1/03/2015

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992) - The ill-fated but entertaining ensemble adventure



Majestic German poster for John Glen's Christopher Columbus: The Discovery

QUICK REVIEW:

The film tells the story of Christopher Columbus' apparently troublesome process of raising support for his voyage of discovery to seek out China or India, but instead falling upon an entirely 'new' continent.

How much of the plot of Columbus is historically substantiated is hard to say, (at least for us who aren't experts on the history). But the idea to make the sailors horrified and everyone exceedingly God-fearing is basically sound and well thought up by screenwriters Mario Puzo (The Godfather (1972)), Cary Bates (RoboCop: Alpha Commando (1998-99)) and John Briley (Gandhi (1982)). Although the pervasive fear cannot be conveyed very detailed due to the quick-edited swashbuckler style chosen here.
Italian lead Georges Corraface (La Pasión Turca (1994)) does well, and so do Robert Davi (Showgirls (1995)) and Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront (1954)).
Christopher Columbus: The Discovery is directed by 5-times James Bond director John Glen (A View to a Kill (1985)). It's a historical romantic drama epic adventure. Not visually sumptuous, but exciting nonetheless.

Related review:

John GlenA View to a Kill (1985) or, Once a Gentleman, Always a Gentleman!


Marlon Brando and George Corraface in John Glen's Christopher Columbus: The Discovery



Watch the American trailer for the film here

Cost: 45 mil. $
Box office: 8.2 mil. $ (US only)
= Huge flop
[The film was a financial mess for its producers, father-son producer-team Alexander and Ilya Salkind, who had previously made the successful Superman movies. They broke up over the film, and Alexander Salkind is quoted saying, "I know, after this, that I'll never make movies again." The UK-US-Spanish co-production was derided and laughed at by the showbusiness community at large, and it even won Tom Selleck a Golden Raspberry Award as Worst Supporting Actor. Brando reportedly got 5 mil. $ for appearing in the film in a supporting part, which he also was Raspberry nominated for. It was also nominated as Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Screenwriter and Worst New Star. - And yet, it isn't bad at all!]

What do you think of Christopher Columbus: The Discovery?
Any insight stories about the production are welcomed
Other films that received undeserved mocking response?

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