Christopher Columbus: The Discovery

Last updated

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery
Christopher columbus the discovery.jpg
Theatrical release poster by John Alvin
Directed by John Glen
Screenplay by John Briley
Cary Bates
Mario Puzo
Story byMario Puzo
Produced by Alexander Salkind
Ilya Salkind [1]
Starring
Cinematography Alec Mills
Edited byMatthew Glen
Music by Cliff Eidelman
Production
companies
Christopher Columbus Productions
Quinto Centenario
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release dates
21 August 1992 (United States)
11 September 1992 (United Kingdom)
18 September 1992 (Spain)
Running time
120 minutes
CountriesUnited States
United Kingdom
Spain
LanguageEnglish
Budget$45 million [2]
Box office$8.6 million (US/UK)

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery is a 1992 historical adventure film directed by John Glen. It was the last project developed by the father and son production team of Alexander and Ilya Salkind. The film follows events after the fall of the Emirate of Granada (an Arab principality which was located in the south of Spain), and leads up to the voyage of Columbus to the New World in 1492.

Contents

Its behind-the-scenes history involved an elaborate series of financial mishaps, which later brought about an emotional falling-out between Alexander and Ilya; as a frustrated Alexander would later lament in a November 1993 interview with the Los Angeles Times , "I know, after this, that I'll never make movies again." [3]

The film was released for the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage. [4] [5] The premiere took place at almost exactly the same time as 1492: Conquest of Paradise , which has often led to confusion between the two films.

Plot

The titular Genoese navigator overcomes intrigue in the court of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain and gains financing for his expedition to the West Indies, which eventually leads to the European discovery of the Americas.

Cast

Production

The initial director George P. Cosmatos left the production due to “creative differences,” [6] with Cosmatos later suing the producers for millions with the matter settled out-of-court. [7] Cosmatos was then replaced by John Glen shortly before shooting began. [7] At one point during the production, the $42 million budget was being slashed with the producers considering scrapping the theatrical approach in favor of a TV miniseries. However, this was alleviated when Ilya Salkind was able to secure a budget of $50 million. [7]

Casting

Marlon Brando received $5 million for the film, and his name remains in the credits despite his request that it be removed. [6] Following Cosmatos’ departure as director, actors Timothy Dalton and Isabella Rossellini soon followed suit with Dalton later filing a lawsuit against the producers for breach of contract and fraud, stating that they did not provide a bank guarantee for his $2.5 million salary. [8] [6] [7]

Reception

The film was not a commercial success, debuting at number 4 at the US box office [9] [10] and grossing $8.3 million in the United States and Canada. [11] It grossed $500,000 in the United Kingdom. [12]

The film received mostly negative reviews, [13] [14] with a rotten 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 29 reviews, with the website's critical consensus reading "Ironically, for a biopic about a voyage many associate with people accepting that the world is round, Christopher Columbus: The Discovery falls completely flat." [15] Brando's performance in particular was singled out as his "worst". [16]

Roger Ebert agreed with this sentiment while giving the movie one out of four stars, stating "This movie takes one of history's great stories and treats it in such a lackluster manner that Columbus's voyage seems as endless to us as it did to his crew." [17] It is also on his “Most Hated” list. [18]

Film historian Leonard Maltin declared the picture a "BOMB" (he gave 1492: Conquest of Paradise an only-slightly-better rating, and conveyed his sentiments with this variation on the popular rhyme: "In nineteen-hundred-and-ninety-two, Columbus sailed two screen boo-boos.")...adding that the movie was hardly ripe for re-discovery, and lamenting "Is this any way to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Europe's finding America?" [19]

Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade of "C" on scale of A+ to F. [20]

Lawsuits

Director Ridley Scott had considered making a Christopher Columbus movie for the Salkinds but instead opted to direct a rival project from producer Alain Goldman and written by Roselyne Bosch: 1492: Conquest of Paradise . [21] The Salkinds filed a lawsuit against Scott, alleging that the director stole ideas from their project. [21] $40 million in damages were sought, in addition to a ruling barring Scott from proceeding with the Goldman-backed film. [21] Throughout November 1990, various contemporary sources pointed out that the scripts for the two projects were rumored to be quite different: Scott’s “biopic” would survey twenty-three years of Columbus’s life, while Salkind’s “adventure-epic” would focus on the singular event of discovering the Americas in 1492. [21] Six months after filing the lawsuit against Scott, the Salkinds decided to abandon it. [21] Goldman and Salkind acknowledged that releasing two films on the same subject at approximately the same time could split audiences and box office returns, but with both “Columbus” pictures angling for a release date to coincide with the 500-year anniversary, the conflict seemed unavoidable. [21]

In September 1994, producer Ilya Salkind, along with Ilya's wife and the film's executive producer Jane Chaplin, sued Alexander Salkind, co-producer Bob Simmonds, and other creditors for $10 million. [6]

Awards

Tom Selleck won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor. Marlon Brando was also nominated for Worst Supporting Actor and the film received another four Golden Raspberry Award nominations including; Worst Picture, Worst Director – John Glen, Worst New Star – Georges Corraface and Worst Screenplay – Mario Puzo. [22] At the 1992 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, it received a nomination for Worst Picture.

