Christopher Columbus: The Discovery

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery
Theatrical release poster by John Alvin
Directed by	John Glen
Produced by	Alexander Salkind Ilya Salkind
Screenplay by	John Briley Cary Bates Mario Puzo
Story by	Mario Puzo
Starring	Marlon Brando Tom Selleck Georges Corraface Rachel Ward Robert Davi Benicio del Toro
Music by	Cliff Eidelman
Cinematography	Alec Mills
Edited by	Matthew Glen
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release dates	21 August 1992
Running time	120 minutes
Country	United States United Kingdom Spain
Language	English
Budget	$45 million
Box office	$8,251,071

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery is a 1992 historical film directed by John Glen. It was the last project developed by the father and son production team of Alexander and Ilya Salkind (best known for the Superman films starring Christopher Reeve in the title role), and follows the events after the fall of Emirate of Granada (south of actual Spain) which led 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 mishaps, 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."

The film was released for the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage.

Plot

The titular Genoese navigator overcomes intrigue in the court of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain and gains financing for his expedition to the West Indies, which eventually leads to the discovery of the Americas.

Cast

• Marlon Brando received top billing for his supporting part as Tomás de Torquemada
• Tom Selleck as King Ferdinand V
• Georges Corraface as Christopher Columbus. He replaced Timothy Dalton, who was originally chosen to play the title role.
• Rachel Ward as Queen Isabella I. She replaced Isabella Rossellini, who was originally chosen to play the female lead.
• Robert Davi as Martín Pinzón
• Catherine Zeta-Jones as Beatriz Enriquez de Arana
• Oliver Cotton as Harana
• Benicio del Toro as Alvaro Harana
• Simon Dormandy as Bives
• Michael Gothard was cast as the Inquisitor's spy, but also as a potential replacement for the role of Tomás de Torquemada in case Brando did not show up for filming. Brando did indeed miss the first day of filming, and Gothard took over the role. However, Tom Selleck told the director that without Brando, he would quit the film. Word apparently got out, for Brando was on the set the next day, and assumed the role of Tomás de Torquemada, with Glen reshooting the scene.
• Branscombe Richmond as Indian Chieftain
• Christopher Chaplin as es

Production

Timothy Dalton and Isabella Rossellini, originally chosen to star in the picture, backed out when director George Pan Cosmatos was replaced by John Glen shortly before shooting began. Dalton later filed a suit against the producers for breach of contract and fraud. Glen had previously directed Dalton in both of his appearances as James Bond: The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.

Reception

The film was not a commercial success, debuting at #4, but ultimately bombed, grossing $8 million against its $45 million budget.

Critically, the film received mostly negative reviews, with a rotten 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 29 reviews. Brando's performance in particular was singled out as his "worst".

Awards

It won one Golden Raspberry Award Worst Supporting Actor – Tom Selleck, and was nominated for another five, including; Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actor – Marlon Brando, Worst New Star – Georges Corraface, Worst Screenplay – Mario Puzo and Worst Director – John Glen.

Home video

The film was released on VHS format from Warner Home Video. It has not been released on DVD in North America, but is available in other format regions on DVD.

See also

• 1492: Conquest of Paradise, another big budget, all-star epic about Columbus also released in 1992.
• Carry On Columbus – A comedy-film about Columbus released in 1992.
• The Magic Voyage, an animated film about Columbus also released in 1992.

External links

• Christopher Columbus: The Discovery at IMDb
• Christopher Columbus: The Discovery at Rotten Tomatoes
• Christopher Columbus: The Discovery at AllMovie