Christopher Columbus

The “Admiral of the Ocean Sea” who discovered the Americas, Christopher Columbus has not fared well on the big screen, although this 1949 British effort, which covers the difficulties Columbus encountered in persuading Spain's rulers Ferdinand and Isabella to finance his expedition, the tribulations of the voyage itself, and the vicissitudes of his later career, is certainly preferable to the two big-budget bombs Christopher Columbus—The Discovery and 1492: Conquest of Paradise released to celebrate the quincentenary of the event. But not by much: it's a creaky, slowly-paced, unimaginative costume drama, shot in unflattering black-and-white and invigorated only by Frederic March, who gives Columbus a single-minded impetuosity that might not make him likable but at least injects some intensity into the otherwise staid proceedings. Ultimately, the treatment isn't much more than what you'd expect of a well-intentioned children's book (and from a historical perspective it leaves a good deal to be desired), still the film has moments of rather hammy charm, and is significantly shorter than either of the bloated 1992 films. Sporting a good transfer, but no extras, this is a strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)