The Castilian (1963)

Set in 10th century Spain, the film follows the saga of Fernan Gonzalez (Espartaco Santoni) of Castile, a nobleman whose guerrilla warfare attempts to drive the Moors out of Spain. Inspired by the epic poem POEMA DE FERNAN GONZALEZ (author unknown) and directed by Javier Seto (BREAD, LOVE AND ANDALUSIA). A wannabe epic that attempts to recreate the success of EL CID (1961) without any success. It's a Spanish movie with some international names cast in supporting roles to help insure marketability outside Spain. The leads are Espartaco Santoni and Tere Velazquez and their conflicted romance is an imitation of the conflicted romance at the heart of EL CID but alas, they are no Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren as either actors or stars. The jumbled battle sequences are a mess. The U.S. version is about ten minutes shorter than the international cut. With Broderick Crawford, Cesar Romero, Alida Valli and Frankie Avalon as a balladeer who sings the narration for the film.