El Cid 

Also known as: Cid (Le)

Genre: historical epic 

With: Charlton Heston (Rodrigo de Vivar, a.k.a. El Cid), Sophia Loren (Jimena), Raf Vallone (Don Garcia, Count Ordóñez), Geneviève Page (Princess Urraca), John Fraser (Prince Alfonso), Gary Raymond (Prince Sancho), Douglas Wilmer (Moutamin the Moor)

Director: Anthony Mann

Screenplay: Philip Yordan, Fredric M. Frank and Ben Barzman, based on a story by Fredric M. Frank

Release: 1961

Studio: Samuel Bronston Productions, Dear Film Production

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.4/10

A Man Who Sought Peace… and Had to Kill for It

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Story-line: in or around 1110, Spain is in total turmoil. While the kingdom’s Catholics resist Moorish invaders and a Moroccan warlord plans a second invasion of his own, Rodrigo de Vivar, a local nobleman, dreams of stopping the bloodshed and marrying fair Jimena. Now that’s a tall order, Rodrigo!

Pluses: a forceful cast led by Charlton Heston (for his strength), Sophia Loren (for her emotional range and beauty), Geneviève Page, John Fraser and Gary Raymond, remarkable direction (the battle and crowd scenes in particular), a robust symphonic score (Miklós Rózsa), sumptuous visuals (Robert Krasker) and magnificent costumes, sets and exteriors.

Minuses: you may feel a certain déjà vu if you have already seen two other Heston blockbusters, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (the exile scene, Urraca’s behaviour) and BEN-HUR (Rodrigo’s white horse).

Comments: although it keeps to the established formula of big budget epics – A-list actors speaking solemnly, lots of drama and pageantry, the usual mix of elevated sentiments, tough talk, mayhem and ever-threatened love, a majestic soundtrack and ultra-high-grade production values – EL CID rolls along with such overwhelming power that it captivates for all of its 182 minutes. Even Rodrigo can’t resist it: ‟I told my love it had no right to live. But my love won't die...” Well said, my Spanish friend…

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At Play in the Fields of the Lord

 

Genre: adventure drama   

With: Tom Berenger (Lewis Moon), Aidan Quinn (Martin Quarrier), John Lithgow (Leslie Huben), Kathy Bates (Hazel Quarrier), Daryl Hannah (Andy Huben), Tom Waits (Wolf), Stênio Garcia (Boronai)

Director: Hector Babenco

Screenplay: Hector Babenco, Jean-Claude Carrière and Vincent Patrick (based on a novel by Peter Matthiessen)

Release: 1991

Studio: The Saul Zaentz Company

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.4/10

Either Converts or a Nuisance

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Story-line: in the depths of Amazonia, missionaries and mercenaries clash about the fate of an Aboriginal tribe.

Pluses: an uncompromising story that offers its fair share of twists and turns, a very credible cast, irreproachable direction and production values, those lovely forests of Venezuela and Brazil.   

Minuses: although it doesn’t feel overlong, this movie lasts 3 hours… so plan your viewing accordingly.     

Comments: if you’re in the mood for a very original story set in unfamiliar lands, this brave and worthy film certainly fits the bill. AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD raises serious issues about the development of our so-called ‟Third World” – whether in the name of human progress or simply for profit – and delivers a sobering, cringe-making message. As Hazel Quarrier will say, ‟Are we in Hell and just don't know it?”

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Sabrina

Genre: romantic comedy    

With: Humphrey Bogart (Linus Larrabee), Audrey Hepburn (Sabrina Fairchild), William Holden (David Larrabee), Walter Hampden (Oliver Larrabee), John Williams (Thomas Fairchild), Martha Hyer (Elizabeth Tyson), Joan Vohs (Gretchen Van Horn), Marcel Dalio (Baron St. Fontanel)

Director: Billy Wilder

Screenplay: Billy Wilder, Samuel Taylor and Ernest Lehman (from a play by Samuel Taylor)

Release: 1954

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.0/10

She May Be Reaching for the Moon But She’s Got a Pretty Long Arm

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Story-line: the daughter of a chauffeur working for a wealthy Long Island family is secretly in love with David, the family’s younger son… but David and kin have more appealing prospects in mind.  

Pluses: an effective screenplay peppered with humour and sparkling dialogues, excellent direction, an able cast displaying impeccable comic timing, a delicately tailored ending and Bogart’s ode to capitalism recalling Gordon Gekko’s in WALL STREET.  

Minuses: the film may require a leap of faith here and there but no more than any other modern fairy tale.  

Comments: SABRINA is not one of Billy Wilder’s greatest accomplishments but its value cannot be denied, especially when you compare it with the fatally flawed remake of 1995. Enjoy the wonderful dynamics between Bogart, Hepburn and Holden, three huge Hollywood stars, and pay attention to Marcel Dalio (1900-1983) in a minor role. During his long film and television career, Marcel has worked with Gabin, Gene Kelly, Bogart and Bacall, Renoir, Arletty, Howard Hawks, Cayatte, Maria Montez, Danny Kaye, Gregory Peck. Marilyn Monroe, Shirley MacLaine and Frank Sinatra, Cukor, de Broca, John Wayne, Belmondo and Louis de Funès… quite a gallery!

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