Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- grand
- somber
- disillusioned
- historical film night
- epic adventure marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as historically inaccurate and dramatically inert despite its handsome scale and visual ambition.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Columbus's expedition is contrasted with the disastrous effects of European conquest on indigenous inhabitants.
Ridley Scott presents ocean voyages, courts, settlements, and the New World with expansive period imagery.
Columbus's goal of discovery and civilization becomes entangled with control, exploitation, and brutality.
The story follows Christopher Columbus's voyage, political struggles, and historical legacy.
Films like 1492: Conquest of Paradise, and why
The Mission
historical adventure centered on European exploration and its consequences for indigenous peoples
Apocalypto
visually grand historical drama examining conquest, colonial power, and cultural collision
Lawrence of Arabia
epic biographical history film about ambition, exploration, and political patronage
The New World
historical adventure portraying European arrival in the Americas and resulting cultural violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Release Date
- 1992-08-09
- Runtime
- 154 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (953)
Cast
- Gérard Depardieu
- Armand Assante
- Sigourney Weaver
- Loren Dean
- Ángela Molina
- Fernando Rey
- Michael Wincott
- Kevin Dunn
- Tchéky Karyo
- Frank Langella
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 1492: Conquest of Paradise about?
- Ridley Scott’s sweeping portrait of Christopher Columbus turns an age-of-discovery voyage into a visually grand meditation on ambition, conquest, and colonial ruin.
- What is 1492: Conquest of Paradise like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 1492: Conquest of Paradise as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is 1492: Conquest of Paradise violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in 1492: Conquest of Paradise as brutal.
- What did critics think of 1492: Conquest of Paradise?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as historically inaccurate and dramatically inert despite its handsome scale and visual ambition.
- Which films are like 1492: Conquest of Paradise?
- Films with a similar feel include The Mission, Apocalypto, Lawrence of Arabia, and The New World.
- How long is 1492: Conquest of Paradise?
- 1492: Conquest of Paradise runs 154 minutes.
- Where can I watch 1492: Conquest of Paradise?
- In United States, 1492: Conquest of Paradise is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
