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El Cid Custom Sword

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Memorabilia Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
El Cid Custom Sword
For years, the idea of a movie producer has always been that of the cigar smoking larger-than-life character with a massive desk, and the spirit of a gambler. He would put his own money, or those he charmed, into his films. Unfortunately, the days of this kind of powerful force of nature is gone. One of the greatest was Samuel Bronston, who created a series of epic historical spectaculars, like "King of Kings", "55 Days at Peking", and his most successful, "El Cid" (1961), the blockbuster epic about Spanish hero, Rodrigo Diaz. The likes of Martin Scorsese (who called it the great epic film of all time), and Steven Spielberg were such fans of this film that they spearheaded its renovation. One of the grand iconic images of the movie is El Cid's sword, known as "Tizona". The real El Cid's original sword can still be seen at the Army Museum in Madrid. It was faithfully reproduced for star Charlton Heston, and its unusual dramatic hilt and massive size was reproduced for years to come. One of producer Bronston's biggest investors was the celebrated Pierre du Pont who bankrolled many of his films with a guarantee of over $220 million dollars. After the massive critical and financial success of "El Cid", Bronston had an exact replica of the "Tizona" sword made for him. He spared no expense. it is exquisitely hand decorated with real gold foil and leaf, with a massive blade, with its own custom case with both Bronston's name, Du Pont's name and the title "El Cid", etched in gold. A rare one-of-a-kind treasured collectable. The case is 41.5"x10" sword is 37". Case shows some signs of wear, but sword and sheath are in perfect condition. Must be seen to be believed!