‘El Cid’ a classic

By Rexton Kuchinsky, commentary

June 27, 2008 12:09 am

— No folks, I haven’t gone away, just took a little break for health reasons and for some time to recharge my batteries. During my hiatus, though, I have had a chance to view a few new movies and fortunately some of the classics. More and more classics are coming to DVD and I couldn’t be happier. In fact this week I’m reviewing a movie that I hadn’t seen since I first saw it at the old Esquire Theater in 1961. I loved it then and even more 47 years later.
The movie is “El Cid” starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren. Heston was the leading man in Hollywood for epics at that time, having played Moses in “The Ten Commandments” in 1956 and Judah Ben-Hur in “Ben-Hur” in 1959. So it was only natural that he would be cast as the larger-than-life Spanish hero “El Cid.”
“El Cid” is the story of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar. He is a real character in history and probably the most famous Spanish hero of all time. Now, as in any movie based on a true-life character, we have to take into consideration that Hollywood will always embellish the story. I’m sure that “El Cid” is no exception, but the story told by director Anthony Mann is captivating.
In the beginning of the film, Rodrigo gives mercy to a Moor. At the court of King Ferdinand his betrothed’s father, who is also the king’s champion, accuses him of treason. He attacks Rodrigo and in defending himself he kills him.
Now at this time in Spanish history there were several kingdoms, each ruled by their own king. When word gets out of the death of King Ferdinand’s champion a neighboring king challenges Ferdinand’s ownership of the city of Calahorra. Rodrigo accepts the challenge, hoping to vindicate himself of the accusation of treason. King Ferdinand accepts and what follows is one of the best battle scenes of all time. Rodrigo must face their champion in a duel to the death. It includes jousting, fighting with mace and chain and the long sword. Of course Rodrigo wins and becomes the King’s new champion. His relationship with his fiancé is strained, though, as she has vowed on her father’s dying breath to kill Rodrigo.
The king’s champion Rodrigo keeps the kingdom safe and strong, but when Ferdinand dies Prince Sancho is named king. Naturally, when with two brothers, the one left out always plots against the other. Prince Alfonso has Sancho murdered and Rodrigo at Alfonso’s coronation makes him swear, in public, on the Bible that he had nothing to do with Sancho’s death. Alfonso is so angry that he exiles Rodrigo from the kingdom.
It is finally when he is exiled that Jimena (Sophia Loren) finally comes to him. Even though he had forced her to marry him by claiming responsibility for her since killing her father, the marriage had never been consummated.
Just when Rodrigo and Jimena think they will spend their lives together in marital bliss, Rodrigo is called to help defend Spain against the invading Moors. It is here that the legend of “El Cid” is born.
Now I could go on and spill the beans about the rest of the movie but for those who haven’t seen it I don’t want to spoil it for you. Suffice it to say the battle for Valencia and the ensuing battle against Ben Yusef (Herbert Lom) is the climax of the movie. The cinematography is excellent and the performances by Heston and Loren are quite good. The musical score by Miklos Rozsa is beautifully done.
I guess I’ve been fortunate not to see “El Cid” until this latest DVD. Seeing the movie some 47 years later it looked as good today as it did then. For those of you who haven’t seen it, do so and enjoy. These type of movies are not made very often and this one ranks right up there with the best of them.
The DVD version of “El Cid” comes with two discs, The first disc has the first two hours and the second the final hour and eight minutes. The second disk also has several features about the movie and the filming of it.
“El Cid” is 188 minutes in length and is not rated.

Photos