Christopher Columbus (miniseries)

*Christopher Columbus*
Christopher Columbus
Written by	Adriano Bolzoni; Alberto Lattuada; Tullio Pinelli; Laurence Heath
Directed by	Alberto Lattuada
Starring	Gabriel Byrne; Rossano Brazzi; Oliver Reed; Raf Vallone; Max von Sydow; Eli Wallach; Faye Dunaway
Music by	Riz Ortolani
Country of origin	Italy; United States; France; West Germany
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Malcolm Stuart; Ervin Zavada
Producers	Silvio Clementelli; Anna Maria Clementelli
Cinematography	Gianlorenzo Battaglia; Franco Di Giacomo
Editor	Russell Lloyd
Running time	360 minutes
Production companies	Lorimar Productions; RAI-Televisione Italiana
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	7 March 1985 (Italy); 19 May 1985 (US)

Christopher Columbus is a television miniseries broadcast in Italy and the United States in 1985. In six hours, the series told the story of the life of Christopher Columbus, with Gabriel Byrne starring as the explorer.

Production[edit]

The series was a co-production between Radiotelevisione italiana and Lorimar Television, with other European partners. Columbus expert Paolo Emilio Taviani worked as a historical consultant. Shooting took place in Malta, Spain and the Dominican Republic over a period of 26 weeks, with six months of post-production in London. The New York Times reported the series' total cost as $15 million.^[1]

Cast[edit]

Gabriel Byrne as Christopher Columbus
Rossano Brazzi as Diogo Ortiz de Villegas
Virna Lisi as Dona Moniz Perestrello
Oliver Reed as Martin Pinzon
Raf Vallone as Joseph Vecinho
Max von Sydow as John II of Portugal
Eli Wallach as Hernando de Talavera
Nicol Williamson as Ferdinand II of Aragon
Faye Dunaway as Isabella I of Castile
Michel Auclair as Luis de Santángel
William Berger as Francisco de Bobadilla
Keith Buckley as De Torres
Mark Buffery as Bartholomew Columbus
Anne Canovas as Beatriz Enriquez
Elpidia Carrillo as Coana
Massimo Girotti as Duke of Medinaceli
Larry Lamb as Don Castillo
Stefano Madia as Federico
Audrey Matson as Dona Felipa Perestrello
Murray Melvin as Padre Linares
Jack Watson as Padre Marchena
Patrick Bauchau as Don Rodrigo
Salvatore Borgese as Juan
Scott Coffey as Vallejo
Cyrus Elias as Alaminos
Francesco Lattuada as De Triana
Iris Peynado as Selina
Erik Schumann as Benguela
Gregory Snegoff as Francisco Pinzon
Hal Yamanouchi as Guacanabo

Reception[edit]

John J. O'Connor, reviewing for The New York Times, praised the series' period look and Byrne's performance in the title role, though he felt that the first half was stronger dramatically than the second.^[2]

Awards[edit]

The series was nominated for two Emmy Awards, for best art direction and costume design for a miniseries.^[3]^[4]

References[edit]

^ Shepard, Richard F. (19 May 1985). "Columbus Sails Again, on a Sea of International Funding". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
^ O'Connor, John J. (19 May 1985). "Six-Hour 'Christopher Columbus' on CBS". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
^ "1985 - 37th Emmy Awards | Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special - 1985". emmys.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
^ "1985 - 37th Emmy Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series or a Special - 1985". emmys.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.

External links[edit]

Christopher Columbus at IMDb

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[1] Shepard, Richard F. (19 May 1985). "Columbus Sails Again, on a Sea of International Funding". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2024.

[2] O'Connor, John J. (19 May 1985). "Six-Hour 'Christopher Columbus' on CBS". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2024.

[3] "1985 - 37th Emmy Awards | Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special - 1985". emmys.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.

[4] "1985 - 37th Emmy Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series or a Special - 1985". emmys.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.

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