Home media

The film was released on VHS and LaserDisc formats from Warner Home Video in 1993. It has not been released on DVD in North America, but is available in other format regions on DVD.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlon Brando</span> American actor (1924–2004)

Marlon Brando Jr. was an American actor and activist. Widely considered one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time, he received numerous accolades throughout his career, which spanned six decades, including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, one Cannes Film Festival Award, and three British Academy Film Awards. Brando is credited with being one of the first actors to bring the Stanislavski system of acting and method acting to mainstream audiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Columbus (filmmaker)</span> American filmmaker (born 1958)

Chris Joseph Columbus is an American filmmaker. Born in Spangler, Pennsylvania, Columbus studied film at Tisch School of the Arts where he developed an interest in filmmaking. After writing screenplays for several teen comedies in the mid-1980s, he made his directorial debut with a teen adventure, Adventures in Babysitting (1987). Columbus gained recognition soon after with the highly successful Christmas comedy Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).

<i>The Score</i> (2001 film) 2001 film by Frank Oz

The Score is a 2001 American heist film directed by Frank Oz, and starring Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett, and Marlon Brando in his final film role. It was the only time that Brando and De Niro appeared onscreen together. The screenplay was based on a story by Daniel E. Taylor and Kario Salem.

<i>Superman</i> (1978 film) 1978 film by Richard Donner

Superman is a 1978 superhero film based on the DC Comics superhero Superman, played by Christopher Reeve. It is the first of four installments in the Superman film series starring Reeve as Superman. The film was directed by Richard Donner based on a screenplay by Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton. In addition to Reeve, the film features an ensemble cast including Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Jeff East, Margot Kidder, Glenn Ford, Phyllis Thaxter, Jackie Cooper, Trevor Howard, Marc McClure, Terence Stamp, Valerie Perrine, Ned Beatty, Jack O'Halloran, Maria Schell, and Sarah Douglas. It depicts the origin of Superman, including his infancy as Kal-El of Krypton, son of Jor-El (Brando), and his youthful years in the rural town of Smallville. Disguised as reporter Clark Kent, he adopts a mild-mannered disposition in Metropolis and develops a romance with Lois Lane (Kidder) while battling the villainous Lex Luthor (Hackman).

<i>Superman IV: The Quest for Peace</i> 1987 superhero film directed by Sidney J. Furie

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace is a 1987 superhero film directed by Sidney J. Furie and written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal from a story by Christopher Reeve, Konner, and Rosenthal based on the DC Comics character Superman. The film stars Reeve, Gene Hackman, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure, Jon Cryer, Sam Wanamaker, Jim Broadbent, Mariel Hemingway, and Margot Kidder.

<i>1492: Conquest of Paradise</i> 1992 film directed by Ridley Scott

1492: Conquest of Paradise is a 1992 epic historical drama film directed and produced by Ridley Scott, written by Roselyne Bosch and starring Gérard Depardieu, Armand Assante, and Sigourney Weaver. It portrays a version of the travels to the New World by the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus and the effect this had on indigenous peoples.

<i>Superman II</i> 1980 superhero film directed by Richard Lester

Superman II is a 1980 superhero film directed by Richard Lester and written by Mario Puzo and David and Leslie Newman from a story by Puzo based on the DC Comics character Superman. It is the second installment in the Superman film series and a sequel to Superman (1978). A direct continuation of the first Superman, Christopher Reeve reprises his role as Superman. The returning cast includes Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, Marc McClure and Jack O'Halloran.

<i>A Dry White Season</i> 1989 film by Euzhan Palcy

A Dry White Season is a 1989 American drama film directed by Euzhan Palcy and starring Donald Sutherland, Jürgen Prochnow, Marlon Brando, Janet Suzman, Zakes Mokae and Susan Sarandon. It was written by Colin Welland and Palcy, based upon André Brink's novel A Dry White Season. Robert Bolt also contributed uncredited revisions of the screenplay. It is set in South Africa in 1976 and deals with the subject of apartheid. Brando was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Alexander Salkind was a Polish born-French film producer, the second of three generations of successful international producers.

<i>Santa Claus: The Movie</i> 1985 film by Jeannot Szwarc

Santa Claus: The Movie is a 1985 British-American Christmas film starring Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, and David Huddleston. It depicts the origin of Santa Claus, and his modern-day adventure to save one of his elves (Moore) who has been manipulated by an unscrupulous toy company executive (Lithgow). It was directed by Jeannot Szwarc and was the last major fantasy film produced by the Paris-based father-and-son production team of Alexander and Ilya Salkind.

Ilya Juan Salkind Domínguez, usually known as Ilya Salkind, is a Mexican film and television producer, known for his contributions to three of the four live-action Superman films of the 1970s and 1980s alongside his father, Alexander Salkind.

