Christopher Columbus: The Discovery

[pro-bassoonist]

Set to be released in Germany on August 20th.

Variety:

Advance word around the industry may have been that "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" wasn't seaworthy, but then again, B.O. pundits laughed at Chris himself until he hit the Mother of All Wickets back in 1492. As it happens, John Glen's take on the Genovese explorer adds up to perfectly serviceable commercial entertainment--there are a few moments where Kirk Douglas or Charlton Heston would have felt right at home.

If public awareness of, and distrib confidence in, this Salkind production is indeed low, it may well sail out of theaters faster than it deserves to, leaving the upcoming competition to discover the promised wealth of lucrative territories. But viewers who do turn out will not be bored by this fast-paced historical fiction and, whatever its shortcomings, general audiences worldwide are bound to like George Corraface in the title role. Marlon Brando's inimitable presence adds an extra touch of class.

Though swordplay, sabotage, mutiny, sharks and topless island maidens are plot elements of the PG-13-rated tale, pic may not grab Nintendo-conditioned youngsters as much as it will a slightly older crowd.

Using his James Bond-honed sense of expediency, Glen tells the story with broad strokes. Columbus is quickly established as a lusty, playful and self-assured man-with-a-vision whose life, in time-honored biopic tradition, is an uninterrupted series of lively events.

Although script by John Briley, Cary Bates and Mario Puzo is certainly not devoid of cliches and corniness, good dialogue far outweighs the bad. The mix of accents is acceptable, there are few overt casting errors, and the three working ship replicas are put to excellent use. In short, "The Discovery" has sailed past most of the pitfalls that could have made it stodgy or laughable.

Leading man Corraface has the diction and charisma it takes to carry off his role. He is immensely likable--perhaps too much so for authenticity's sake. Although the cruel side of his personality is gradually revealed, thesp errs on the side of boyish charm. A member of Peter Brook's "Mahabharata" troupe and set for the lead in David Lean's ill-fated "Nostromo," Corraface should find attractive offers coming his way.

Brando makes a grand Grand Inquisitor. When he says, "Heresy by nature is insidious," one can't help but believe it. A combination of faith and ambition informs every move made by Torquemada, Columbus and Isabella.

Tom Selleck's wry turn as King Ferdinand is a pleasant surprise, although a wan Rachel Ward could use more backbone in her evangelical enthusiasm.

Scenes aboard the three replica ships communicate the rigors of life at sea. A false land sighting after long weeks afloat is so moving that it steals some of the thunder from the actual landing on the Bahamian island of San Salvador, which Columbus believed to be in the Indies. Script neglects to clarify that "Cipango" is an ancient term for Japan.

There is no question that the film concentrates more on Columbus than on the indigenous peoples he conquered, but pic does boast a better-than-comic-book sensitivity to the initially docile locals, who are eventually shown to have minds of their own.

The ecological impact of the invaders is succinctly and silently stated as a lone rat scampers off a ship.

Drawing upon an actual intersection of historical fact and dramatic symbolism , pic also highlights Spain's expulsion of the Jews, a boatload of whom sail into exile the very same day that the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria leave port. Brando's slyly insincere blessing to both expeditions is a telling moment.

Two "interview" sequences are standouts: that in which Columbus, using logic and nerve, convinces Torquemada that his navigational aspirations are not heretical, and the hopeful explorer's first audience with King Ferdinand in which Selleck's royal skepticism counters Corraface's determined enthusiasm. These are instances of verbal chess in which every move counts.

Columbus' explanation of his navigating theory using a large melon as the globe is fun and effective. One almost expects Corraface to burst into a Rodgers & Hammerstein-style song about his love of adventure and the high seas.

This and other peppy scenes nearly always taper off into forced back-slapping , cheery camaraderie and post-synched sounds of men's men, when a straight cut would have sufficed. While much of the language rings true, there are lines as dopey as, "He has the look of a man possessed."

Oliver Cotton is solid as Master at Arms Harana, but Benicio Del Torro as his errant son is a problem. His lines are among the most unpronounceable and his delivery does little to improve matters.

Robert Davi's urban menace translates well to the high seas, although his performance as captain of the Pinta is uneven. Nigel Terry is good as a murderous former convict. There's not enough time for Beatriz (Catherine Zeta Jones), Columbus' beloved, to be much more than too good to be true. Overall, supporting players have interesting faces and OK delivery.

In crossing the Atlantic from Spain to the Caribbean, the Special Ocean Voyages Unit, headed by Arthur Wooster, produced some fine images. Production design, especially aboard ship, is convincing. John Bloomfield's costumes suit the characters and Cliff Eidelman's score ranges from perfunctory to inspired.

Camera (Technicolor, Panavision), Alec Mills; editor, Matthew Glen; music, Cliff Eidelman; production design, Gil Parrondo; art direction, Terry Pritchard, Luis Koldo, Jose Maria Alarcon; costume design, John Bloomfield; sound (Dolby), Peter J. Devlin; ocean voyage unit director-camera, Arthur Wooster; assistant director , Brian Cook; casting, Michelle Guish. Reviewed at MGM screening room, Paris, Aug. 14, 1992. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 120 min.

Pro-B

[Gieferg]

I am not sure why this movie is so hated everywhere and by everyone, I enjoy it every time I see it...well, maybe not EVERY time because DVD which I've watched once was terrible PQ-wise and it was painful to watch, but you know what I mean.

PQ on this blu-ray may not be great, but sometimes is really nice, and it is MASSIVE improvement from DVD version. Original, english sound is only 2.0 but I can live with that.

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