The fabled Spanish hero Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar (a.k.a. El Cid) overcomes a family vendetta and court intrigue to defend Christian Spain against the Moors.
Director:
Anthony Mann
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Title: El Cid (1961)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Charlton Heston | ... | El Cid Rodrigo de Vivar | |
| 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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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Epic movie of the legendary Spanish hero, Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar (Charlton Heston) ("El Cid" to his followers), who, without compromising his strict sense of honor, still succeeds in taking the initiative and driving the Moors from Spain. Written by Stewart M. Clamen <clamen@cs.cmu.edu>
Plot Keywords:
spanish history | reconquista | spain | epic | christian muslim conflict |Taglines:
The GREATEST ROMANCE and ADVENTURE in a THOUSAND YEARS! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Release Date:
14 December 1961 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El Sid See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$6,250,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (some 35 mm prints)| 4-Track Stereo (35 mm prints)| 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System)Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1
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(uncredited)
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Miklós Rózsa
Performed by Chorus
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The first movie to be shot at all three of Madrid's large studios: Sevilla, CEA, and Chamartin. See more »Goofs
Alone and on horseback, Rodrigo confronts a group of mounted guards escorting the prince to a dungeon. In response to Rodrigo's demand for the release of the prisoner, the captain of the guard laughingly says, "There are thirteen of us, and you are alone!" In the ensuing fight, Rodrigo, with some help from the prince, un-horses sixteen guards, and two remaining mounted ones flee, for a total of eighteen. See more »Alternate Versions
In some Muslim countries, the film was nearly banned until the censors thought of a better idea, which was to simply cut out the entire climax of the film, so instead of showing the dead El Cid lead his army to victory against the Moors, they simply ended it at his deathbed. See more »Soundtracks
The Falcon and the Dove(uncredited)
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Miklós Rózsa
Performed by Chorus
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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One of my favorite films. One of the great scenes is El Cid's meeting with a leper on the road to his banishment. 'Only one knight in Spain would humble his King and share his water with with a leper.' The player of Lazarus is totally uncredited - it sounds like Claud Rains? surely such a key contribution to the movie should not remain unacknowledeged forty years after its filming. Similarly the closing narration is uncredited as well. 'For Spain and God!'