 [Larger view] | Christopher Columbus: The Discovery
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Average user rating:  | |
 Historical Accuracy | |
| This film was heavily criticised by leading reviewers. As a teacher I have used this film with students as a surprisingly accurate account. I accept that some performances are terrible (Brando) and the direction is pedestrian, but for historical accuracy it can hardly be criticised, and it's undoubtedly a fun, swashbuckling movie that can pass a wet Sunday afternoon and entertain all ages. Buy it or view it; just don't expect too much. | |
 Good enough - could have been better | |
| I can see by observing other reviews that this is a difficult film to review. Some want to look at historical accuracy (or lack of) others the performances, but I enjoyed this film as a "movie." If this had been released in the 1940's and starring Tyrone Power (perhaps Orson Welles as Torquemada) this would be a minor classic today. Instead due to the time it was released (the 1990's) it gets a lot of flack - some deserved, some not. As a swashbuckling film itself this is an enjoyable romp. The characters and peformances are for the most part engaging. One actor who gets critisized in this film is the late Marlon Brando. I guess I forgive him any faults in this, as I know the history of what went on during the filming. Brando was an actor who enjoyed creating a character - even in the later years, he shined when he was allowed to do this (think Godfather - where he was allowed to stuff he cheeks and mumble). While this film was in production, Brando wanted to sink his teeth into the roll of torquemada (indluding as I recall, having long fingernails, stringy hair and bad teeth) the producers would not allow him to "create" his own character and because he was contractually obligated to do the film, he showed up, stood where the director told him and read his lines as "Marlon Brando" would talk and not as a character. With this in mind one might be able to watch this performance in a different light and perhaps enjoy it more, thinking what this fine actor might have done with it. Not mentioned a lot is what I do believe is the weakest performance in the film...that of Tom Selleck - totally out of place here and difficult to listen to - when he speaks the film really slows. In concert with this, is the lovely Rachel Ward who looks sickenly skinny - her performance is great but I wonder while watching this if she is sick. Having expressed these thoughts, with a little "letting go" one can really enjoy this film. | |
 WHAT IS THIS? | |
| I am used to see films where Spain, specially through the zenit of its empire was criticized. We are bad, bad and bad. Ok, many of them are right. But we have to be also stupid?. The performances are terrible. I am not going to talk about Marlon Brando because many people have done it already. But from an historic point of view this is a crime. Who wrote this? Columbus was not an idealistic. Like any man of his time (Renaissance) fame and fortune were the great objects for a man's life. He wanted to be famous. For him this enterprise was bussiness. That is why he went to Portugal, because Portuguese were at the time the most advanced in nautical enterprises. But once rejected he went to Castilla. This was an enterprise made by Castilla not Spain. Aragon was more interested in the Mediterranea, that is why Fernado showed no interest. And of course, The Inquisition. No this is not a good film, it is a nightmare. And from the didactic point of view is a great mistake. Better read a book. from Prof. Antonio Dominguez or the History of Spian edited by Alfaguara. But do not spoil young brains with this |
