Main Cast: Marlon Brando, Tom Selleck, Georges Corraface, Rachel Ward, Robert Davi
Release Year: 1992
Country: US/ES/UK
Run Time: 120 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
John Glen directed this throwback to the costume dramas of the 1930s and 1940s, but without a smidgen of their energy and verve. George Corraface plays Christopher Columbus as a dynamic and muscular comic-book hero. He has a dream to set sail to find a new passageway to India, but he needs the backing of the Spanish government to do it. First, he must undergo a grilling by Tomas de Torquemada (Marlon Brando in, hands down, his worst performance). After passing muster with Torquemada, he gets the blessing of Queen Isabella (Rachel Ward) and King Ferdinand (Tom Selleck). Columbus then sets sail in a series of picture-postcard travelogue shots as he sails the ocean blue and discovers a new world of wonders -- particularly the Indian chief's well-endowed daughter. As a sop to revisionists, a rat is seen scampering down the plank as Columbus' vessel lands on "undiscovered" turf. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Catherine Zeta-Jones - Beatriz; Oliver Cotton - Harana; Benicio Del Toro - Alvaro; Mathieu Carrière - King John; Manuel de Blas - Vincent Pinzon; Nigel Terry - Roldan; Christopher Chaplin - Escobedo; Michael Gothard - Inquisitor's Spy; John Grillo - Chios Mapmaker; Michael Halphie - Chios Vendor; Steven Hartley - Terreros; Joseph Long - 1st Alguazil; Mark Long - Joseph; Branscombe Richmond - Indian Chieftain; Nicholas Selby - Monsignor Camos; Nigel Harrison - Gonzalo; Chris Hunter - Morales; Genevieve Allenbury - Harana's Wife; Richard Cubison - Isaac; Simon Dormandy - Bives; Michelle Guish; Caleb Lloyd - Diego--Age 8
Credit
Jose Maria Alarcon - Art Director, Terry Pritchard - Art Director, Bob Simmonds - Co-producer, John Bloomfield - Costume Designer, John Glen - Director, Cliff Eidelman - Composer (Music Score), Gil Parrondo - Production Designer, Alec Mills - Cinematographer, Gil Parrondo - Producer, Ilya Salkind - Producer, John Richardson - Special Effects Supervisor, John Briley - Screenwriter, Mario Puzo - Screenwriter
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Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, a 1992 film directed by James Bond alumnus John Glen, was the last project developed by the father-and-son production team of Alexander and Ilya Salkind. It follows the events leading up to and including the voyage of Columbus to the New World in 1492. Its behind-the-scenes history involved an elaborate series of financial mishandlings which later brought about an emotional falling-out between both Alexander and Ilya; indeed, as a frustrated Alexander would later lament, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times: "I know, after this, that I'll never make movies again." Timothy Dalton and Isabella Rossellini, originally set to star in the picture, backed out when director George Pan Cosmatos was replaced by John Glen shortly before shooting began.[1] Dalton later filed a suit against the producers for breach of contract and fraud.[2]
The film was released for the 500th anniversary of Columbus's voyage.
