic" writer who uses colors & shapes in a symbolic code, Colombian Julio Jimenez: "Viuda de Blanco", "Cuerpo del Deseo" and "Madre Luna". While those fall short of the perfection of 1993 CS, they also include memorable "families" of friends who help each other, especially the poor and downtrodden, yet rich in love.
