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I first saw this film at movie theatre in Madrid, Spain when it had just come out. It received a standing ovation from the viewers at the film's end, when the dead El-Cid, mounted on horseback (held in place), frightened the Moors, and finally just rode out to an emptu beach.This movie took some historical license with how El Cid actually died. (He was not mortally wounded by an arrow, but died of a fever). Nevertheless, this film is a pleasure for all and a "must see" for military historians, reenactors, and wargamers.
I had been looking for this DVD for some time. Very pleased with thequality on the DVD. The actors (Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren hvae always been favorites and the performance in this movie was excellent.
The harangue of Beni Yusef at the beginning sounds like it could have come right out of an al-Qaida propaganda video. Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren give impressive performances in this rather long production. A great film. Charlton Heston plays el Cid, a Spanish noble who is respected by Christian and Moor alike. It may be long, but it is a BIG story.In the period in which this film is set Spain is divided between Moors and Christians. Christian kingdoms are gradually gaining the upper hand but the threat of a new Muslim invasion from North Africa hangs over Moor and Christian alike. His is a struggle to fight the invaders while trying to make a king worthy of Spain.There are alliances and changes in allegiance and even I had trouble remembering which kingdom was which in this fragmented version of Spain. But the movie speaks to honor, courage and nobility and as such is a wonderful movie.
Everyone should submit at least once, for it will sweep you away in scenarios of unparalleled feeling, magnitude, forcefulness, and technical movie making mastery. What is equally dramatic is the role the making of this movie, centuries later, had in transforming the image and economy of Spain again in the 60s when Spain was marketed and perceived in its utter cliche form as a culture of castanets, flamenco gypsies and, bull fighting. Watching this most inspiring Golden Globe winning epic movie is sublime. Those fierce battles purged a dual richness of culture whose amputation still haunts and deprives Europe of a great possible ecumenism. It is hard not to focus on the artistic brilliance of the all real production and its gargantuan management but, in another viewing, ponder the political influence this project had in its time reveals whole other exercise in critical awareness to move the repeat viewer. Yet, what is most interesting apart from the almost flawless artistry of the project, is its double transformative historical reality. It's emulation is animated her in "El Cid".
So powerful was the influence of the movies' production on tourism, commerce, and diplomatic relationships, that the pall of Axis ally that hung over the Franco Regime was virtually erased and again a paradigm shift occurred. This is the confession of a producer's more or less aging son. With the making of El Cid, Spain's image changed profoundly. Then, in its 11th Century context, the struggles between the competing poles of Christianity with its richness and power craven aristocratic advocates versus the evolved, indigenous, Islamic society, cruelly forged the wrenching transformation of Spain and much of Europe. We see every day the dogmatic legacy of a millenieum of internicine conflict. There are so many levels the magnificent Weinstein remastered DVD package offers to a critical viewer. William Bronston, MD
This is excellent movie for the whole family and it is to bad that Hollywood cannot or will not make them like this any more. Rest assured that this is a 4 star movie and you will not be sorry you bought it.
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