El Cid [1961]

Before this film the history of El Cid was virtually unknown outside Spain where he is a national hero. This, surely, was the film made for Charlton Heston as Rodrigo Diaz of Bivar (Vivar in the song or poem of the Cid). From his first scene shot to the last you get this sense of his great presence that other actors don’t seem to have. It was said that Charlton Heston was unhappy with the script that he was presented with and so did his own research into the character, in order get into the soul of the man he had to play in to eleventh century Spain. A true professional. The skill of all these actors have in an era before CGI is nothing short of superb. CGI of this era would have been painstakingly painted on each frame! The film itself draws mainly from the Poem of the Cid which is very long and from the Historia Roderici. From the opening scene in which we see Rodrigo clearing the cross of Christ of arrows at the end of a battle in which he captured four Muslim Emirs, and was asked to give them up for execution, but instead Rodrigo lets them go, after assurances, with one of the Emirs Lord Moutamin announcing ‘...in my culture a man with the wisdom and courage to do what you are about to do we call Al-sied’ (El Cid) we knew we were in for a real treat! A must see film! The sword fights and battle scenes are so well choreographed that you believe they are real. The atmosphere produced, at times, by the battle drumming and sheer numbers of the Moorish enemy is electric. In one scene The Cid fought off thirteen others in order to release their prisoner Alfonso to which Alfonso declares ‘...what kind of a man are you?’ but remember this man by this time is the Kings champion and history records him as having never lost a battle - unequalled across Europe at the time, and probably now. Now to the end battle and ‘...the gates of history into legend’ – well, I’m not going to spoil it for you, you will just have to see the film. However, history records that it might be, in part, true. Only Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops in Spain would know when they desecrated his (El Cid) tomb. This film truly is - the best epic ever screened! The only down side is that although it is on Blu-ray in wide screen format, unlike previous versions, it is a German import and auto starts the film in German. The way out is to press ‘disk menu’ button, or equivalent – this gets you to the main menu in German. There are three options choose the third (extreme right of screen) – then choose the second option (this looks like English) press OK. There is no acknowledgement – press back to main menu (still in German) – restart film. Now in English.

It is interesting to view a performance by 2 actors who would rather not be seen together {according to reports} I am pleased to have this great film as part of my collection on Blu-Ray, and if it is true that Sophia Loren demanded a re-write we are in her debt. EL CID begins so well, with the burning of a church and showing Heston carry a wooden cross on his back {while Heston had played John The Baptist he had never played Jesus} Then we get EMIR BEN YUSSUF dressed in black from head to toe and I believe black mascara, I forget the name of the actor however how could I forget this speech to his followers: "The Prophet has commanded us to rule the world where in all your land of Spain, is the glory of ALLAH ? when men speak of you they speak of poets, music makers, doctors, scientists WHERE ARE YOUR WARRIORS ? you dare call yourselves sons of the PROPHET ? you have become women. BURN YOUR BOOKS make warriors of your poets let your doctors invent new poisons for our arrows let your scientists invent new war machines and then .... KILL .... BURN infidels live on your frontiers encourage them to kill each other and when they are weakened torn I WILL SWEEP UP FROM AFRICA AND AS THE EMPIRE OF THE ONE GOD THE TRUE GOD ALLAH WILL SPREAD FIRST ACROSS SPAIN THEN ACROSS EUROPE THEN THE WHOLE WORLD !" {then we have the conclusion of EL CID with the victory of Light over Darkness} "Heavanly Father open your arms to receive the soul of one who lived and died The Purest Knight Of All" {A TRUE EPIC}

A lot of discussion is going on about the aspect ratio of El Cid by reviewers who do not seem to have viewed the film in any format and they may be putting off potential buyers in the hope of a better presentation, which may not materialize. I myself was hoping that a 50th anniversary edition may be issued in USA, but finally succumbed and bought this set and am glad of it. One reviewer, who may not have seen this film at all, claims that this was filmed in Ultra Panavision with the ratio of 2.75:1 but it is not so. The main title states "Super Technirama 70" - they should have added "in selected theatres" though. For details about the Technirama look up Wikipedia. According to the IMDb the aspect ratio of the original negative was 2.20:1 (that would be after unsqueezing the anamorphic image), but 2.35:1 with 35mm prints. Unfortunately no mention of the aspect ratio with Super Technirama 70, so called when printed on 70mm film with 6-channel soundtrack. The comfort is, with the aspect ratio of 2.35:1 we are getting basically what the majority of viewers not living in major cities were getting in smaller cinemas back in 1961 but with the luxury of a surround sound they only heard about. Some claim this blu-ray is no better than upscaled DVD, but no doubt this is a genuine HD transfer. You can't expect the same crispness like Ben-Hur or Cleopatra which had almost double the negative size, and had been very well preserved, so different from El Cid. Moreover, unusual for such a gigantic production, the picture is rather often out of focus. One ought to be grateful to have this restoration. I never saw such a complete version before with the overture, intermission music, entr'acte and exit music. However, they ought to have clearly separated the short intermission music and entr'acte which follows without break and "intermission" screen still on, and when it ends the second part starts immediately. The sound quality of the music is hardly CD quality - I compare it with the authentic "soundtrack" album conducted by Rozsa - but excellent for its age. The surround sound is nicely done, more effective than even Ben-Hur - for example the echo in the cathedral square and the empty palace hall. So much for the technical side. As a Heston and Rozsa fan I have to love this film, but it is not a great film in spite of many positive qualities, as Heston himself said in interviews and his books.

