Watch 1492: Conquest of Paradise

1492: Conquest of Paradise is the 1992 dramatic film about Christopher Columbus' voyage to the Americas. The film was directed by Ridley Scott and features French actor Gerard Depardieu in the role of Columbus. Columbus (Depardieu) is set on discovering new lands but lacks the funds to do so. After securing the necessary money from Queen Isabella I of Spain (Sigourney Weaver), Columbus and his crew get ready to set sail. Coloumbus' excursion also comes with the stipulation that he must bring back riches from his voyage or face the queen's wrath. Columbus sets sail toward Asia with his three ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Columbus soon finds that his search for the new world will be far more arduous than he once anticipated. After several weeks with no land in sight, Columbus' crew becomes restless and ready to revolt. After the ship catches an errant wind, they are put on path to the new world. Columbus' ships arrive on the shores of what is South America. He befriends local tribes and collects gold to take back to the queen. Columbus journeys back home with several natives in tow; however, he leaves some of his men behind to help colonize the area. Upon his return, he finds that his crew has been slaughtered. This causes tension between his men and the natives, which vastly outnumber them. Columbus made other voyages to find other lands. His one time popularity in his homeland soon turns to scorn after his countrymen believe they were deceived about riches in the new world. Columbus is finally jailed for several years by Queen Isabella for not making good on the riches to be brought back. Columbus is finally released to go on a last journey under the condition that he never comes back to his homeland. Columbus is last shown documenting his life's work with his son Diego (Juan Diego Botto).