Review of El Cid (1961) by Ethan H — 27 May 2014
One of the very best Hollywood epics of all time and one of Director Martin Scorsese favourite films.
Anthony man tackles the story of Spanish hero Rodrigo Diaz De Bivar better know as El Cid.
El Cid is portrayed by Charlton Heston who gives a superb performance as he battles rival kings and the war like moors in order to win the favour of the woman in his life Chimene played by the beautiful Sophia Loren.
The film is of course huge on a grand scale but as with all his epics Anthony Mann manages to apply plenty of detail a high quality acting to add to the spectacle on the screen.
Heston gives one of his very best performances as El CID he simply holds the screen in a role he seems made for.
Loren proves more than a match for him and gives as good as him when Rodrigo kills her father for a slight against his family.
But of course the best part of the film is the huge battle scenes involving a cast of thousands and a suitably sinister Herbert Lom as leader of the invading armies proving that there was a lot more to his range than Inspector Clouseaus beleaguered boss.
The final siege on the castle in one of the greatest spectacles ever committed to the silver screen.
Its fantastic to see all those extras up on the screen it feels much more a live and vibrant than tons of CGI.
A masterpiece of its type and we will never see the like again which is a great pity.
This review of El Cid (1961) was written by Ethan H on 27 May 2014.
El Cid has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
