El Cid

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El Cid

1961

3h 4m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Spain is overrun by the Moors and the country's only hope rests in a heroic knight known as El Cid (Charlton Heston). He knows a divided Spain cannot stand and implores his countrymen to unify in order to repel the invaders. But a hitch develops in El Cid's campaign: He gets exiled from his homeland of Castile by the region's power-hungry ruler. In the meantime, he attempts to reunite with his estranged wife, Jimena (Sophia Loren) — who's still upset by the fact that he killed her father.

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Fernando F. Croce

Slant Magazine

Jan 28, 2008

3/4

To say that El Cid is the most intelligent of the elephantine epics of the early '60s is to damn it with faint praise.

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Phil Mayer

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Mar 17, 2023

A beautifully filmed, often very exciting saga.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 24, 2020

9/10

There are no wasted moments - it starts right into the action from the opening scene and, despite its three-hour running time, keeps up interest and suspense.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jan 31, 2012

A-

Starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren at their prime, Anthony Mann's grand historical epic is still much admired by viewers and directors.

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Apr 29, 2008

B

Charleton Heston is the perfect mythic conflicted hero.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Jan 17, 2008

Not many filmmakers could make the transition to epic filmmaking with all their signature touches intact; Anthony Mann more or less succeeds.

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Huntin P

@PaxVobiscum80 1 day ago

El Cid (1961) is one of the great Hollywood epics of its era. Interesting trivia, to me anyway, is that the big duel scene, between Don Martin and Don Rodrigo, was shot at the same location used by Ralph Bakshi for the Battle of Helm's Deep (Lord of the Rings, 1978). Like all movies made before the advent of green screen and CGI, El Cid is intensely physical. The battle scenes have the ring of truth precisely because there are thousands of people, all in medieval armour, re-enacting a battle on location. Charlton Heston, the face of such movies, brings all his gravitas to the role. This movie is a visual feast, pageantry, ceremony, love and duplicity, intrigue and nobility. If you saw this in childhood much is likely etched upon your memory. The terrifying build-up to the battle, as the armada marches up to the city in fifty different shades of black, and later, when the Cid emerges into the sun, his armour shimmering in the light, and then the organ music bursts in! (I need a moment.)

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Vitor O

@RT19027067 Mar 17, 2025

A classical tale of medieval heroism and chivalry, this movie is an impressive achievement that, however, is handicapped in its dramatic impact due to its bombast and over grandiosity.

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JW B

@RT15110314 Jan 30, 2025

Timelier today, more than ever.

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Chris F

@Christopher345 Sep 23, 2024

This is a hearty story of valor and romance set against the backdrop of the battle between Christians and Moors for control of Spain. It is sweeping and epic with no holds barred sword fighting and battle scenes. It is an excellent movie with strong performances all around.

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Shay C

@RT56568166 Oct 14, 2023

I have almost nothing bad to say of this film, other than that it is perhaps a bit too long. Other than that, it's a beautiful romance in the classic sense of the word.

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John L

@view2views Jan 9, 2023

El Cid is the great epic of conflict and challenge; and a love story without equal. As a boy I was enthralled as a man even more I am impressed! I recommend you view this film.

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Anthony Mann

Director

Charlton Heston

El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar)

Sophia Loren

Jimena

Raf Vallone

Count Ordóñez

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Synopsis

Spain is overrun by the Moors and the country's only hope rests in a heroic knight known as El Cid (Charlton Heston). He knows a divided Spain cannot stand and implores his countrymen to unify in order to repel the invaders. But a hitch develops in El Cid's campaign: He gets exiled from his homeland of Castile by the region's power-hungry ruler. In the meantime, he attempts to reunite with his estranged wife, Jimena (Sophia Loren) — who's still upset by the fact that he killed her father.

Director: Anthony Mann
Producer: Samuel Bronston
Screenwriter: Fredric M. Frank, Philip Yordan, Ben Barzman
Distributor: Miramax Films, Allied Artists Pictures
Production Co: Samuel Bronston Productions, Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 1961, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Jan 29, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.9K
Runtime: 3h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround

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