IMDb > El Cid (1961)
El Cid
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El Cid (1961) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   4,332 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Fredric M. Frank (story)
Philip Yordan (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for El Cid on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 December 1961 (USA) more
Tagline:
The GREATEST ROMANCE and ADVENTURE in a THOUSAND YEARS!
Plot:
Epic film of the legendary Spanish hero, Rodrigo Diaz ("El Cid" to his followers), who, without compromising his strict sense of honour... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
User Comments:
"The Greatest Film Ever Made" more (70 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charlton Heston ... El Cid Rodrigo de Bivar

Sophia Loren ... Jimena
Raf Vallone ... Count Ordóñez
Geneviève Page ... Princess Urraca (as Genevieve Page)
John Fraser ... Prince Alfonso
Gary Raymond ... Prince Sancho
Hurd Hatfield ... Arias
Massimo Serato ... Fanez
Frank Thring ... Al Kadir
Michael Hordern ... Don Diego
Andrew Cruickshank ... Count Gormaz
Douglas Wilmer ... Moutamin
Tullio Carminati ... Priest
Ralph Truman ... King Ferdinand
Christopher Rhodes ... Don Martín
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Additional Details

Runtime:
182 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Another theory for the horse name of Babieca is that this horse came from the Babia region. This was the reason that the horse became a great war horse. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The interiors are far too bright for medieval castles. more
Quotes:
Jimena: Why did you come?
El Cid: I tried not to come. I tried, I told my love it had no right to live. But my love won't die...
Jimena: Kill it.
El Cid: You kill it! Tell me you don't love me.
Jimena: [long pause] I cannot. Not yet. But I will make myself worthy of you Rodrigo, I will learn to hate you.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Film Geek (2005) more
Soundtrack:
The Falcon and the Dove more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
52 out of 80 people found the following comment useful.
"The Greatest Film Ever Made", 9 September 2001
10/10
Author: egrorian

Although generally regarded as "good but not great", I consider "El Cid" to be the best film ever made.

The film always flies past for me, no matter how many times I've seen it and is virtually perfect. Each character is memorable and well-acted (with the possible exception of Sophia Loren's Chimene) - stand outs are Heston, Genevieve Page as Uraca, John Fraser as Alphonso, Gary Raymond as Sancho and Raf Vallone as Ordonez, but the all the supporting roles are performed with conviction.

Amongst the many other plus points are the exciting action scenes, in particular the combat for Caloharra, which, although the viewer is never in any doubt that Rodrigo will be victorious, is superbly performed and totally convincing. Also, Miklos Rosza's impressive score ranks amongst his very best.

"El Cid" has never been given the praise it deserves, often being over-shadowed by (the admittedly excellent) "Ben Hur". Perhaps this is down to personal taste as most critics and viewers would disagree, but I think "El Cid" is just marginally superior.

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more (70 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for El Cid (1961)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
uk daily mail free dvd of el Cid is widescreen ian-785
Favourite Scenes... Starrios
remake? mrharper77
Is it me or is El Cid kind of a self-righteous jerk? LFUTOL2
Swordsfight at Calahorra peterderijcker
How did El Cid capture the Moor Princes? angmc43
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