Season 1 • Episode 4
LatestAfter his proposal to sail west to the East Indies is rejected by Portugal, Columbus overcomes court intrigue in Spain to gain support for his expedition.
Acting
Gabriel Byrne's intense, almost unhinged Columbus.
Production
Genuinely impressive ship sequences for 1985 TV.
Costume
Velvet, ruffs, and filth — authentic period grime.
Gabriel Byrne
Christopher Columbus
Rossano Brazzi
Diego Ortiz De Vilhegas
Virna Lisi
Dona Moniz Perestrello
Oliver Reed
Martin Pinzon
Raf Vallone
Jose Vizinho
Max von Sydow
Re Giovanni del Portogallo
Eli Wallach
Padre Fernando De Talavera
Nicol Williamson
Re Ferdinando
Faye Dunaway
Regina Isabella di Spagna
Michel Auclair
Luis De Santangel
William Berger
Francisco De Bobadilla
Keith Buckley
De Torres
Anne Canovas
Beatriz Enriquez
Elpidia Carrillo
Coana
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot on location in Spain and Malta using full-scale replica ships that nearly sank during a storm sequence. The insurance claims were legendary.
Released the same year as the 500th anniversary celebrations, this miniseries quietly vanished as historical reevaluation of Columbus accelerated. Gabriel Byrne later called it 'complicated homework I did for money.'
IT
