1492: Conquest of Paradise

Story

This, the second of 1992's 500th anniversary Christopher Columbus films (the first being Warner Bros. Christopher Columbus: The Discovery), adheres to the historical facts of Columbus's (Gerard Depardieu) possessed quest to discover the New World, and his solicitation of Queen Isabella (Sigourney Weaver) to gain the necessary funding. Despite travelogue-quality footage replete with beautiful scenery of Caribbean islands and a massive cast, this film tends to plod along with too predictable a plot and a mis-cast Columbus. Depardieu -- a very capable French actor speaking English and playing an Italian -- becomes perhaps the movie's bright spot (even if at his own expense) as he laughably struggles with line after line. Michael Wincott puts forth a worthy performance as a nasty Spanish nobleman whose mistreatment of the natives results in an open rebellion.

-- All Movie Guide

Movie Details

Cast:

Armand Assante
Loren Dean
Gerard Depardieu
Kevin Dunn
Tcheky Karyo
Frank Langella
Sigourney Weaver
Michael Wincott
Fernando Rey
Juan Diego Botto
Mark Margolis
Jack Taylor
Jose Ferrer

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 142 min

DVD International release dates:
North America: May 14, 02