Christopher Columbus: The Discovery

For the Columbus discovery of the Americas, see Voyages of Christopher Columbus.

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery
Theatrical release poster by John Alvin
Directed byJohn Glen
Screenplay byJohn Briley
Cary Bates
Mario Puzo
Story byMario Puzo
Produced byAlexander Salkind
Ilya Salkind[1]
Starring
CinematographyAlec Mills
Edited byMatthew Glen
Music byCliff Eidelman
Production
companies
Christopher Columbus Productions
Quinto Centenario
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release dates
  • 21 August 1992 (1992-08-21) (U.S.)
  • 11 September 1992 (1992-09-11) (UK)
  • 18 September 1992 (1992-09-18) (Spain)
Running time
120 minutes
CountriesUnited States
United Kingdom
Spain
LanguageEnglish
Budget$45 million[2]
Box office$8.6 million (US/UK)

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery is a 1992 historical adventure film directed by John Glen. It was the last project developed by the father and son production team of Alexander and Ilya Salkind. The film follows events after the fall of the Emirate of Granada (an Arab principality which was located in the south of Spain), and leads up to the voyage of Columbus to the New World in 1492.

Its behind-the-scenes history involved an elaborate series of financial mishaps, which later brought about an emotional falling-out between Alexander and Ilya; as a frustrated Alexander would later lament in a November 1993 interview with the Los Angeles Times, "I know, after this, that I'll never make movies again."[3]

The film was released for the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage.[4][5] The premiere took place at almost exactly the same time as 1492: Conquest of Paradise, which has often led to confusion between the two films.

  1. ^ "Columbus: A Filmmaker's Odyssey". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  2. ^ "EPIC '1492' FILM CAPTURES ENERGY OF EXPLORER'S TIMES BEDEVILED VISIONARY Series: DISCOVERING COLUMBUS: 1492 – Second of Three Parts". Morning Call. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  3. ^ Brennan, Judy (24 November 1993). "A Family Feud in Wake of 'Columbus' : Movies: Ilya Salkind has sued Alexander, his father and producing partner, for breach of contract, fraud and racketeering". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  4. ^ Willman, David (6 May 1992). "Christopher Columbus Sails Right Past Bankruptcy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  5. ^ Mathews, Jack (15 May 1991). "Can Two Columbus Projects Stay Afloat?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 October 2010.