George_Chabot's Full Review: 1492: Conquest of Paradise
For an American, knowledge of Christopher Columbus would seem to be obigatory, but it is shocking how little we Americans actually know about Columbus. This movie attempts to change that, giving us a realistic view of what it was like back in 1492.
Ridley Scott directed this ambitious film, staring Gerard Depardieu, as Christopher Columbus, and Sigourney Weaver as Queen Isabella. Armand Assante plays the queen's trusted advisor. Through the film we learn Columbus is a dreamer -- a man of ideas, and a man of action -- a doer; a man with two bastard sons and their live-in mother, who Columbus never bothers to marry. Columbus is also a social climber, coveting the title "Don", which indicates entry into the nobility, and hoping to become the hereditary administrator of any territories he may find.
The action occurs during time of the Spanish Inquisition, where people with new ideas are being garroted or burned at the stake in the name of God. We tend to forget this unpleasantness in twentieth century America where new ideas, if not always welcomed, are at least tolerated!
Columbus' plan is finally accepted by the queen and he sets off for what he thinks will be India. He instead strikes a new world, landing in the Caribbean, calling the island San Salvador, according to the religious penchant of the times.
Columbus begins well, but his administration proves a fiasco, both for himself and the native Americans, who are enslaved and forced to work to satisfy the Spanish lust for gold, which, apart from religion, seems to be their only abiding love. Columbus also is a nepotist, setting up his brothers and sons as officials in his government. Over the years, the Spaniards quickly destroy whatever is beautiful about the new world, replacing it with the vicious repressive religious culture of the Europeans.
Columbus is a failure in the eyes of the Europeans; he found too little gold. He, his brothers, and sons are ousted and replaced in the governorship of the new world. He lives to see the continent named after another, Amerigo Vespucci. But his final vindication is his memory, "I did it, you didn't," he tells Armand Assante. We have to agree. Whatever else he was or was not, Columbus did do it.
The sets, costuming, and photography are well done, giving it the look and feel of the 15th Century. Especially beautiful is the treatment of the New World, with its breathtaking unspoiled scenic beauty. The Indians are also well portrayed, by unknowns, but they are sure convincing, especially when they try to lay the smack down on the Euros! :> Supporting cast is well chosen, with Sigourney Weaver a standout as the Queen, who seems to have a secret crush on ol' Chris. Nice sound track by Vangelis.
I gave it three stars because, although it was a solid movie, it was a depressing subject overall, and the director could have treated it in a shorter, quicker moving story without sacrificing historical accuracy.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.