“The Story of Christopher Columbus” - Review of the 1948 short film

An exciting version of the famous Christopher Columbus story.

The film follows a man named Christopher Columbus as he tries to secure royal funds for his voyage.

It follows a boy named Christopher Columbus as he grows into manhood. At age ten, a mariner tells him that all who truly know the sea, believe the earth is round. This gives Columbus the idea that one can sail west to reach east.

As he grows into manhood, his idea begins to ferment until he contacts Toscanelli, another scholar who believes the earth is round. Toscanelli provides him with a map westward. Under this knowledge he goes to the king of Portugal for help, but he is rejected. So he goes to the court of Spain with his son Ferdinand to beseech the Catholic monarchs to fund his project. On the way, he faces opposition from various court figures. But in the end, he triumphs. After being denied and walking away from the court of Spain for demanding too high of a price, the messenger calls him back in, telling him that the Queen has consented to his project. He acquires three ships and crews to sail them. The narrator tells the audience that many stories have been told of the men who joined this daring expedition.

So they set sail but it isn’t long before trouble begins.The Pinta has lost its rudder. After many delays, they repair it and then continue their journey westward, but the crew becomes more uneasy. They beg Columbus to turn back, but he continues on. Just about when some of them are about to club Columbus and throw him overboard, twigs and leaves are spotted, sure signs that land is near. After some more days, they finally find land on the island of San Salvador. After going ashore, Columbus claims the land for Spain and names it San Salvador. They see the Indians and begin peacefully trading with him. The narrator tells us that Columbus made three more trips to America, but failed to find the riches expected. His enemies made sport of him and he died never knowing he discovered the new world.

The short is well acted with a commanding presence from the lead.