<i>The Freshman</i> (1990 film) 1990 film by Andrew Bergman

The Freshman is a 1990 American crime comedy film written and directed by Andrew Bergman, and starring Marlon Brando, Matthew Broderick, Bruno Kirby, Penelope Ann Miller, and Frank Whaley. The plot revolves around a young New York film student's entanglement in an illicit business of offering exotic and endangered animals as specialty food items, including his being tasked with delivering a Komodo dragon for this purpose. The film received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Mutiny on the Bounty</i> (1962 film) 1962 film by Carol Reed, Lewis Milestone

Mutiny on the Bounty is a 1962 American Technicolor epic historical drama film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, and Richard Harris. The screenplay was written by Charles Lederer, based on the novel Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. Bronisław Kaper composed the score.

<i>Carry On Columbus</i> 1992 British comedy film by Gerald Thomas

Carry On Columbus is a 1992 British comedy film, the 31st and final release in the Carry On film series (1958–1992). The film was a belated entry to the series, following 1978's Carry On Emmannuelle. It was produced to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas.

<i>Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman</i> 2006 film

Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman is a 2006 documentary film from executive producers Bryan Singer and Kevin Burns which details the history of the Superman franchise, from comic book, to television, to the big screen. The story of Superman is told through archival footage, as well as interviews with many of the actors, directors, and producers involved with the Superman media over the years. The closing credits feature outtakes from the Christopher Reeve Superman films, including an outtake of Marlon Brando improvising during the recitation of a poem in a scene deleted from the original version of Superman II.

<i>Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut</i> 2006 superhero film directed by Richard Donner

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut is a 2006 re-edited director's cut of the 1980 superhero film Superman II. It is a sequel to Richard Donner's 1978 film Superman, based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name, and stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, and Marlon Brando. This alternate cut was edited by Michael Thau and was overseen and completed by Donner himself. It features a significant amount of discarded footage, alternate takes, and story elements not featured in the theatrical version.

<i>My Father the Hero</i> (1994 film) 1994 French film

My Father the Hero is a 1994 French-American comedy-drama directed by Steve Miner and starring Gérard Depardieu and Katherine Heigl. It is an English-language remake of the 1991 French film Mon père, ce héros, which starred Depardieu in a similar role.

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His expeditions, sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, were the first European contact with the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. He has been represented in many fictional and semi-fictional works, including plays, operas, films and TV, as well as literary works.

Roselyne Bosch, also known as Rose Bosch is a French journalist, screenwriter and film director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lex Luthor (1978 film series character)</span> Villain in the film Superman (1978)

Lex Luthor is a supervillain portrayed by American-actor Gene Hackman in the Warner Bros. Superman film series produced by Ilya and Alexander Salkind, and is an adaption of the original DC Comics character, Lex Luthor. Luthor's girlfriend, film-original character Eve Teschmacher, was later adapted to comic books and other media.

References

  1. ↑ "Columbus: A Filmmaker's Odyssey". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  2. ↑ "EPIC '1492' FILM CAPTURES ENERGY OF EXPLORER'S TIMES BEDEVILED VISIONARY Series: DISCOVERING COLUMBUS: 1492 – Second of Three Parts". Morning Call. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  3. ↑ Brennan, Judy (24 November 1993). "A Family Feud in Wake of 'Columbus' : Movies: Ilya Salkind has sued Alexander, his father and producing partner, for breach of contract, fraud and racketeering". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  4. ↑ Willman, David (6 May 1992). "Christopher Columbus Sails Right Past Bankruptcy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  5. ↑ Mathews, Jack (15 May 1991). "Can Two Columbus Projects Stay Afloat?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Dupont, Joan (31 January 1992). "Action! ColumbusMovies TakeAim at Each Other". The New York Times . Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  8. ↑ Davidson, Casey (8 November 1991). "Dalton's Discovery". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  9. ↑ Fox, David J. (25 August 1992). "Weekend Box Office 'Unforgiven' at Top for Third Week". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  10. ↑ "Revenues of Summer Movies Never Quite Fired Up Box Office". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  11. ↑ Christopher Columbus: The Discovery at Box Office Mojo
  12. ↑ "Top 10 Rank films in UK 1992". Screen International . 11 April 1997. p. 16.
  13. ↑ Rainer, Peter (24 August 1992). "Columbus: Adrift at Sea With No Paddle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  14. ↑ Canby, Vincent (22 August 1992). "Review/Film; It's Goodbye, Columbus, As Torquemada Waves". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  15. ↑ "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992)". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  16. ↑ Brenner, Paul (n.d.). "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery". ArtistDirect.
  17. ↑ Ebert, Roger. "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery Movie Review (1992) - Roger Ebert". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  18. ↑ Ebert, Roger. "Ebert's Most Hated - Roger Ebert's Journal - Roger Ebert". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  19. ↑ Maltin's TV, Movie, & Video Guide
  20. ↑ "Cinemascore". Archived from the original on 20 December 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "1492: Conquest of Paradise". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  22. ↑ "'Bodyguard' tops Razzie noms". Variety . 15 February 1993. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.