The Coming of Columbus is a 1912 American silent historical film produced by the Selig Polyscope Company and directed by Colin Campbell. The film dramatizes the life and voyages of Christopher Columbus and his discovery of the New World.[1]
| The Coming of Columbus | |
|---|---|
 1912 Promotional Poster | |
| Directed by | Colin Campbell |
| Written by | Charles E. Nixon |
| Produced by | William Nicholas Selig |
| Starring | Charles Clary; Kathlyn Williams; Hobart Bosworth; Tom Santschi |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | General Film Company |
Release date |
|
Running time | 3 reels (approximate) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Plot
editA dramatized account of Christopher Columbus's efforts to secure backing from European courts, his departure and trans-Atlantic voyage, and his arrival in the Americas.[2]
Production
editThe film was produced by Selig Polyscope Company, using significant resources for its time, and incorporating large-scale production. All of the filming was done on site at the Selig Studios in Chicago, Illinois.[2]
Release and Reception
editThe film was marketed as “A Historical Review of Incidents in the Life and Discoveries of Christopher Columbus — A Magnificent Visualization in 3 Reels.” in a print ad in the Evening Capitol.[2] According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the film was shown to Pope Pius X, to which he "drew from his Holiness special tributes of his pleasure and admiration for the product."[3]
Cast
edit- Marshall Stedman - King Ferdinand
- Kathlyn Williams – Queen Isabella
- Charles Clary – Christopher Columbus
- Frank Weed - Martin Pinzon
- Rex De Rosselli - Yanez
- William Stowell - Francisco De Boabadilla
Historical significance
editThe Coming of Columbus is notable as one of the early multi-reel American historical spectacles produced by an independent studio. The production reflects the ambitions of early American film companies to stage large-scale narratives, drawing on historical material and recreations of exploration.
Preservation status
editThere exists a print of the full film in the Library of Congress Paper Print Collection.[2]
References
edit- ↑ The Coming of Columbus (1912) | MUBI. Retrieved 2025-10-29 – via mubi.com.
- 1 2 3 4 The Coming of Columbus (Short 1912) - Plot - IMDb. Retrieved 2025-10-29 – via www.imdb.com.
- ↑ "THE COMING OF COLUMBUS". Sydney Morning Herald. 1912-12-12. p. 12. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
External links
edit- The Coming of Columbus on IMDb
- The Coming of Columbus on MUBI