Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.ca
Technically ambitious but artistically underwhelming, this 1961 epic by Anthony Mann (Man of the West) stars Charlton Heston as an 11th-century hero who drives the Moors from Spain. The film has been described as "glum," and that is indeed apt for a story that focuses so much on its central character's losses in the face of his simultaneous, mythic approbation. Then again, Mann has always been interested in the hidden weaknesses in prevailing myths, so that's not unusual. What is unusual in El Cid is the degree to which technology takes over his filmmaking, as it does here with so many grandiose and bravura moments with a roving camera that don't add up to anything beyond spectacle. As an achievement of Hollywood's technical advancements in the postwar years, and also as part of the filmographies of Mann and Heston, the film is well worth a look. But it is not the artistic equal of other epics of its day, such as Lawrence of Arabia. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By chuck canuk
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
El Cid has always been one of my favorite movies. This DVD release is like seeing it at the movie theatre again. Both the sound and picture are remarkable. The scenery is incredible as well as the acting by the great stars of the 60's. The story holds your interest from beginning to end. I highly recommend this release.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Ray Koenig
Format:VHS Tape
My sentiments are pretty much identical with the ones of the gentleman Sri, from India. I am very disapointed that this magnificantly depicted story has not found favor with the DVD formating industry. After all stories such as 'Tale of two cities', 'Count of Monte Christo', 'Man in the iron Mask','Scarlet Pimpernel', the list goes on..;has been formated in DVD format. I can only wonder if the reason for not having 'El Cid' on disc was a matter of preference or economics at time of decision? I understand that not everyone may enjoy this 'Genre'but personally I believe it's one of the best re-telling of a magnificent, by-gone era and is certainly worthy of DVD formating-if for nothing else but to retain History. I truly wish that this masterpiece of cinamatic splendor would be re-formated and re-mastered digitally. It is such a great story and so masterfully depicted that it most certainly worthy of telling to future generations-and what better way to preserve this on DVD format, since it keeps a lot better than Tape?
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased two ...........one for a gift and one for my personnal use. A classic movie that not to many people have seen.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 285 reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
DVD available on amazon.fr
This film deserves a Criterion DVD complete with a restored print. It certainly is a timely film and I find its vision of mutual tolerance and charity between Christians and... Read more
Published on July 4 2004 by Orson Welles
5.0 out of 5 stars
a massive, glorious spectacle
The imagery in this film is magnificent, with lavish, spectacular sets and vast battle scenes. The cast is great, with beautiful performances by Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren;... Read more
Published on May 23 2004 by Alejandra Vernon
5.0 out of 5 stars
CHUCK'S FINEST HOUR
They should have stopped making the epic after EL CID. How can any filmmaker really think he can top this masterpiece of the cinema? Read more
Published on May 8 2004 by Joseph Murillo
4.0 out of 5 stars
DVD/widescreen lovers take note
While we all wait for the US/GB distributors to pull their fingers out with a top-notch DVD release, fanatics can get the best yet 'El Cid' from Amazon France's marketplace... Read more
Published on May 4 2004 by Keith Ducklin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Me encanta "El Cid"!
I too am saddened by the fact that this marvelous film is still unavailable on DVD. I immediately bought the VHS version when it first came out for almost $100 way back when and,... Read more
Published on Mar 4 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
El Cid
El Cid is the greatest medeval period movie ever made,barring none. Heston and Loren are at their best. 5 stars are not enough to rate this movie. Read more
Published on July 14 2002 by Thomas Magalhaes
5.0 out of 5 stars
El Cid - Heston at his best
Ths is a GREAT historical epoch , in my opinion , with Heston at his best just as in Ben Hur .
Published on May 25 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my all time favorites!
I've just been watching my murky video copy of this classic epic from 1961 and had hoped to find that a better copy has been released. Sadly, it has not. Read more
Published on May 18 2002 by Margaret M. Duffy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Anthony Mann's first completed Epic.
Those of you familiar with Anthony Mann's gritty Westerns (Winchester '73, The Man From Laramie) know that he always pushed the envelope for brutally intense action sequences. Read more
Published on Dec 21 2001 by Frank Gibbons
4.0 out of 5 stars
When It's A Choice Between History And Myth -
- Write, or in this case film, the myth. Those reviewers who complain about the general historical inaccuracy of this movie are quite correct but they have forgotten Rodrigo Diaz... Read more
Published on July 26 2001 by Queen Cobra, Goddess of Truth and Justice
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
