Christopher Columbus (miniseries)

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.

Christopher Columbus
Written byAdriano Bolzoni
Alberto Lattuada
Tullio Pinelli
Laurence Heath
Directed byAlberto Lattuada
StarringGabriel Byrne
Rossano Brazzi
Oliver Reed
Raf Vallone
Max von Sydow
Eli Wallach
Faye Dunaway
Music byRiz Ortolani
Country of originItaly
United States
France
West Germany
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersMalcolm Stuart
Ervin Zavada
ProducersSilvio Clementelli
Anna Maria Clementelli
CinematographyGianlorenzo Battaglia
Franco Di Giacomo
EditorRussell Lloyd
Running time360 minutes
Production companiesLorimar Productions
RAI-Televisione Italiana
Original release
Release7 March 1985 (1985-03-07) (Italy)
NetworkCBS
Release19 May 1985 (1985-05-19) (US)

Production

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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.[1]

Cast

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Reception

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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.[2]

Awards

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The series was nominated for two Emmy Awards, for best art direction and costume design for a miniseries.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ Shepard, Richard F. (19 May 1985). "Columbus Sails Again, on a Sea of International Funding". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. ^ O'Connor, John J. (19 May 1985). "Six-Hour 'Christopher Columbus' on CBS". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  3. ^ "1985 - 37th Emmy Awards | Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special - 1985". emmys.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  4. ^ "1985 - 37th Emmy Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series or a Special - 1985". emmys.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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