PEPLUM Break

I take a break roughly every two months so this is that time again.

(The break 3 weeks ago was an impromptu 'emergency' one. This is a regular break I take)

So stay tuned!

I'll leave you now with King Leonidas (Richard Egan) from THE 300 SPARTANS (1962), saying "From this wall, we do not retreat!"

Image of the week!

Hercules (Steve Reeves) can't save Iphitus (Mimmo Palmara) after being attacked by the Nemean Lion in HERCULES (1958)

At the movies...

 HERCULES (1958) playing at the Plaza in Toulouse, France.

Musings!

Frank Wolff, Michael Forest and Barboura Morris in ATLAS (1961)

I get emails and messages from people from all over the world. I recently discovered something interesting which someone mentioned somewhere and I got new info on a film I thought I knew everything about. I like this. I also got contacted by someone claiming several things and saying how much my blog and work inspired him. Above is a screenshot of ATLAS in 'HD.' I know, it's not a good image. It's difficult to say what's going on. The emails I got were difficult to read (English is not their first language?). Anyway, he told me he was working on a ton of stuff, a lot of which interest me. He then disappeared without a trace. The HD version of ATLAS is on Youtube. I won't link to it. Anyway, the widescreen is faux widescreen meaning the image was stretched. The original posters and credits claim the movie was shot in widescreen but no copies of it in widescreen has ever surfaced anywhere. 

Behind-the-Scenes

Sylva Koscina and Steve Reeves on the set of HERCULES (1958)

Clip of the week: MARS - GOD OF WAR (1962)

Roger Browne (Mars) vs evil Massimo Serato, who becomes a meal. 

Portraits

Anouk Aimée as the Queen in SODOM AND GOMORRAH (1962) 

Note: Anouk died recently so this is a little tribute to her.

SPFX DEPT.

Scenes from THE SON OF CAPTAIN BLOOD (1962)

In the movie, a tsunami hits a coastal Caribbean town after an earthquake. The shots of the wave hitting the town are pretty good but as it always the case in these wide shots, we don't see people. The earthquake comes out of nowhere.

Vintage Article

Old article on the HISTORY OF THE MUSCLE MOVIES. For once, Steve Reeves is not featured. But the article was republished with Steve Reeves for another print. 

Musings!

Scenes from THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF GUERRIN MESCHINO (1952)

This is one of the highlights of the movie, which I got in HD. As with all Pietro Francisci movies, it's very entertaining. This scene in particuliar is very reminiscent of other such scenes in Francisci's other films. Above is Tamara Lees as the sorceress Alcina. Below: Guerrin Moschino (Gino Leurini) enters her lair. Very memorable scene. It's a fun movie with a lot of derring-dos and pitfalls. Part of it reminds me of QUEEN OF SHEBA (1952) and ROLAND THE MIGHTY (1956). Now if only the English version would be available.

PEPLUM Movie Poster

Original Italian poster of THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF GUERRIN MESCHINO (1952)

The scene depicted in the poster is one of the highlights of the movie.

Image of the week!

Obro (Gordon Mitchell) and Princess Mecede (Bella Cortez) are surrounded in GIANT OF METROPOLIS (1961)

Lobby cards set: REVAK THE REBEL (1960)

Extensive French lobby cards set of REVAK THE REBEL starring Jack Palance and others. Big set, much bigger than usual. I like it but it's missing most of the actresses, which is odd. The one with the elephant is my favourite.

Musings!

Queen Gaia (Nadia Sanders) and Jason (Roland Carey) meet in THE GIANTS OF THESSALY (1960)

Jason ends up on an all-female society ruled by Queen Gaia, who explains her fate. Of course, there's something sinister underneath all of this to explain how an all female society survived. The entire scene is pretty entertaining with obvious nods to HERCULES (1958) and its Amazon scene. Are they comparable? No. The women on this island are witches while in HERCULES they were Amazon warriors. Gaia is an old woman who retains her youthful beauty by magic and potions from Apollo. According to prophecy, if Gaia is able to seduce Jason, she'll be immortal and live in eternal beauty. Of course, things do go according to plan. I like stuff like this. This film needs to be in HD already. 

Behind-the-Scenes

Steve Reeves and Mylène Demongeot on a break on the set of THE GIANT OF MARATHON (1959). They look a bit glum.

Clip of the week: THE THIEF OF BAGHDAD (1961)

 Karim (Steve Reeves) meets Kadeejah (Edy Vessel).

New PEPLUM Art!

With a few prompts, new PEPLUM art by AI. 

From MEN OF PULP @ X 

URSUS AGAINST THE TYRANTS OF TIME

HD Alert!

I received two Blu-ray/DVD sets from Artus Films. Remarkably enough, I still haven't watched them. Very busy. I will watch them today or later on this week.

The movie on the left is THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF GUERRIN MESCHINO (1952) directed by Pietro Francisci. I can't wait to watch it. I already have it but in so so quality. Francisci directed the classic HERCULES (1958). This set has two discs.

Of course, the movie on the right is PERSEUS THE INVINCIBLE (1963; aka Medusa against the Son of Hercules). I already mentioned this but this set (it also has two discs) has the Spanish version in HD and the original Italian version on DVD. I already have these prints in my collection but I wanted the physical discs. I hope the original Italian version will be released on Blu-ray. I like the Spanish version but it's more of a curio to me than anything else. It has different scenes and special effects and added wardrobe malfunctions (yes, I'm not kidding) but the original Italian one is the best.

These Artus Films releases come with amazing booklets. The GUERRIN MESCHINO booklet has 60 pages. And the PERSEUS booklet has 31 pages by Michel Eloy (who follows me on Facebook). If every PEPLUM movie would be released this way it would be amazing! The only downside o Artus Films releases: no English audio. I'll have more in the near future.

Then & Now: Edy Vessel

Edy in THE THIEF OF BAGHDAD (1962); a current photo of Edy (born Edoarda Vesselovsky). 

Musings!

Queen Leda (Gia Sandri) meets Antaeus (Giovanni Cianfriglia) in HERCULES THE AVENGER (1965)

I like this movie, even if contains numerous scenes from other movies, including HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMEN. My only issue (is it really an issue?) with the movie is the relationship between these two. Does the Queen like Antaeus aka Evil Hercules? It's hard to say. She seems constantly repulsed by him and yet keeps murderous Antaeus close to her, and doesn't refuse his amorous advances. She uses him or he uses her? It's a unique relationship in a PEPLUM movie, or any movie. There's a decent German copy of this film in near HD. Some scenes are stunning. Hopefully, a Blu-ray will be available soon.

PEPLUM Movie Poster

US one sheet of GLADIATOR II (2024) 

Interesting choice of artwork. 

Image of the week!

Hulina (Anita Ekberg) shows her special kind of love to Ogatai (Jack Palance) in THE MONGOLS (1961)

MUSCLES Inc

PEPLUM Star Ed Fury on the cover of MUSCLE POWER (April 1954). Ed's real name was Ed Holovchik.

Musings!

Mucius (Gordon Scott) gets new bandages for his wounded hand/arm in COLOSSUS OF ROME (1964; aka Hero of Rome)

I like this film. It's one solid movie starring Gordon Scott. The movie misses just one or two extra scenes to make it a Wow! but still, it's pretty good. It's directed by Giorgio Ferroni, who worked with Scott in other equally solid movies. The only decent copy out there is the German DVD with Spartacus in the title. It's good but not great. Hopefully, it's will be available soon in HD!

Behind-the-Scene

Tina Louise on the set of SAPPHO - THE VENUS OF LESBOS (1960)