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.
Contents
Production
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.
Cast
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
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.
Awards
The series was nominated for two Emmy Awards, for best art direction and costume design for a miniseries.