|
|
Rating:  - El Cid DVD
While not one of the great movies of all time and endowed with its share of problems, El Cid has always been one of my favorites. It inspired an interest in Spanish history and the music of Miklos Rozsa. Both have been rewarding, life-long pursuits. And this DVD restoration is excellent - clarity, color, sound, commentary, special features, all of it.
Rating: - A Classic Movie
Well I have been waiting a long time to see this movie on DVD and I enjoyed just as much seeing it recently as I did years ago. It is not historically correct that is true but I could not wait to join in with the "CID, CID" calls. Great movie and Sophia Loren is stunning
Rating:  - Journey with me through medieval Spain
El Cid has been one of my favorite films, man and boy, for 47 years. It is the story of Roderigo Diaz of Bivar, destined to unify medieval Spain, both Christian and Moor, under the leadership of a single king, in order to protect her from the depredations of a tyrannical invader. It is also a love story as Roderigo loses the love of the "beautiful Chimene" to protect the honor of his family, and how she rediscovers her love when he loses all for the honor of Spain.
Charlton Heston stars in the title role, whose stature and sincerity easily transition into the mythic finale of the film. The ageless Sophia Loren plays Chimene, whose character is as proud and powerful as that of her lover. The rest of the cast is filled with the best film and stage actors that Europe could produce: Gary Raymond, Herbert Lom, Genevieve Bujold, Raf Vallone, John Fraser, Michael Hordern and Douglas Wilmer.
It is refreshing that, in an age of Computer Generated Imagery, this film chose locations and built sets that matched the grand background of this Spanish legend. The castle of Belmonte, that provides the backdrop to the tournament at Calahorra, blends seamlessly with the sets of the throne room at Castile and the cathedral at Burgos. There is no fakery here. The sets constructed, the costumes, armor and weapons manufactured are all real and as authentic as historical accuracy would allow.
This two-disc Collector's Edition has many special features. Along with the digitally remastered feature, it also has an insightful "Making of . . ." featurette and a short film on Samuel Bronston, the film's producer. Samuel Bronston was a maverick independent producer during the waning days of the Hollywood studio system, who specialized in making epic films. Among his films are John Paul Jones, The Fall of the Roman Empire, King of Kings and 55 Days at Peking. To this day, Jeffrey Hunter and his striking blue eyes is still my vision of Jesus. It also provides stills from the film, a facsimilie of the souvenir program and the Dell comic book (I still have mine from 1961). My favorite feature is the one on Miklos Rozsa, the film's composer, whose canon of film music has never been equaled in breadth, scope or quality.
This film still stands the test of time and is well worth the asking price and the time spent wandering through its wonders. I hope that you will journey with me through medieval Spain. I have never been disappointed. I know you won't.
Rating: - Bronston triumphs again
Samuel Bronston ( King of Kings) is the master of the historical epic. El Cid went into production in Spain on the heels of King of Kings and a number of the cast and crew came fresh from their performances in the latter. It is ironic that Bronston had the distinction have having these two films in their roadshow engagements simultaneously. I remember seeing both on Broadway the theatres were across the street from each other , El Cid at the Warner and King of Kings at the Loews State.
While King of Kings has been on DVD for about 5years it's a pleasure finally to have the long awaited El Cid. The film itself focuses in on the struggles of a nation and the struggles of individuals all of which
are resolved by the end of the film. I don't know why Bronston chose Philip Yordan to script the screenplay. I felt at times it was a little tedious. Supported by a triumphant score by Miklos Rozsa ( King of Kings ,Ben Hur ) and great acting and cinematogrsphy it was a great
spectacle .I highly recommend it.
Rating: - "The Greatest Romance and Adventure in a thousand years!" - An accurate tagline for once
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!
|
|