Tuesday, June 10, 2025

'Interesting' Mural Art in PEPLUM movies

Even if actors wore very little to the point of being almost nude, nudity or anything overtly sexual was taboo in movies of the past. Disregarding the many Wardrobe Malfunctions seen in those movies, intentional or not, anything to do with sex was censored. A way around for movie makers is to use background art or statues (another article) to avoid censors.

 

From HERCULES (1958). Audiences are watching Sylva Koscina but look at the mural behind her. What's going on there?
 



From the HD print, you can clearly see a woman facing the man and the placement of the hand during the climax with Steve Reeves in action!



From ANDROCLES AND THE LION (1953). The artwork is basically depicting a threesome.



 

In SODOM AND GOMORRAH (1962), the relief art behind Pier Angeli is 'interesting.' Phallic symbols and hands covering up areas.
 


 

A mural art from FURY OF HERCULES (1962). Hmm...


If you have any other examples, let me know.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the top 2 photos, the obscured figure is actually facing away from the man and it is her right arm that we see in the foreground. Check out 1:35:40 onwards for a better view of the mural towards the end of the film.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jF2JKePOUOg&pp=ygUNaGVyY3VsZXMgMTk1OA%3D%3D

PEPLUM TV said...

The woman is not facing away.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the HD print photo. Maybe it's his mother telling him his tunic is too short.