The fabled Spanish hero Rodrigo Diaz (a.k.a. El Cid) overcomes a family vendetta and court intrigue to defend Christian Spain against the Moors.
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Title: El Cid (1961)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Charlton Heston | ... | El Cid Rodrigo de Vivar | |
| 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 |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Epic film of the legendary Spanish hero, Rodrigo Diaz ("El Cid" to his followers), who, without compromising his strict sense of honour, still succeeds in taking the initiative and driving the Moors from Spain. Written by Stewart M. Clamen <clamen@cs.cmu.edu>
Plot Keywords:
spanish history | reconquista | spain | epic | christian muslim conflict |Taglines:
The GREATEST ROMANCE and ADVENTURE in a THOUSAND YEARS! See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Release Date:
14 December 1961 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El Sid See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$6,250,000 (estimated)Gross USA:
$26,620,000Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (some 35 mm prints)| 4-Track Stereo (35 mm prints)| 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System)Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1
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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.
See more »
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Miklós Rózsa
Performed by Chorus
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Sophia Loren was once late to filming because the elaborate costume given to her by the wardrobe department made a strange "clank" noise and had to be replaced. See more »Goofs
After talking with Rodrigo on their wedding night, Jimena has a stern look on her face. With the next cut, slightly closer, she is visibly upset with tears already streaming down her face. See 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.
See more »
Soundtracks
The Falcon and the Dove(uncredited)
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Miklós Rózsa
Performed by Chorus
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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I was debating how to vote on this one as it is one of my favorite movies of all time, and only if I felt something was missing would I not give it a 10.
Well I couldn't think of a single thing missing or that could've been done better in this movie, so this is the first 10/10 or 5/5 I have given. Seriouslly, its that good.
I am very particular about my movies. There has to be good story, characters, action, cinematography and attention to detail and authenticity.
El Cid has all this and more. The characters are compelling and real, both noble and craven. The story is based on a real person and real location and events, although I am sure some liberties have been taken to dramatize things during this Spanish/moorish conflict. Costumes seem authentic, and there is plenty of action for all so long as you don't mind the long periods of drama between them. And frankly, I give this movie a capitol D for drama!
This is the kind of classic epic that moves you emotionally and draws you in, you feel for the characters and are awed by the events. If you like historical/medieval drama, watch El Cid. It is a classic.