"El Cid"

[Peter Moretti]

I am watching "El Cid" with Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren, cinematography by Robert Krasker.

I am totally impressed by the framing and camera movement. The 2.35 aspect ratio is well utilized by having meaningful action or beautiful imagery fill the edges of the frame. Additionally, there is great use of depth, so what's in the b.g. adds to the framing; this makes the deep focus very appealing.

There is also a certain theatrical expertise in the lighting and staging which adds to the story and guides your eye without having to rack focus or move the camera.

But when the camera does move, it feels well motivated. An interesting technique used is dollying in and then backwards. I'm not sure why this was done, but it seems to work.

Overall, I am just very impressed with the look of this film!

 

[Andy White]

One of my favourite movies. The score is masterful too. Heavily affected me in a visual sense when I was a kid in the early 70's and still stands as a classic.

Interesting story that's El Cid related. I was once Directing a TVC (S16mm) that had some period elements (monks in a chamber and medieval actors on a balcony) and I mentioned going for an El-Cid feel to my DP. He smiled and knew what I meant and we laughed that we didn't have the budget, time or Ana lenses - but he'd try his best for the flavour. However, some of the junior crew members just looked confused and one drew a blank completely.

One of the PA's googled it and brought up some images and showed it to the younger guys - one of which turned and said 'Ohh - an old film... I don't watch any of those - they're boring'... (!)

I shared a few looks of amazement with my DP we pressed on. After we wrapped I pulled the AC aside and asked him about his comment, he basically said that any movie pre 80's he was unlikely to watch as the cameras didn't move much and he felt everything was 'stagey'. Needless to say, I was pretty amazed. But since then I've come across others that 'don't watch B&W movies' or 'Never watched a western as they're all the same'... scary really

Anyway, back to El Cid. Just love it - if you like the style of that, try The Fall of the Roman Empire. Not as great a movie as E Cid (IMO), but full of great true widescreen photography. There's a Blu-Ray edition of it as with the 'Cid Also Directed by Anthony Mann and lensed by Robert Krasker.

 

[Robert Hart]

It is a small matter of sentimental pride that Robert Krasker came from over here in the West ( Perth. Western Australia ).

 

[Rudi Herbert]

Yep, awesome visuals, one of the first movies that made me think about cinematography, even though at that age I wouldn't call it that. Really masterful use of the widescreen, should be required viewing for modern DPs.