El Cid

If you want action that respects the story underneath it, El Cid is available in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the UK on BBC iPlayer right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 303 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. No filler scenes, no spinning wheels between the action. Available now on Amazon Prime Video — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, El Cid is worth clearing space for. El Cid understands that stakes only matter if you care who is at risk. Epic film of the legendary Spanish hero, Rodrigo Diaz ("El Cid" to his followers), who, without compromising his strict sense of honour, still succeeds in taking the initiative and driving the Moors from Spain. Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1961. The action sequences are expensive-looking without drawing attention to their own budget — they serve the story rather than interrupting it. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

The genre has a long history of front-loading its best moments — El Cid is not one of those. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Charlton Heston anchors the chaos with real screen presence. Every set piece here is doing more than one job at once.