In PEPLUM movies, there are two types of actors: action stars and actors. Action Stars didn't have to act much even if they could act. While Actors had the most lines and were able to give nuance performances. One is not better than the other. It's just how things work. Some beefy actor were limited in range and the Actors, like these two men, helped. But then there are movies in which Actors played Action Star...does it really work? Marchal has proven himself time and time again that he could be both. He's an excellent Actor but also pretty good as Action Star, as his movie ULYSSES AGAINST HERCULES (1962) and THEODORA SLAVE EMPRESS (1954) have shown. But Ettore?
Ettore starred in a good bunch of movies, mostly directed by Vittorio Cottafavi, like this movie or THE WARRIOR AND THE SLAVE GIRL (1958) or even HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMEN (1961), though the Action Star in that movie was Reg Park, Ettore did a lot too. But I see him more like an Actor than Action Star. He's not bad at all in these action roles, like this movie, but he's too polite and 'nice' to be an Action Star. Excellent actor? Yes. Action Star? Not really. His leading roles in PEPLUM movies would eventually disappear and he became a supporting actor.
