There are two HUGE problems with making a film about Christopher Columbus. First, there is almost nothing known about this man. No one is sure whether he came from Genoa or not, what he looked like or much about his life and family. Trust me on this.... I taught world and US history and know that most of the 'facts' we know about him are actually made up...and aren't facts at all.
Because of this, there really isn't much for screen writers to go on....and, frankly, they either need to make a SHORT film or just make stuff up! Second, in this age of political correctness and anti-political correctness, a film about this recently divisive figure will be a VERY tough sell. In other words, it's pretty much guaranteed some group of people will be offended by the end result...which, incidentally, did happen when "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" came out in 1992.
My main problem with the film is that it's pretty boring stuff. Part of this is because the filmmakers chose to throw in some stuff about Torquemada and the Inquisition and it just didn't seem to fit the story. And, while I don't agree that Marlon Brando was awful as Torquemada, he wasn't particularly interesting and the studio sure spent their money unwisely by paying him an ungodly fee for a TINY role. Overall, a movie that is just okay...not terrible but not especially enjoyable.
Because of this, there really isn't much for screen writers to go on....and, frankly, they either need to make a SHORT film or just make stuff up! Second, in this age of political correctness and anti-political correctness, a film about this recently divisive figure will be a VERY tough sell. In other words, it's pretty much guaranteed some group of people will be offended by the end result...which, incidentally, did happen when "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" came out in 1992.
My main problem with the film is that it's pretty boring stuff. Part of this is because the filmmakers chose to throw in some stuff about Torquemada and the Inquisition and it just didn't seem to fit the story. And, while I don't agree that Marlon Brando was awful as Torquemada, he wasn't particularly interesting and the studio sure spent their money unwisely by paying him an ungodly fee for a TINY role. Overall, a movie that is just okay...not terrible but not especially enjoyable.