Review of El Cid (1961) by Ola G — 27 Jul 2014

One of the greatest crimes in the history of cinema is that this film is not a renowned and beloved classic like other films of it genre from the period. Such as "The Ten Commandments", "Ben-Hur", "Spartacus", and "Lawrence of Arabia".

As in my opnion, it easily matches them in terms of power of sheer filmmaking, spectacle, and arguably most importantly storytelling. I would say that after thinking on it and seeing it more than once that it has become one of my favorite films of the genre (though to be fair there are a ton of films in this genre I have said that about, haha), as well as films in general.

Perhaps the most disappointing thing with regards to this film's obscurity is concerning how relevant it's story and message have become in our post 9/11 world. Creating a great divide between humble members of certain faiths, and their extremis counterparts who give them a bad name.

Telling a grand story about how the Christians and Muslims of Spain came together to defend their homeland from being conquered by a group of extremists bent upon world domination. Though it is interesting to note that two of the biggest Medieval Battle Epics of modern times were heavily influenced by this film.

Those being Mel Gibson's "BRAVEHEART" (Another film about a country's national hero that fought for the freedom of his people, uniting and inspiring many others) and Ridley Scott's "KINGDOM OF HEAVEN" (Another film that deals heavily with Christian and Muslim conflict of that era and the necessity of tolerance).