Cabeza de Vaca (1991): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1991, Cabeza de Vaca is an action, drama and history film directed by Nicolás Echevarría, running about 111 minutes.

What it’s about. An international award winning saga of old Mexico. In 1528, a Spanish expedition flounders off the coast of Florida with 600 lives lost. One survivor, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, roams across the American continent searching for his Spanish comrades. Instead, he discovers the Iguase, an ancient Indian tribe. Over the next eight years, Cabeza de Vaca learns their mystical and mysterious culture, becoming a healer and a leader. But soon this New World collides with the Old World as Spanish conquistadors seek to enslave the Indians, and Cabeza de Vaca must confront his own people and his past.

Who’s in it. Cabeza de Vaca stars Juan Diego as Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, Roberto Sosa as Cascabel / Araino, Carlos Castanon as Castillo and Gerardo Villarreal as Estebanico, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Cabeza de Vaca has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Cabeza de Vaca page.

If you liked it. Fans of Cabeza de Vaca tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.