El Cid

Released Dec 14, 1961

3h 4m

History

Drama

List

93%

14 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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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

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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

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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

01/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent lavish epic starring the great charlton Heston..a great sword fest.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

andrew m

One of the best of the historical epics due to the artwork, script and magnificent Rosza score. It is intelligent and political in tone throughout and has clear parallels for today whilst also representing a distant past and way of thinking. It is marred at times by wooden acting but this does not really detract much from the spectacle, although the last hour could do with some intelligent cutting. However, it remains a landmark that needs to be seen on the big screen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/03/21

Full Review

georgan g

Too dated to be interesting. Can't stand to watch them making horses fall in battle. Skip this one.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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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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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
Screenwriter: Fredric M. Frank, Philip Yordan, Ben Barzman
Distributor: Allied Artists Pictures, Miramax Films
Production Co: Allied Artists Pictures Corporation, Samuel Bronston Productions
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