El Cid (1961)

Synopsis

In the second half of the 11th century, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the Cid Campeador, became famous for his victorious campaigns against the Muslims (conquest of the Kingdom of Valencia). Unjustly accused of treason, Rodrigo kills in mourning Jimena’s father, who rejects him and closes himself in a convent. This is the starting point for numerous vicissitudes: the intrigues of Count García Ordóñez, the challenge of King Ramiro of Aragon and his confrontation with Alfonso VI (Jura de Santa Gadea), who banished him from Castile.

Technical details

Director
Anthony Mann

Script
Philip Yordan & Fredric M. Frank

Music
Miklós Rózsa

Photography
Robert Krasker

Production company
The Rank Organisation / Samuel Bronston Productions

Film Genre
Adventure | Historical. 11th century. Biographical. Middle Ages. Epic cinema

Cast

Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Raf Vallone, John Fraser, Geneviève Page, Gary Raymond, Herbert/Herbert Lom, Massimo Serato, Douglas Wilmer, Michael Hordern, Andrew Cruickshank, Ralph Truman, Hurd Hatfield, Gérard Tichy, Christopher Rhodes, Frank Thring, Carlo Giustini, Barbara Everest, Fausto Tozzi