To say that El Cid is the most intelligent of the elephantine epics of the early '60s is to damn it with faint praise.

A beautifully filmed, often very exciting saga.

There are no wasted moments - it starts right into the action from the opening scene and, despite its three-hour running time, keeps up interest and suspense.

Starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren at their prime, Anthony Mann's grand historical epic is still much admired by viewers and directors.