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El Cid (Two-Disc Limited Collector's Edition) (The Miriam Collection) (1961)

Charlton Heston , Sophia Loren , Anthony Mann  |  Unrated |  DVD
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (288 customer reviews)

List Price: $39.92
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DVD Two-Disc Deluxe Edition $18.31  
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Frequently Bought Together

El Cid (Two-Disc Limited Collector's Edition) (The Miriam Collection) + The Fall Of The Roman Empire (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (The Miriam Collection) + Quo Vadis (Two-Disc Special Edition)
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Product Details

  • Actors: Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Raf Vallone, Genevičve Page, John Fraser
  • Directors: Anthony Mann
  • Writers: Ben Barzman, Fredric M. Frank, Philip Yordan
  • Producers: Jaime Prades, Michal Waszynski, Samuel Bronston
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, Widescreen, Limited Edition, NTSC
  • Language: English, Latin
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Rated: Unrated
  • Studio: Miriam Collection
  • DVD Release Date: January 29, 2008
  • Run Time: 181 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (288 customer reviews)
  • Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
  • ASIN: B000WMFZNS
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,358 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "El Cid (Two-Disc Limited Collector's Edition) (The Miriam Collection)" on IMDb

Special Features

None.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Product Description

Now available on DVD for the first time, this sweeping, Oscar®-nominated epic is "one of the most spectacular mega-productions ever made" (Louis Black, The Austin Chronicle). Digitally remastered and loaded with revealing special features, El Cid stars Academy Award-winners Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren in two of their legendary performances. Anthony Mann masterfully directs this classic tale of the 11th-century hero (Heston) who fought to unite Spain. Known as history’s "compassionate warrior," the film follows El Cid’s remarkable journey from peace-broker accused of treason to the King’s fighting champion, and later from exiled hero to legendary martyr. Unequaled in scope, grandeur and adventure, El Cid is an essential part of any film lover’s collection.

Customer Reviews

I can't wait to purchase my own copy on DVD! James Maynard  |  29 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
209 of 220 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars MAGNIFICENT November 12, 2007
Format:DVD
It has been a very long wait indeed for a proper, high resolution 2 disc anamorphic DVD of this epic medieval tale of passion and chivalry. The final results are breathtaking. The transfer is stunning and the sound is rich and full. This is rousing entertainment on the grandest scale.

It's hard to understand why this film took so long to arrive on DVD. Perhaps, as some have suggested, the subject matter has been an issue in our over-sensitive, shrinking world of religious violence. Or our discomfort with nebulous concepts of love, forgiveness and peace. But most likely a matter of rights and licensing issues.

The relevance of this extraordinary film remains current and is a monumental artistic achievements of world cinema. On a personal level, this terrific film provoked me into thinking about how belief systems -- especially about the nature of God (or Allah) -- benefit or harm our world.

The essence of the conflict between warring Castilians and Moors and an invading Muslim threat is unflinching in the opening scene as the North African holy warrior Ben Yussuf quotes "the Prophet" as promising to conquer the world in the name of Allah.

But the real conflict is the idea that there can be peace -- and perhaps even love -- between those who hate. This is exemplified in the troubled and intimate story of Rodrigo (Charlton Heston) and Ximena (Sophia Loren). It begins simply enough with a knight on his way to meet his bride when destiny forces a detour.

El Cid, the legendary hero of Spain was a real person named Don Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar. He lived around 1035 A.D. Although he spent much of his time fighting on the side of the Moors, he became identified as the best incarnation of the true Castilian Christian spirit.
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56 of 60 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! EL CID on DVD! March 2, 2001
Format:DVD
This has been my favorite film since it was screened for us as students in High School so many years ago. It was the first video I ever purchased, also many years ago, and I have always regretted that the pan&scan format cropped so much of the magnificent 70mm image out. This is a film that MUST be seen in the widescreen format! Both Heston and Loren were recent Oscar winners when they were teamed for this and both are at the height of their personal appeal and stardom. The justly famous tournament scene rivals the chariot race from BEN HUR for sheer excitement, and the lush location photography in Spain makes every scene vivid. Although a bit long, the story is well paced and you will wish for more. The exquisite score by Miklos Rozsa will benefit from DVD's improved sound quality. I can't wait to purchase my own copy on DVD!
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49 of 52 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Epic with Heston and Loren at their best!! June 12, 2002
Amazon Verified Purchase
Heston did so many 'costumers' it was easy to over look just how magnificent some were and this is one of the best. My favourite is the quieter War Lord, but El Cid never fails to move me. It works on many levels, the breathtaking epic, the love story between Heston and Loren, with the secondary characters, especially John Fraser and Herbert Lom, giving fine performances. The jousting sequences outstanding, the location work panoramic....a true experience.
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102 of 115 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Film is better than its presentation November 8, 2005
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I saw this film during its first run in 1961. It was presented in 70mm on a huge screen with outstanding sound. Rosza's music was always part of the appeal. The photography was sometimes breathtaking. The color was rich and beautiful. Among Heston's epics it was neither Ben Hur nor the Ten Commandments, but there are hundreds of movies of less merit that have been given better treatment than this one.

