LOVER, LEADER, LIVING LEGEND!

In the 11th century, Spanish nobleman Don Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (Charlton Heston) shows mercy to two captured Moorish emirs, something that will both hurt and help him in future conflicts between Spanish royalty and Moorish armies.

Anthony Mann’s first historical epic was inspired by actual events; apart from the political intrigue, the film also depicts a romance made complicated by the killing of Sophia Loren’s father. Lots of fighting in a film that is technically elaborate, with on-location splendor in Spain and a rousing score.

The morbid ending is more memorable than El Cid’s battle for monarchy and love.

1961-U.S.-Italy. 184 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Anthony Mann. Music: Miklós Rózsa. Song: ”The Falcon and the Dove” (Miklós Rózsa, Paul Francis Webster). Production Design: Veniero Colasanti, John Moore. Cast: Charlton Heston (Don Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar), Sophia Loren (Chimene), Herbert Lom (Ben Yusuf), Raf Vallone, Geneviève Page, John Fraser, Michael Hordern. 

Trivia: Jeanne Moreau and Ava Gardner were reportedly considered for the part of Chimene; Orson Welles as Ben Yusuf.