PEPLUM star Richard Harrison died at the age of 90 on September 18. He was one of a handful of actors who had major starring roles in the PEPLUM genre. Like so many other actors, Richard was an aspiring actor who also appeared in 'Physique' magazine of the 1950s. He was able to translate that experience in PEPLUM movies. He wasn't a professional bodybuilder or even an amateur one but he was fit and had a muscular and athletic built. Combined with his boy-next-door looks, and his stardom was guaranteed. He was living in Malibu and had to be rescued when the Palisades fires swept through several boroughs in L.A.. I liked him. He made the PEPLUM genre fun and unique with his work. Rest in peace!
THE INVINCIBLE GLADIATOR (1961)
Richard's first starring role is a fairly good one, with some great gladiatorial action. An entertaining and memorable first film. I wish there was a good print of this though.
Richard co-starred with Isabelle Corey and Edoardo Nevola (below)
AVENGER OF THE SEVEN SEAS (1962)
A stand-out WITH FIRE & SWORD movie co-starring Roldano Lupi. I wrote about this movie in the latest issue of BY THE GODS! Richard and man-eating plants (below).
GLADIATORS 7 (1962)
Richard was the lead actor in this fun PEPLUM movie. A lot of stand-out scenes in it, certainly the beginning (both photos below)
PERSEUS THE INVINCIBLE (1963)
PERSEUS THE INVINCIBLE (aka Medusa vs the Son of Hercules) is, IMO, Richard's best PEPLUM movie. There are two versions of this movie: the original Italian one and a Spanish cut. I like both but the Italian version is the best of the two. Only the Spanish version is in HD (screenshot directly below). It also stars Anna Ranalli as Andromeda. Almost everything works in this thrilling movie, including the unique Medusa. Richard is in top form.
Perseus (Harrison) in the valley of petrified men, victims of the Medusa.With Leo Anchoriz (above) and Anna Ranalli (below)
THE SARACENS (1963)Another entertaining movie with Richard as the hero fighting the Saracens. It may not be the biggest budgeted film he has ever made but the action delivers.
THE LAST GLADIATOR (1964)
The second best film Richard made. Almost as good as PERSEUS THE INVINCIBLE. He's a fighter from the British isles who inadvertently becomes a gladiator, who has the attention of Empress Messalina, wonderfully played by Lisa Gastoni.
TWO GLADIATORS (1964)
Richard's next movie was TWO GLADIATORS (1964), which is a Twin Production with REVOLT OF THE PRAETORIANS (1964). Another solid entertaining film.
Giuliano Gemma (above) and Mimmo Palmara (below) also star in this movie. One of my favourites!
This poster is great!
REVOLT OF THE PRAETORIANS (1964)
This Twin Production with TWO GLADIATORS is as good as the latter one. Very entertaining even if at times it veers into slapstick, certainly with Salvatore Furnari (below) as part of the cast.
The French poster for this movie is amazing. With Moira Orfei.
GIANTS OF ROME (1964)
Richard starred in GIANTS OF ROME (1964), another unique PEPLUM movie. Ettore Manni co-stars. Some have called it a PEPLUM version of GUNS OF NAVARONE.
The villain is played by Rinaldo Baldini, who's character is obsessed with Richard's character. With Ralph Hudson (below, horseback).
THREE SERGEANTS OF BENGAL (1964)
Richard made two South Asian adventure movies, after SANDOKAN THE GREAT (1963) started it all. I only have two terrible prints of this movie so not many image. This movie is loosely connected to SANDOKAN, with the same director and writer and actor Andrea Bosic, who basically played the same role he played in SANDOKAN THE GREAT.
Richard made five films in 1964! Yes, he was popular.
TEMPLE OF A THOUSAND LIGHTS (1965)
And lastly, Richard's last PEPLUM production was this movie, co-starring Wilbert Bradley. It's a fun movie. Well made by all means. Almost as good as SANDOKAN - PIRATE OF MALAYSIA (1964) with Steve Reeves. Like all of his previous films, the makers of the movie made sure to showcase Richard's good looks, which began with his physique modelling career.
A couple of examples of Richard's days as a physique model. There's much more.
