El Cid

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El Cid

1961

3h 4m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

79%

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.

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.

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Phil Mayer

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

03/17/2023

A beautifully filmed, often very exciting saga.

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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.

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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.

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

04/29/2008

B

Charleton Heston is the perfect mythic conflicted hero.

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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.

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Vitor O

@RT19027067 03/17/2025

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.

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JW B

@RT15110314 01/30/2025

Timelier today, more than ever.

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Chris F

@Christopher345 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.

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Shay C

@RT56568166 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.

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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.

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steve d

@RT35616104 07/19/2020

Some cool visuals but the story is nothing great.

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Anthony Mann

Director

Charlton Heston

El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar)

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Jimena

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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
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