El Cid

[Drunk Monk]

This is a new production from Spain - season 1 is 5 hour long eps. El Cid is played by Denver of Money Heist. 

I know very little about El Cid but I know his sword. We carried a ‘Tizona’ at AFS, our own wonky version plus Oscar had one that’s akin to what is used in this show. And then we built one for Man at Arms. I even did some cutting with that but it didn’t make the episode (my lunge made the trailer). So I know the sword but not the story behind it beyond some old movies Ive forgotten and a few classic paintings. This is fiction obvs and I don’t think it’ll tell the whole story but I enjoyed the first ep. 

It’s shot on location of some Spanish castles. It catches medieval life well (I especially like a princess pooping scene - that seemed authentic). Plenty of court politics -  backstabbing medieval intrigues just like you’d expect from those days. The pooping keeps it real.

Then there are sword fights.

There’s some battlefield scenes that are decently bloody. There’s a wooden sword practice scene that was pretty good - a decently long complex bit of sword choreo that’s quite promising. Then there’s a scaffolding knife fight that’s surprisingly acrobatic. Looking forward to more of this.

Denver is ok. It’s different than his Money Heist character and he’s doing well so far. I’m down.

I’m only one ep deep so I’m withholding any recommendations until I see a few more. So far so good tho.