* Charlton Heston as El Cid
* Sophia Loren as Jimena
* John Derek as Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid) in his youth
* Herbert Lom as King Alfonso VI
* Raf Vallone as Ramon Berenguer, Count of Barcelona
* Gabriele Ferzetti as King Sancho II
* Giacomo Rossi Stuart as the Moorish King, Yusuf
* Geneviève Page as Princess Ximena
* Fernando Rey as Garcia Ordonez, King Alfonso's brother
* Serge Reggiani as King Sancho
* José Nieto as Sancho Diaz, El Cid's father
* Manuel Alexandre as Don Diego, El Cid's uncle
This cast is a mix of international stars and Italian actors, reflecting the film's production and its appeal to a global audience.