- Film Review
- Reviewed By David Parkinson
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5 out of 5
The epic was in danger of losing its audience when this lavish account of the career of Spanish patriot Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar was first released. While not perhaps on a par with The Ten Commandments or Ben-Hur, it gave Charlton Heston the chance to carry the weight of a nation on his shoulders again, as he takes on the occupying Moors. Director Anthony Mann avoids a mere history lesson, effectively handling the court intrigue and the feud between Heston and estranged wife Sophia Loren. But it's the astonishing action sequences produced by Yakima Canutt's second-unit crew that give the picture its Super Technirama impact. With outstanding supporting performances from Herbert Lom and Genevieve Page, a literate script and a superlative Oscar-nominated score by Miklos Rozsa, this is 1960s Hollywood at its spectacular best.
Plot Summary
Epic historical adventure starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren. During the 11th century, Spain is a country divided between small Christian kingdoms and Moorish strongholds. From the confusion of warring factions there emerges an intrepid knight whose exploits earn him the name El Cid.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar / El Cid
- Charlton Heston
- Chimene
- Sophia Loren
- King Alfonso
- John Fraser
- Count Ordonez
- Raf Vallone
- Queen Urraca
- Genevieve Page
- King Sancho
- Gary Raymond
- Ben Yussuf
- Herbert Lom
- Fanez
- Massimo Serato
- Moutamin
- Douglas Wilmer
- Al Kadir
- Frank Thring
- Count Arias
- Hurd Hatfield
- King Ferdinand
- Ralph Truman
- Count Gomez
- Andrew Cruickshank
- Don Diego
- Michael Hordern
- Don Martin
- Christopher Rhodes
- Bermudez
- Carlo Giustini
- King Ramirez
- Gerard Tichy
- Dolfos
- Fausto Tozzi
- Priest
- Tullio Carminati
- Mother Superior
- Barbara Everest
Crew
- Director
- Anthony Mann
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