MovieChat Forums > El Cid (1961) Discussion > loved the movie but some of the costume/...

loved the movie but some of the costume/weapon choices are 500 year off


Its a great film and I know I am nitpicking but its funny to me to see a renaisance weapon, the zweihander or great sword being used in the late 11th century 500 years before they existed. The spanish knights wearing surcoats, havimg heraldry and the tournament helmets are off too but not as much just a decade or two. The surcoat is something that came on style after the first crusade and the first indication of any real heraldry is from the 1130's, Geoffrey plantagnet use of two lions in gold on a blue shield(which would be altered by his grandson Richard the lionheart to England three lions)

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This is a common issue for anything taking place in the 'dark ages' or in the middle ages. Historical details tend to be off by centuries.

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One must bear in mind, however, that the story of "El Cid" was set in the 11th Century, when more primitive weapons were used--before all of today's technology came in.

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