‘Hearty’ historic saga with Hollywood legends now on BBC | Films | Entertainment | EUROtoday

El Cid is a movie loosely based mostly on the lifetime of the Eleventh-century Castilian knight and warlord Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, generally known as “El Cid”. The movie transports audiences to Spain because the nation falls beneath Moorish invasion, with the nation’s sole hope mendacity with a legendary knight El Cid (portrayed by Charlton Heston).

El Cid recognises {that a} fractured Spain is doomed and urges his fellow countrymen to unite in opposition to the invading forces. However, El Cid’s mission faces a major impediment when he’s banished from his native Castile by the area’s bold ruler. Meanwhile, he seeks to reconcile along with his estranged spouse, Jimena (portrayed by the legendary Sophia Loren), who stays embittered by the very fact he killed her father.

Whilst the movie runs for over three hours, it instructions a formidable 93% score on movie evaluate web site Rotten Tomatoes. Critical reception has been largely beneficial, with one evaluate noting: “A classical tale of medieval heroism and chivalry, this movie is an impressive achievement that, however, is handicapped in its dramatic impact due to its bombast and over grandiosity.”

Another commented: “This is a hearty story of valour and romance set against the backdrop of the battle between Christians and Moors for control of Spain. It is sweeping and epic with no holds barred sword fighting and battle scenes. It is an excellent movie with strong performances all around.”

“I have almost nothing bad to say of this film, other than that it is perhaps a bit too long. Other than that, it’s a beautiful romance in the classic sense of the word,” mentioned a 3rd.

Another posted: “El Cid is the great epic of conflict and challenge; and a love story without equal. As a boy I was enthralled; as a man, even more I am impressed! I recommend you view this film.”

A fifth mentioned: “Gorgeous epic based on the historical courageous exploits of a Spanish hero, El Cid. Made in 1961, this massive epic was filmed without the help of CGIs, and so the thousands of soldiers and horses were thousands of real actors and horses. Only one man could have filled those epic heroic shoes of Rodrigo El Cid. The same man who parted the red sea. The same man who rode the chariots in a do-or-die battle against his childhood friend.

“Yes, its non aside from Charlton Heston who had the epic stature, the chiselled attractiveness and the masculinity to play the function. Before Angelina Jolie, the queen of pouty lips was Sophia Loren. Her smoky sizzling pouty lips are the goals of each kissing man. The movie is a feast for the eyes on lovely vibrant interval costumes, castles, structure and delightful Sophia Loren and her arch nemesis.”

However, some reviews highlighted its length and slow pace, with one reviewer noting: “Started off a bit sluggish and with poor motion scenes. But boy, what a narrative! The continuous ethical battle between doing the fitting factor and likewise obeying his poor excuse of a king, set in opposition to his unconventional dedication to his spouse, finally confronted along with his personal mortality… good movie.”

Another chimed in: “Historical epic retelling the exploits of Spain’s biggest hero. For such a protracted movie, it does rattle alongside fairly nicely and though the battle scenes are fairly unimpressive – the ultimate scene is about as iconic a cinema second as you will get!” A third commented: “Perhaps not so good as I remembered from childhood viewings, however nonetheless an incredible epic saga.”

El Cid is now available on BBC iPlayer.

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