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El Cid

Play trailer Poster for El Cid 1961 3h 4m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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 01/28/2008
3/4
To say that El Cid is the most intelligent of the elephantine epics of the early '60s is to damn it with faint praise. Go to Full Review Phil Mayer Honolulu Star-Bulletin 03/17/2023
A beautifully filmed, often very exciting saga. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/24/2020
9/10
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. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 01/31/2012
A-
Starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren at their prime, Anthony Mann's grand historical epic is still much admired by viewers and directors. Go to Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope 04/29/2008
B
Charleton Heston is the perfect mythic conflicted hero. Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid 01/17/2008
Not many filmmakers could make the transition to epic filmmaking with all their signature touches intact; Anthony Mann more or less succeeds. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Vitor O Mar 17 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. See more JW B Jan 30 Timelier today, more than ever. See more Chris F 09/23/2024 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. See more Shay C 10/14/2023 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. See more John L @view2views 01/09/2023 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. See more 01/09/2022 Excellent lavish epic starring the great charlton Heston..a great sword fest. See more Read all reviews
El Cid

My Rating

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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

El Cid (1961) El Cid (1961) View more photos

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