Perhaps Anthony Mann's greatest epic....they sure can't afford to make 'em like this any more ! Easily one of the top greatest films of all time and with the irrepressibly masculine Chuck Heston in the leading role of Rodriguez De Vivar ( El Cid )well supported by Herbert Lom , Raf Vallone , Ian Fraser ( of Dam Buster fame...whatever happened to him ? ) and of course the Lady Chimane played by the most beautiful Sophie Loren. Sadly Loren and Heston did not get on too well ( checkout the Barn Scene where Heston's aloofness to the charms of Loren is palbably distanced )...but the rich colours and scenic photography is fabulously captured in this technicolour masterpiece. I guess for a movie circa 50 years old this Blu Ray version is gonna be the best you'll ever get... a little colour dropout mid movie perhaps but no biggie problem at all. Clarity and precision of picture really is very acceptable ( not brilliant and not up to ZULU standard but still very acceptable ). Sound track much much better than I expected ( but still a little light on the rear speakers ). Had to smile at the " charge across the beach " sequence where the tyre tracks of Mann's Camera Truck were plainly visible.....( thought they may have edited this out )....but what the heck....still a GREAT Movie ! I would recommend this Blu Ray to any epic lover...and it sits quite happily on my EPIC BLU RAY shelf alongside SPARTACUS and ZULU !

As expected

I like the leading actors and all round presentation blue ray quality not too expensive compared with other movies on blue ray

a great period film and stars

El Cid two disc deluxe edition region 2 (DVD) At last the version we deserve with a second DVD of extras. This is an epic in the grand style with not a trace of CGI anywhere.Ok, its pace is a world away from modern films but there are moments of true grandeur, pitched battles, hand to hand combat and chivalry. Charlton Heston was at his peak when he made this and Sophia Loren has rarely looked lovelier, despite sporting twentieth century lipstick throughout and not looking any older, not like Charlton Heston Who ages in the movie. The fantastic climax, with El Cid strapped to his horse and emerging through the castle gates to an accompaniment of organ music, is alone worth sitting through the previous 190 minutes, but there are many other highlights along the way. To top it off there is a wonderful score by Miklos Rosza, who was born to write music for this type of film.

Un film epocale che ha per alcune scene suggerito a Peter Jackson la battaglia degli Orchi nella trilogia de Il Signore degli Anelli.

Impeccable

One of Charlton Heston and Sophie Loren's best film.

Revoir un ancien fims remastérisé.

El Cid (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (The Miriam Collection) is breathtaking in scope and spectacle. This is one of the few post war costume epics that doesn't come across as silly. Both the subject and the film are the stuff of myth. The sets and scenery are astonishing. Sam Bronston's production company spared no expense scouting locations to recreate castles in Spain. Entire industries sprang up whole to create the costumes, saddles, weaponry, armor and other items required for the movie. The sword making industry in Toledo was reinvigorated when the word went out the company didn't want any cheap flimsy props for their epic picture. The Spanish army, and their horses, were hired to portray the thousands of soldiers required in the battle sequences. Something like this will probably never be duplicated again in the real world, and CGI can't reproduce what you see on the screen in "El Cid." Charlton Heston, with a towering physical presence and Shakespearean training, was Hollywood's go-to-guy for epic heroes (as Ben Hur in Ben-Hur (Four-Disc Collector's Edition) , or as Moses in The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection) ). He does not disappoint as "El Cid." Heston does an outstanding job bringing to life "one who lived and died the purest knight of all." El Cid is a man who, with the admiration and respect of both Christians and Moors, defeats an invasion force and units Spain under one king. Sophia Loren, at the height of her beauty, makes an incomparable wife to the legendary hero. The supporting cast are also excellent. The restored version of this movie looks and sounds absolutely gorgeous. This is worth seeing on the largest screen with the best surround sound you can manage. "El Cid" is one of the last movies with a full length score and, although it has been chopped up a bit to allow for a few minutes of sound affects (war drums, clanging swords, etc.) it is a reminder about how much music can lend to a film. For example, one character's death occurs off screen in shadow; we know he is dead because the music informs us. This two disc package breaks up the film during the intermission section. Disc 1 contains the first half of the film and special features, including a commentary track. Disc 2 contains the second half of the film and additional special features including the second half of the commentary, the making of, and informative shorts about the cinematography, the music of Miklos Rozsa, restoration, and more. The commentary is generally good with a lot of information and anecdotes, but from time to time veers off on annoying political tangents. All together this is a marvelous package! His final ride into legend is unforgettable. Highly recommended!