El Cid

Skeptical, but nevertheless intrigued, I started watching this Amazon Exclusive mini-series of 5 episodes three days ago.

After the ending credits, I am not disappointed at all. Even if a few times the directors failed in keeping the momentum of the major plot scenes, El Cid represent a marvel for historical-thrillers. I really enjoyed watching it. The cast is good, the soundtrack is nice to hear, even if not memorable. The special effects, costumes and locations are a real pleasure to look at.

It would be 9 out of 10 stars for me, but I guess I can gift an extra star, not only because it's Christmas time, but because this was a good try in creating a tasty new historical series that deserves attention and a little kick for becoming even greater.

Firstly the review here saying that "as a historian" that this is "accurate" is just bizarre and laughable, I doubt that reviewer is a historian. Historians in Spain are aghast at the massive amount of inaccuracy in this little miniseries, and this series tanked in Spain. I'm not hung up on a few or even moderate amount of inaccuracies and anachronisms in period pieces, after all this is common from the Iliad to Shakespeare, but let's not say down is up, or white is black and say this is accurate when there are a huge number of major inaccuracies and anachronisms. The gothic architecture in this is just insanely out of period. El Cid (which by the way at the time only the Muslims called de Vivar "El Cid, which is a contraction of El/Al Sayyid (the Lord or "The Sir"). The Spaniards a the time, and now, called him El Campeador (an idiom for master of battlefield). And the recreation of the Panteon de los Reyes is NOT accurate and off by at least 250 years. Across the board the architecture is just way way off. Why does Zaragoza look like Istanbul? The relatively short period of Muslim dominance there the Muslims did not significantly alter the architecture. Viking raids in the 11th century Spain? Again way off in timing. The battles and battle tactics, even allowing for budget, are ridiculously inaccurate. OK beyond that the script dialogue and acting are at an extremely base level, rarely rising to mediocre. The tropes are utterly predictable. Compared to the genre it is attempting to insert itself in, including outright theft of several plotlines (Last Kingdom, Vikings, Musketeers) , it is at the bottom of the barrel. Lastly the elements of poltical correctness, absurdly anachronistic feminism, and a total omission of the issue of the downside of foreign domination by the Berber and Arab invaders, which included religion based democidal, genocidal acts, and a lot of broad violence agains the native Romano Christians doesn't go to accuracy. The invasion, occupation and subjugation of virtually 100% Christian lands in Iberia and the Christian Byzantine east were a significant driver of the crusades.

Firstly i find it funny that the latest reviewer - random 70778 - is critical of a historian who enjoyed the show. This reviewer makes out they know the historical inaccuracies in El Cid - while claiming that the Vikings never raided Spain in the 11th Century, when in fact Viking raids were a common occurrence in the 11th Century due to Spain being en route to Jerusalem - a route taken often by Olaf II of Norway. As for the Panteon - it was completed by Sancha after she was widowed - so it isn't as far off as this reviewer claims.

As for the program - it is good. It is more accurate, historically, than most historic dramas. It is well acted and keeps you interested throughout. It is not perfect but it is a far better offering than a lot produced lately. It reminds me of the quality and production values of Romulus.

I could both listen and read in the original language on subtitle track 23. This is a very well presented drama, nicely costumed and with some competent acting performances - well worth a second watch just to remember how to speak all those Vos words, for which modern Latins substitute almost exclusively 'Usted'. El Cid, as well as the battles focuses on the relationships between the knights and their monarchs, particularly the intrigues at court, in which women also have a their role. The drama's aims were probably a little too mighty for the amount of time and money they had at their disposal , but compared to 'Minions of Midas' or '30 Monedas' this one, in terms of production and entertainment value is probably the best TV drama of the three. The conclusion of Episode 5 indicates there is more to come. Looking forward to that.

I am a Spanish citizen who have deeply studied this critical time in histroy in Spain, during the transition of different empires and dominant religions. I can proudly say that the give a fairly impartial view on Islam, Christianity and how they lived back then. It is compeltely true that muslims were allowed to drink in Spain; Al-Andalus was part of the Islamic empire but they had their own interpretation of the Quran and they were very open minded about other religions. I am certainly happy this show made it to Amazon Prime so that the entire world can be educated on such an exciting time in history!