El Cid (1961)

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.

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writers:

Fredric M. Frank (story), Philip Yordan (screenplay)

Stars:

Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Raf Vallone

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 10 nominations.

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

spanish history | reconquista | spain | epic | christian muslim conflict | 

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Taglines:

Lover, Leader, Living Legend!

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | History | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Italy USA

Language:

English Latin Italian

Release Date:

14 December 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

El Sid

Filming Locations:

Sevilla Studios, Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$6,250,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$26,620,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuel Bronston Productions, Dear Film Produzione

Technical Specs

Runtime:

182 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (some 35 mm prints) 4-Track Stereo (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ben Barzman and Basilio Franchina worked uncredited on the screenplay.

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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.

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Quotes

El Cid: People of Valencia! I bring you bread!

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Alternate Versions

1993 reissue restores 16 minutes of "lost" footage.

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Connections

Featured in A Night at the Movies: The Gigantic World of Epics (2009)

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Soundtracks

The Falcon and the Dove
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Miklós Rózsa
Performed by Chorus

User Reviews

" And the Cid rode thru the gate and into legend "

El Cid is the story of the legendary Rodrigo Diaz who lifted his country with valour and integrity to drive the Moorish invaders from Spain.

I think the best thing i can say about this film is that even tho it's nearly three hours long, i never once look at the clock. It's a thoroughly engaging picture that boasts all the great hallmarks of a sweeping historical epic. The colour, the costumes, the scope, and the attention to detail from director Anthony Mann are first rate, and par for the course is the suitably rousing score from Miklos Rozsa. Big square jawed bronzed beefcake Charlton Heston takes the lead role as Diaz, and firmly cements himself as the go to guy for gargantuan epics. Support comes in the form of Sophia Loren, Genevieve Page, Raf Vallone, John Fraser {excellent}, and Gary Raymond {also excellent}.

The story is an excellent one because Diaz was such a fine character from the annals of Spanish history, uniting the sulking Christian kings of Spain whilst simultaneously lifting the people of the streets off their knees and getting them to believe in the cause. Yet it has to be said that El Cid is far from the perfect historical epic movie, even allowing for the usual hollywoodisation of facts, one can't quite get past the fact that El Cid comes across as a glamorised glory tale without any hindrances. Surely here in the 11th century, El Cid's path would of been fraught and sodden with a great deal more death and destruction?, it takes away greatly from the films end because the build up of Cid's heroism actually didn't contain a great deal of hard work.

Still it's a wonderful film that ticks all the boxes for genre staples, and as churlish as i may be as regards the assumptive nature of El Cid's story being told here, i'm still the first to start cheering and thumping my chest as the credits role, not even Sophia Loren's pout can distract me from the bravado warmth washing over me, 8/10.