Tom Selleck's '90s historical movie with Marlon Brando, "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," was a complete disaster. This film, which aimed to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage to the Americas, turned out to be a vortex of misfortune, leaving a permanent blemish on the history of filmmaking. The movie was plagued by a series of unfortunate events, from creative differences to lawsuits and a disastrous production. In this article, I will delve into the reasons why this movie was such a failure, and explore the broader implications of its failure. I will also offer my personal perspective on the film and its impact on the careers of the involved actors and producers.
The Genesis of a Disaster
The story of "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" begins with Alexander and Ilya Salkind, the father-son producing team behind the iconic "Superman" franchise. However, the production of this film was far from smooth. The original director, George P. Cosmatos, left early due to creative differences with the Salkinds, and was replaced by John Glen, who had previously worked on the James Bond films. This change in direction did not help the film's fate.
A Dull Affair
The film stars George Corraface as Christopher Columbus, who seeks funding for his voyage from Europe to India. He encounters Marlon Brando's Tomas de Torquemeda, the man responsible for leading the Spanish Inquisition. Columbus is grilled by the formidable Grand Inquisitor, but manages to secure funding from King Ferdinand (Tom Selleck) and Queen Isabella (Rachel Ward). The voyage itself is portrayed as a dull affair, with hints of how Columbus brought disease to the New World, some mutiny, and a topless Native American girl. It's a far cry from the epic adventure that the title suggests.
A Series of Misfortunes
The production of "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" was plagued by a series of misfortunes. Timothy Dalton, who played a supporting role, and Isabella Rossellini, who starred alongside Brando, both filed lawsuits against the Salkinds. Brando himself asked for his name to be removed from the film after the producers refused to include rewrites highlighting Columbus' culpability for the genocide of Native Americans. Despite this, his name remained in the credits.
A Box Office Flop
The film was a commercial failure, making just $8.2 million on a $40 million budget. This was a significant loss for the Salkinds, who had high hopes for the project. Critics were merciless, with Roger Ebert claiming that the 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." The Rotten Tomatoes critic score is a paltry 7%, indicating the general lack of appreciation for the film.
Personal Perspective
As an expert commentator, I find the story of "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" particularly fascinating. It raises a deeper question about the challenges of adapting historical events for the big screen. The film's failure suggests that historical dramas require a delicate balance between accuracy and entertainment value. In my opinion, the Salkinds' attempt to commemorate Columbus' voyage fell short of this balance, resulting in a dull and controversial film.
Broader Implications
The failure of "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" has broader implications for the film industry. It serves as a reminder that even the most talented individuals can produce a disastrous film. The film's production issues, from creative differences to lawsuits, highlight the challenges of collaborative filmmaking. It also underscores the importance of accurate historical representation in films, as the film's controversial handling of Columbus' role in the genocide of Native Americans caused significant backlash.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" was a disaster in every sense of the word. Its failure serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers, reminding them of the challenges of adapting historical events for the big screen. The film's production issues and controversial handling of historical events highlight the delicate balance between accuracy and entertainment value. As an expert commentator, I find the story of this film particularly fascinating, and I hope that it serves as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful and accurate historical representation in films.
