MovieChat Forums > El Cid (1961) Discussion > One of the best epics ever made........

One of the best epics ever made........

posted 17 years ago by ccmiller1492
15 replies | jump to latest

and certainly one of the best film scores ever written. Although Miklos Rosza was prolific in film scores, particulary epic films, this has to be his best. Quo Vadis?, King of Kings, Ben Hur, Lust for Life and many others are all memorable, but El Cid in my opinion is the most stirring and haunting of all his film scores and provides such vital color and character to the film, yet stands on its own as a beautiful piece of music worthy of the best classical orchestras.

[–] ixta_coyotl 17 years ago

i agree, outdone only by lawrence of arabia and maybe a couple others... i wish this had a region 1 dvd release it really deserves an executive treament!

[–] picardy-third 17 years ago

THE best movie score in film history. In all the epics films, all the John Williams scores, the best of the best, there is nothing that tears the heart out more than El Cid. And there never will be again.

"There is only one man in all of Spain who can humble a king..."

[–] jstang411 12 years ago

Certainly, given when it was made, it should be mentioned in the same sentence as Spartacus and Ben Hur. Still have no idea why it is most often not.

[–] FoxyRedFox 12 years ago

This is my favorite epic movie. I also agree with the score being fantastic.

[–] jstang411 12 years ago

Completely agree. And it is so textured. Much more than other movies of its age.

I think Heston was fantastic. And Loren was, well Loren (skin, face, eyes, hair, figure and all).

[–] turtletommy 12 years ago

Definitely one of the best epics ever made, and I absolutely love Rozsa's score. I've never really warmed up to Sophia Loren but she was fine in this. Genevieve Page as Princess Urraca was sexier and more interesting a character to me.

[–] jstang411 12 years ago

Genevieve Page as Princess Urraca was sexier and more interesting a character to me.

Sohpia just was that devasting look for me, but certainly Page had the more interesting character. You are for a good part of the movie not sure which way she is going to go. Factions of the Moors as good guys and a love relationship which is often hate are two other examples of how this is an Epic where all is not just black or white in this film.

[–] Dungatar 11 years ago

Very good film, i also liked Urraca played by Genevieve Page but Sophia is better.

[–] IndianaMcClane 11 years ago

It is criminally underrated. I think it easily deserves to be mentioned in the same breadth as other big epics of the time that are more well known/remembered today like "The Ten Commandments," "Ben-Hur", "Spartacus", and "Lawrence of Arabia".

Although it seems to be more of an issue of it not being as well known, rather than not being judged fairly. As most people I know who have seen it love the film.

[–] Falconeer 10 years ago

Absolutely agree; better than Ben Hur, Spartacus, and all the rest. It's amazing that El Cid isn't more well-known.

"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

[–] Ken K. 10 years ago

Absolutely. It introduced a piece of Spanish history to the rest of the world that they did not know. And the music? One of the most exciting scores of all time. I saw it when it first came out in its roadshow engagement. One of my all time great memories is the Entr'acte music which is called The El Cid March. Are the original soundtrack tapes of this music missing? I'm always disappointed when a new album comes out and it is only someone re-recording it rather than the original. For those who know that piece of music, it increased in volume as each iteration of the main line was played. That theater was booming and with the final pounding of the drums and clashing of cymbals, the lights were slowly turned down. There has never been a lead-in to a film like that before or since.

[–] turtletommy 10 years ago

Yes the original soundtrack recording master tapes are missing. This link gives some history on the El Cid soundtrack: http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/notes/el_cid.html

[–] Ken K. 10 years ago

Thanks for the great link.

[–] MetalgearSldSnk 8 years ago

I didn't like it.

[–] super-sapien 8 years ago

the first hour and a half is really good. the rest sucks.

and the score isn't good. there are no memorable melodies. ben hur and king of kings is better. and even those two only have one good melody each.

if you think this is a great soundtrack go listen to conan the barbarian... this is a joke compared to that.

people just like average music... like beethoven and mozart.

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