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El Cid

Play trailer Poster for El Cid Released Dec 14, 1961 3h 4m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Spain is overrun by the Moors and the country's only hope rests in a heroic knight known as El Cid (Charlton Heston). He knows a divided Spain cannot stand and implores his countrymen to unify in order to repel the invaders. But a hitch develops in El Cid's campaign: He gets exiled from his homeland of Castile by the region's power-hungry ruler. In the meantime, he attempts to reunite with his estranged wife, Jimena (Sophia Loren) -- who's still upset by the fact that he killed her father.

Critics Reviews

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Fernando F. Croce Slant Magazine To say that El Cid is the most intelligent of the elephantine epics of the early '60s is to damn it with faint praise. Rated: 3/4 Jan 28, 2008 Full Review Phil Mayer Honolulu Star-Bulletin A beautifully filmed, often very exciting saga. Mar 17, 2023 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins There are no wasted moments - it starts right into the action from the opening scene and, despite its three-hour running time, keeps up interest and suspense. Rated: 9/10 Aug 24, 2020 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren at their prime, Anthony Mann's grand historical epic is still much admired by viewers and directors. Rated: A- Jan 31, 2012 Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Charleton Heston is the perfect mythic conflicted hero. Rated: B Apr 29, 2008 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Not many filmmakers could make the transition to epic filmmaking with all their signature touches intact; Anthony Mann more or less succeeds. Jan 17, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Vitor O 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/17/25 Full Review JW B Timelier today, more than ever. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/25 Full Review Chris F This is a hearty story of valor 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review Mary W El Cid with Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren is one of the GREAT classical movies. It has romance, history and suspence along with beautiful costumes and scenery. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/27/23 Full Review Shay C 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/14/23 Full Review John L 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/01/25 Full Review Read all reviews
El Cid

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Cast & Crew

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Anthony Mann

Director

Charlton Heston

El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar)

Sophia Loren

Jimena

Raf Vallone

Count Ordóñez

Geneviève Page

Princess Urraca

John Fraser

Prince Alfonso

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El Cid

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Movie Info

Synopsis Spain is overrun by the Moors and the country's only hope rests in a heroic knight known as El Cid (Charlton Heston). He knows a divided Spain cannot stand and implores his countrymen to unify in order to repel the invaders. But a hitch develops in El Cid's campaign: He gets exiled from his homeland of Castile by the region's power-hungry ruler. In the meantime, he attempts to reunite with his estranged wife, Jimena (Sophia Loren) -- who's still upset by the fact that he killed her father.
Director
Anthony Mann
Producer
Samuel Bronston
Screenwriter
Fredric M. Frank, Philip Yordan, Ben Barzman
Distributor
Allied Artists Pictures, Miramax Films
Production Co
Samuel Bronston Productions, Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 14, 1961, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Jan 29, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$26.9K
Runtime
3h 4m
Sound Mix
Surround