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Starring:
Charlton Heston,
Sophia Loren,
Directed By:
Anthony Mann,
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Asia
Format:
Color,
Widescreen,
Import,
Subtitled,
NTSC,
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Editorial Reviews and
DVD Information about
El Cid (1961) [Import]
Product Description
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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Customer Reviews for
El Cid (1961) [Import]
A Classic!
This is a very good quality release of the original Cid. This film is the reconquista on an epic scale.El Cid (1961) [Import]
El Cid OK
My wife and I lived in Spain for several months in the Spring of 2007 to attend the Loius Vuitton races prior to the America's Cup. El Cid is a well known film over there especially amoung the folks our age who remember the implied love making scenes between Charlton Heston and Gina. We traveled to Peniscola where the movie was filmed (it was not filmed in Valencia where the historical events were suposed to have happened) and toured the castle (built by the Templar Knights). Had to have the movie when we returned. It brought back great memories of both Spain and the first time we saw the movie many years ago. Roger H. Strube, MDEl Cid (1961) [Import]
Another great from the golden age of biblical films
Very enjoyable story with great battle scenes. Another one of the great Charlton Heston gems! Sophia Loren isn't bad to look at either!
You won't be disappointed! The quality of the print is also excellent.
Enjoy!El Cid (1961) [Import]
El Cid, the Lord
This film is based on the life of a legendary Spanish hero, and set during the troubled times of the 11th century. Spain was then a jig-saw puzzle of Christian and Moorish kingdoms, fighting each other, and unaware of the threat of the invasion being planned by the Almoravids of Africa. Then, as this became imminent, a man rose and called upon the different peoples to fight the enemy together - not as Christian or Moors, but as Spanish. And this one man led the Spanish to union and to victory.
Thus, it is a story wrought of high-minded politics and deadly battles; but also of striving for peace, and of undying loyalty to one's country and king. And as a golden thread, runs through it a noble love, that neither time, nor distance, nor death itself will ever end.
The adjective "epic" has been applied to too many films, and there is no point in using it here; it would not convey the right meaning. I will rather say that this film is heroic. For it is about a hero: a man who has dignity without pride; who is magnanimous and pious (which we see almost nowhere nowadays), and who has "vision to be just, and courage to be merciful".
Obviously, a good story and main character are not enough to secure the film itself will be good; but "El Cid" is technically considered a masterful production. The performances of the actors are all excellent; the music is very good; the costumes are perfect; and the locations and scenery, though made without all the special effects modern films have, are imposing and verisimilar.
Of all the films made about the Middle Ages, "El Cid" is by far the best. I will go even further; I will say it is one of the best films ever made. I know this may sound exaggerated, but it is the truth, for few other films have such depth and beauty. Even "Ivanhoe" (1954), which may be considered the second best Middle Ages film, lacks "El Cid's" piety and nobility.
As for more modern films, there is nothing to be said. When you decide to watch "El Cid", all thought of films like "Kingdom of Heaven" is put aside; all prejudice against old movies is forgotten. And when the sound of the trumpets stirs your blood, and the melody of the violin sounds within your heart, you know deep inside that this film is timeless, because it is a story of things that never come to an end. It is a story of nobility and strenght: the strenght of God, of truth and of man.
El Cid (1961) [Import]
One of the truly great epics of all time
This is a must for all those that appreciate Great Epics of a bygone era. This was Sofia Loren and Charlten Heston at their Prime. The cinematography is magnificent and the music (Miklos R) is hauntingly beautiful. This is the type of old time classic that one can see over and over again and find new things to satisfy and quench that desire to see a truly memorable motion picture. Pick it up today and you will see that it will inspire you to the zenith of your highest aspiration.
Noel SerranoEl Cid (1961) [Import]
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