The DVD I have was purchased through Amazon's resale program. It seems to be of Chinese origin as the subtitles are in that language. The print is really pretty awful. The colors seem to bleed and overall the image is not sharp. The sound is stereo with none of the impact of that 1961 memory.

This movie was "restored" in the early nineties. I remember seeing Ms. Loren talking about it on one of the morning programs. But this is not that print. It is a mere shadow of what might have been.

The movie deserves to be presented in a double DVD with full honors of trailers, "Making of...." and the best print they can come up with. Sure it's not Lawrence of Arabia -- what is? Lawrence is by consensus of a half dozen sources one of the three greatest movies of all time. But El Cid is not about an anti-hero like Lawrence but rather about a principled guy with courage and values. There IS an audience for that, too.

I don't know whether the American rights to this movie are tied up by some estate or some studio, or what. But it is time to give us the movie with the technical quality of the original. The movie itself may be a 3 1/2 out of 5. But the only excuse for this foreign ersatz is as a stopgap until the real thing FINALLY comes out.
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars At last, at last.... January 2, 2008
Format:DVD
Finally, El Cid to be released in a digital format. I remember this film from 1961 when as a twelve year old I saw this movie while living on the navy base at Mare Island. It prompted me to visit the base library to see what I could find on the Cid. I remember being very disappointed when I found out he wasn't exactly what Hollywood portrayed in the movie. It didn't matter....the movie is a gem and I saw it again and again.

Anthony Mann hit a homerun when he put Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren together on the screen. The magic is obvious from the first scenes of them together. A gripping screenplay, great locations, terrific photography, and an excellent score by Miklos Rozsa make this movie a benchmark for film making of another era. This, as another reviewer mentions, is the last great movie of Heston's to be released. Shame, shame for it taking so long.

Are we too sensitive today for the contents of this film? Too politically correct? I hope not. The peaceful coexistence of Islam and Christianity, a topic touched on in the film, certainly is a topic of importance today. But that shouldn't be the main idea behind viewing this film. It should be viewed for the great picture it is. If its relevant, great. And what of Heston's stand on the Second Amendment? What difference does a political stand have on the greatness of this movie?

You'll want to buy this one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT MOVIE. EPIC AND HISTORIC
MY FAMILY ENJOY IT AND WE VIEWED IT ALL TOGETHER. Great actors and the quqlity of the dvd is amazing
Published 9 hours ago by Sylvia Y. Briones
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece
A huge fan of Charlton Heston since I was a little girl. This movie not only is a good account of history but it is beautifully performed by the entire cast. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Caroline Rushby
5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch
Saw this on a big screen in 1962-63. I loved the BIGNESS of this movie. Some say bombast. Who cares? Read more
Published 24 days ago by neasden oz
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, I thought.
El Cid is a 1961 medival epic based on the legends of Rodrigo de Bivar, the spanish warrior who fought for the Spaniards and Moors during the 9th century. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kurt Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars I don"t understand why this isn"t available for region 1
Possibly the best of the epic dramas, El Cid Was shot in 70mm Super Technirama. The sets were full size with a cast of thousands (No CGI in in this one) and it shows! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gary J. Sleeman
4.0 out of 5 stars I like it, but...
I am glad to now own this blu-ray. I just wish all blu-rays were "all regions." As long as I am wishing, I wish all blu-rays had English subtitles (; but probably all... Read more
Published 1 month ago by JP
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent movie
i tried for years to locate this movie. could not believe it was not available until now. if you like history,if you like Charlton heston,if you like sofie loren, you will love... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mary Ann Owens
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent movie!
Excellent cast as usual Charlon Heston and Sophia Loren are just right for this movie. I playit once in a while again.
Published 1 month ago by CARIDAD FANNING
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
An excellent film recount of Cervantes' epic novel of the war between catholics and moors. How "El Cid Campeador" was instrumental in winning the war even after dying in... Read more
Published 1 month ago by H. J. V.
5.0 out of 5 stars El Cid
It was a movie I'd seen years ago and so much wanted to add it to my collection. I love. it.
Published 1 month ago by Barbara Cummins
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Which El Cid Edition to choose?
Based on a TV commercial I just saw on CNN, it looks like the "Limited Collector's Edition" includes some printed materials (photos, Program, etc.) which are probably NOT in the "DeLuxe" edition. As for the on-DVD features, I don't know. If you're a fan, it's probably worth... Read more
Feb 10, 2008 by P. Lafford |  See all 6 posts
When is this movie coming out? EL Cid
I am also needing to know how to get an English copy of the El Cid DVD, preferably with some special features, e.g., paralleling the bin-Laden type jihad leader defeated by El Cid with today's defense against Islamist jihadist imperialism.
Oct 1, 2006 by Abu Isa |  See all 2 posts
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