Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > El Cid (1961)
El Cid
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Photos (see all 27 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   4,134 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 101% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Anthony Mann
Writers (WGA):
Fredric M. Frank (story)
Philip Yordan (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for El Cid on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 December 1961 (USA) more
Tagline:
The GREATEST ROMANCE and ADVENTURE in a THOUSAND YEARS!
Plot:
Epic film of the legendary Spanish hero, Rodrigo Diaz ("El Cid" to his followers), who, without compromising his strict sense of honour... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
International Film Music Critics Announce 2008 Nominees
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 16 January 2009, 4:43 PM, PST)

Charlton Heston Dead At 83
 (From WENN. 6 April 2008, 7:11 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
"The Greatest Film Ever Made" more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charlton Heston ... El Cid

Sophia Loren ... Jimena
Raf Vallone ... Count Ordóñez
Geneviève Page ... Princess Urraca (as Genevieve Page)
John Fraser ... Prince Alfonso
Gary Raymond ... Prince Sancho
Hurd Hatfield ... Arias
Massimo Serato ... Fanez
Frank Thring ... Al Kadir
Michael Hordern ... Don Diego
Andrew Cruickshank ... Count Gormaz
Douglas Wilmer ... Moutamin
Tullio Carminati ... Priest
Ralph Truman ... King Ferdinand
Christopher Rhodes ... Don Martín
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
182 min
Country:
Italy | USA | UK
Language:
Latin | English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
It wasn't until viewing the finished film at the premiere that Dr. Miklós Rózsa discovered that roughly 20% of his score had been eliminated. He didn't do another score for producer Samuel Bronston. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When he is fighting another king's champion, the figure of Rodrigo, as he is being run into by his opponent's horse, is clearly a motionless stick-figured dummy with Rodrigo's armor on it. more
Quotes:
Jimena: Why did you come?
El Cid: I tried not to come. I tried, I told my love it had no right to live. But my love won't die...
Jimena: Kill it.
El Cid: You kill it! Tell me you don't love me.
Jimena: [long pause] I cannot. Not yet. But I will make myself worthy of you Rodrigo, I will learn to hate you.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Batman: A Death Worse Than Fate (#1.10)" (1966) more
Soundtrack:
The Falcon and the Dove more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
51 out of 78 people found the following comment useful:-
"The Greatest Film Ever Made", 9 September 2001
10/10
Author: egrorian

Although generally regarded as "good but not great", I consider "El Cid" to be the best film ever made.

The film always flies past for me, no matter how many times I've seen it and is virtually perfect. Each character is memorable and well-acted (with the possible exception of Sophia Loren's Chimene) - stand outs are Heston, Genevieve Page as Uraca, John Fraser as Alphonso, Gary Raymond as Sancho and Raf Vallone as Ordonez, but the all the supporting roles are performed with conviction.

Amongst the many other plus points are the exciting action scenes, in particular the combat for Caloharra, which, although the viewer is never in any doubt that Rodrigo will be victorious, is superbly performed and totally convincing. Also, Miklos Rosza's impressive score ranks amongst his very best.

"El Cid" has never been given the praise it deserves, often being over-shadowed by (the admittedly excellent) "Ben Hur". Perhaps this is down to personal taste as most critics and viewers would disagree, but I think "El Cid" is just marginally superior.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for El Cid (1961)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Is it me or is El Cid kind of a self-righteous jerk? LFUTOL2
How did El Cid capture the Moor Princes? angmc43
Favourite Scenes... Starrios
remake? mrharper77
Alleged Heston-Loren Personality Clash Eradan
Alternative warholesque poster for El Cid czechmovieposters
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Queen Christina Alexander The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Gone with the Wind Kingdom of Heaven
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb Italy section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.