Tom Selleck's 1992 historical epic, "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," is a prime example of a movie that went from promising to disastrous, leaving a trail of misfortune in its wake. This film, which aimed to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage, became a vortex of calamities, affecting not just its critical and commercial performance but also the careers of those involved. The story begins with the Salkind producing duo, Alexander and Ilya, who had previously made a name for themselves with "Superman." However, their attempt at a historical epic was a recipe for disaster, with a series of unfortunate events leading to its downfall.
One of the key issues with the film was the creative differences between the original director, George P. Cosmatos, and the Salkinds. Cosmatos left early, and the project was taken over by John Glen, who had previously worked on James Bond films. This change in direction didn't help, as the film's production was already in turmoil. The cast, including Marlon Brando, Timothy Dalton, and Isabella Rossellini, also faced challenges. Brando, in particular, was known for his demanding nature, and his performance in the film was widely criticized.
Selleck, who starred in the film, recalled the experience as a challenging one. He was initially excited to work with Brando, but the script was poor, and the production was plagued by issues. His daughter's illness added to his distress, and by the time filming was over, he wished he had stayed home. The film's dull and lackluster nature, combined with its historical inaccuracies and poor execution, resulted in a critical and commercial failure.
The film's budget was $40 million, but it only made $8.2 million at the box office. Critics were merciless, with Roger Ebert calling it a lackluster treatment of a great story. The film's Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 7% reflects its poor reception. Brando's performance, in particular, was lambasted, with Ebert claiming it was his worst in memory. The film's production was also marred by legal disputes, with the cast and crew filing lawsuits against the producers.
The impact of this film extended beyond its immediate failure. It caused a rift between the Salkind producing duo, with Alexander stating that he would never make movies again. It also led to a prolonged break for Tom Selleck, who took a year off after the film's release, only to return three years later. The film's legacy is one of a missed opportunity, a promising project that turned into a disaster, leaving a permanent blemish on the history of filmmaking.
In my opinion, the film's failure can be attributed to a combination of factors. Firstly, the creative differences between the original director and the producers led to a lack of vision and direction. Secondly, the cast, particularly Brando, was not up to the task, with their performances being widely criticized. Lastly, the film's historical inaccuracies and poor execution made it a dull and unengaging watch. The film's failure serves as a reminder that even the most promising projects can turn into disasters, and it is a cautionary tale for filmmakers and audiences alike.
