Movie "El Cid" - DVD Movies Encyclopedia

Short description of the movie "El Cid"

Eleventh-century Spain is divided into Christian kingdoms and Moorish strongholds. The young Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar—dubbed El Cid by his followers—vows to see his country at peace, free from the invader. Vigorously brave and resourceful, the noble knight hates bloodshed and faces treason charges at court for the clemency shown to some emirs. His accuser, Gomez, father of his fiancée, Chimene, dies in the resulting duel. Chimene's avowed vengeance plot fails and Rodrigo is given her hand; the marriage is not consummated and she enters a convent. On Ferdinand's death, his kingdom is divided among his three children. Sancho challenges the decision and imprisons Alfonso, who is released by the Cid. The African war-lord, Ben Yssef, takes advantage of the quarrel by having Sancho assassinated. Alfonso now claims that throne, too, and exiles the Cid. Chimene realizes the nobility of her husband and joins him, but returns to the convent with their two children, when he goes into battle against Ben Yussef. The years pass, El Cid becomes a revered warrior, but refuses to aid Alfonso, preferring his own strategy. He lays siege to Valencia, catapulting food into its starving garrison; when the Valencians kill their evil ruler, Al Kadir, they offer the crown to the Cid. He sends it to Alfonso, who rushes, hysterically gratified, to his side. But the Cid has been hit by a stray arrow. Attended by Chimene, he hides the wound from his men and prepares a final bid to drive the Moors from Spain.

Starring actors in "El Cid" movie:

Charlton Heston as a character El Cid Charlton Heston also starred in the next movies: "Hercules"; "True Lies"; "Tombstone" in a role of Henry Hooker; "The Order" in a role of Prof. Walter Finley; "The Little Kidnappers" in a role of James MacKenzie; "The Agony and the Ecstasy" in a role of Michelangelo; "In the Mouth of Madness" in a role of Jackson Harglow; "The Greatest Story Ever Told" in a role of John the Baptist; "Ben-Hur" in a role of Judah Ben-Hur;

Sophia Loren as a character Jimena Sophia Loren also starred in the next movies: "Between Strangers" in a role of Olivia; "Grumpier Old Men" in a role of Maria Sophia Coletta Ragetti; "Houseboat" in a role of Cinzia Zaccardi; "Nine" in a role of Mamma;

Raf Vallone as a character Count Ordóñez Raf Vallone also starred in the next movies: "The Godfather: Part III" in a role of Cardinal Lamberto;

Geneviève Page as a character Princess Urraca Geneviève Page starred only in the movie "El Cid"

John Fraser as a character Prince Alfonso John Fraser starred only in the movie "El Cid"

Gary Raymond as a character Prince Sancho Gary Raymond also starred in the next movies: "The Foreigner" in a role of Jared Olyphant; "Jason and the Argonauts" in a role of Acastus;

Frank Thring as a character Al Kadir Frank Thring also starred in the next movies: "The Vikings" in a role of Aella; "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" in a role of The Collector; "Ben-Hur" in a role of Pontius Pilate;

Andrew Cruickshank as a character Count Gormaz Andrew Cruickshank also starred in the next movies: "The 39 Steps" in a role of Sheriff;

Douglas Wilmer as a character Moutamin Douglas Wilmer also starred in the next movies: "Jason and the Argonauts" in a role of Pelias;

Tullio Carminati as a character Priest Tullio Carminati also starred in the next movies: "War and Peace" in a role of Prince Vasili Kuragine; "Roman Holiday" in a role of Gen. Provno;

Ralph Truman as a character King Ferdinand Ralph Truman starred only in the movie "El Cid"

Christopher Rhodes as a character Don Martín Christopher Rhodes also starred in the next movies: "Becket" in a role of Baron;