This time an epic of sorts. Ridley Scott’s attempt to recount the events surrounding Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, his travels to the New World and what had transpired there. The film was released in 1992 to coincide with the 500th anniversary of his achievements, when coincidentally a handful of films that set themselves around his life were released. Most of which were critical and commercial failures – such cases were John Glen’s take on events, The Discovery, starring the legendary Marlon Brando and a more “comedic” take on the events with Carry on Columbus which proved truly dire. And now with Scott’s grand account of the story here, unfortunately nothing has improved over those films mentioned.
Christopher Columbus (played here by French star Gerard Depardieu) begins to draw up a plan to sail across to the New World but lacks enough resources and proper trust from the powers that be who see him as unreliable. After a chance meeting with shipowner Pinzon (played by Tcheky Karyo) who is known to a banker named Santangel, reveals that the Queen Isabella the 1st of Spain (played by Sigourney Weaver) is in debt to him and grants Columbus an audience with her, in which she agrees to fund his exhibition in order to bring back a considerable amount of gold. The voyage eventually proves successful and immediately on the land he begins a rapport with the local natives and eventually promises them that more will come to bring the message of God. Over time a settlement and a church are built there under his leadership but the relationship between the tribesmen and soldiers proves distrustful with the pursuit of gold and what follows is a storm that even Christopher Columbus himself can’t control, leading to his own reputation and life being put at stake.
Ridley Scott has clearly proven himself adept at grand scale storytelling and riveting character study and yet here the results seem completely flat. I have been trying to pinpoint what exactly was wrong with this film and it came down to a few factors. The first is that I think the subject matter itself is so big that the weight and scale of it proved that Scott couldn’t reign it in properly; it’s big and epic sure but the film is also dull and laboured, with it going on far too long. Secondly, had the film been given an engaging lead actor to guide us through the proceedings, which might have counteracted the first factor but Gerard Depardieu unfortunately gives a bland and not very interesting performance – which for this story is a huge problem. Third is the score. Vangelis worked with Ridley Scott again for this film and to say that his score is overblown is an understatement. There are scenes set in slow-motion, in which the score is drenched within, trying to create a profound atmosphere but just comes across as superficial and hard to take seriously.
Any attempt to delve into the inner turmoil of Columbus’ conflicted persona is at a loss for instead we are treated to a barrage of long drawn out scenes of important characters in rooms talking and talking and visual splendor that actually pad the film out longer than it needs to be. What should have been a fascinating account of discovery and imperialism, ended up being a beautifully shot but ultimately boring and ponderous film that once in a while, can reveal a breaktaking shot that reminds you what a brilliantly visual director Ridley Scott is, but as it is, it’s pretty bad. There is however an entertaining over-the-top performance from character actor Michael Wincott as a slimy and creepy fellow explorer and when any time he was on screen I was marginally entertained by how much he was relishing such a devious part – but sadly he isn’t on screen enough.
A sprawling account of Christopher Columbus and his time with the Americas in the New World made epic by Scott but also languorous and ponderous in equal measure. Backed by a bland performance by Gerard Depardieu and with a lack of insight into the man himself renders the film not worthy of praise except for the visuals.
2/5
Filmlife 