7/28/2019 The Busy Bee Vol 2 Issue 13

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The Busy BeeVol. 2, Issue 13===========================================================April 4, 2013

------- Lifestyle -------------------------------------------Film Critique: El Cid

by B. Thao

Lompoc, Calif. I am always fascinated with

classic movies. There is something about seeing

an intermission in a movie that makes me feel

special; as if the director cares about the entire

viewing experience. These movies were epics,

both in their story and the investment of

resources in their production. These movieswere not for just anybody; they were for the

movie goers who cherished great works of art.

Yes, there was excitement; there was danger;

there was romance. More importantly there was

great direction, great acting, and a great story:

the story of Rodrigo de Vivar, El Cid, as

portrayed by Charlton Heston in the 1961

Samuel Bronston Production.

The story is based upon actual events

which took place in Castille in the eleventhcentury. In a time when Moors and Christianswere fighting bloody wars for land and ideals,Rodrigo de Vivar chose a harder and morehonorable path and earned the title of El Cid. Hepardoned his enemies, received the enmity of hisking, and continued to fight against the kings

true enemies and protect all of Spain, Moors andChristian Spaniards alike, from the invadingforces of Northern Africa.

The movie was directed in such a manner

that the name sake was the starring role, withlittle to be overshadowed by any other character.I cannot fault Charlton Heston for hisoutstanding acting abilities, nor for the choice ofSophia Loren to play El Cids love interest. She is

a supporting character like any other, butportrayed in such a manner that El Cid isprovided a greater depth of character than asjust a proud knight. She is the reason that he canbe a believable husband, a believable man like

any other man. There were no computergraphics to detract from the actual hordes ofhorse and man in the battle scenes; majesticscenes with large backdrops of unspoiledcountry; magnificent sets of full scale castles andsiegecraft.

For the peculiarities of the movie, I onlyhave the following. The costume design appearsaccurate for the time period. In particular, thearmor is accurate in that very little plate armor isworn. The individual combat scenes appearaccurate on horseback and in battle, but theswordplay is anything but masterful; the strikesappear much too choreographed and the actorstoo worried about being struck. If there wasanything else that appeared out of place, Ihavent been able to find it yet. I find myself a

little biased, but I like this movie.

-------------------------- Bite-Sized Morsels ----------

Rallies Cancelled in the Wake of BlizzardIreland & Wales After a blizzard caused havocin Northern Ireland, the Easter Stages Rallywhich comprise round 2 of the Irish TarmacRally Championship. The blizzard causedmassive losses to the local farmers. Inconsideration of this, the event organizerscancelled the rally to allow continued aid andsupport for the community.

In the aftermath of this same front, theremaining ice and snow made the stages of the

North Wales Rally, Round 2 of the British RallyChampionship, unsafe for use. Event stewardshave rescheduled the rally to address thesesafety concerns.

------------------------------------- Classifieds ----------4-15 Steel Wheels. Stock for Kia Forte,5x114mm bolt pattern. $20 ea or $60 for all 4.Lompoc, CA. Email: furui_ga@yahoo.com