Friday, November 28, 2014

By the Gods!

Ulysses (Gabriele Antonini), Hercules (Steve Reeves) and Iole (Sylva Koscina) in HERCULES UNCHAINED

The PEPLUM trio!




PEPLUM GIF animation : GIANT OF METROPOLIS


Scene from GIANT OF METROPOLIS starring Gordon Mitchell and Bella Cortez


Wednesday, November 26, 2014

By the Gods!

Vittorio Gassman, as Sahak, is about to kill one of his opponents in BARABBAS

Sahak refuses to kill other men which results in tragedy. Vittorio was the most sympathetic character in this somewhat overblown epic. His character was a bit too Christ-like but every time he was on screen he eclipsed Anthony Quinn.

Colosseum to come alive again 2,000 years after the gladiators


They're cleaning up and reinforcing the Colosseum for cultural events to be held in and around the historic arena. The cost for the restoration is 25 million Euros.





Monday, November 24, 2014

By the Gods!

The loyalty of Cleopatra (Linda Cristal) and Mark Antony (Georges Marchal) is tested in LEGIONS OF THE NILE

Nice production and cast but like all Vittorio Cottafavi films the tone of the story shifts from super seriousness to goofy slapstick comedy. Someone wrote in a PEPLUM book that this was one of the best PEPLUM films ever made. Hmm...it's good but definitely not the greatest.


Movie Poster Mondays

British poster for SON OF SAMSON

In North America it was known as SON OF SAMSON. The original Italian title is MACISTE NELLA VALLE DEI RE or Maciste in the Valley of the Kings.


Friday, November 21, 2014

By the Gods!

Maciste (Mark Forest) shows his prowess as he transports a bunch of bad guys on a ladder in SON OF SAMSON

By the gods!


PEPLUM GIF animation : AVENGER OF THE SEVEN SEAS


Torture scene from AVENGER OF THE SEVEN SEAS starring Richard Harrison who's strung up upside down while Roldano Lupi interrogates him. Effective scene.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

By the Gods!

Chelo Alonso and Livio Lorenzon are partners in crime in GOLIATH AND THE BARBARIANS

That's Arturo Dominici in the background. The two actors were regulars in the genre and often co-starred with each other. Classic PEPLUM film I can watch over and over again.

Behind-the-Scenes

Jack Palance and Jeff Chandler at an event for their film SIGN OF THE PAGAN


Monday, November 17, 2014

By the Gods!

Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor) eavesdrop on Ivanhoe (Robert Taylor) in IVANHOE

Lush and colorful medieval MGM production. I enjoy it even if it's missing that spark to make it an all time classic.

Movie Poster Mondays

Italian poster of CONQUEROR OF MARACAIBO

This is one of many posters. The film is on Youtube in English. Lotsa Swashbuckling action.

Friday, November 14, 2014

By the Gods!

Solomon (Yul Brynner) welcomes Sheba (Gina Lollobrigida) to his kingdom in SOLOMON AND SHEBA

Splendid costumes!


PEPLUM GIF animation : CONQUEROR OF CORINTH


Whipping scene from CONQUEROR OF CORINTH starring Gianna Maria Canale and Geneviève Grad. One of the highlights of the film. Gianna looks great in that colour.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

By the Gods!

King Solomon (Gino Cervi) wants to cut a baby in half in order to settle a dispute between two women claiming to be its mother in THE QUEEN OF SHEBA

Gino gives great support to this film, which is one of my all time favourite PEPLUM films. Gino Leurini, who plays Solomon's son, is standing behind him. Directed by Pietro Francisci. Though the photo is in colour this film is in black and white.


Then & Now : Pietro Torrisi

Pietro in SEVEN REBEL GLADIATORS (1965) ; a recent photo of Pietro. He was born in January 1940.

Monday, November 10, 2014

By the Gods!

 Theodora (Gianna Maria Canale) is surrounded by spears in THEODORA - SLAVE EMPRESS

This is a real PEPLUM cliché which I'll profile with more photos one day. The film itself is totally inaccurate vis-à-vis historical facts but who cares since it's such a cool film.

Movie Poster Mondays

Belgian poster of BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE

Colorful artwork, which back then was enough to sell a movie.

Friday, November 7, 2014

By the Gods!

Goliath (Brad Harris) has been found in the bedroom of Princess Elea (Gloria Milland) in GOLIATH AGAINST THE GIANTS

I'll always say this: great production, non existing story. This was Gloria and Brad's first starring role in a PEPLUM film. I have to admit that their relationship in this film makes me giggle. It's hard to describe. One minute she wants to kill him, the next minute she's in love with Goliath, etc. But I love this film even if there's no story and it's a bit goofy.

Back next week!*

*I'm a little under the weather so if I'm not feeling too well by next week you'll know why I won't be posting. 

PEPLUM GIF animation : THE GIANT OF MARATHON


Action scene from the spectacular climax in THE GIANT OF MARATHON starring Steve Reeves.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

By the Gods!

Lucretia Borgia (Belinda Lee) enjoys a warm bath as Astorre (Arnoldo Foà) watches on in THE NIGHTS OF LUCRETIA BORGIA

Belinda Lee took a lot of baths in her PEPLUM films!


Behind-the-Scenes


Steve Reeves has fun with the camera equipment on the set of HERCULES (1958). At one point Steve was one of the most photographed man on earth.


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Monday, November 3, 2014

By the Gods!

Obelix (presumably Gérard Depardieu) climbs the Sphinx with disastrous results in ASTERIX & OBELIX : MISSION CLEOPATRA

I never understood why the producers didn't try to sell these films for the English (aka North American) market. They're big, cartoony and not very subtle, like so many films from Hollywood. Aha! The famous French actor is now a Russian. We live in a strange world!


Movie Poster Mondays

Italian poster of HERCULES AGAINST THE BARBARIANS

Great, action packed poster...maybe a bit too cartoony but it's vivid! That snake wants a bit of Herc. There is an issue with the title which is actually the title for the Gordon Scott epic SAMSON & THE 7 MIRACLES OF THE WORLD. I don't know why the title is different here but the rest (cast, crew...) are all from HERCULES AGAINST THE BARBARIANS. PEPLUM confusion.