El Cid

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Henry D @Henry_Domke Oct 13, 2026 Epic in scale, but dated, melodramatic, and too long. The print looked good, but the story plodded along and never felt believable. The elaborate costumes and sets clearly cost a lot, yet still looked artificial. Sophia Loren was beautiful and Charlton Heston heroic, but that wasn’t enough to make the film worthwhile. See more Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 Sep 15, 2026 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.) See more 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. See more JW B @RT15110314 Jan 30, 2025 Timelier today, more than ever. See more 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. See more 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. See more Read all reviews

El Cid

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