There are many elements of PEPLUM movies which automatically makes me love them and at the top of the list are the presence of the ever mystical High Priestess, High Priest, or Oracles. On this permanent page, I'll profile those that appeared in PEPLUM movies.
HERCULES UNCHAINED
Oedipus
Hercules, Iole and Ulysses run into a cave to get out of the rain and they come across a meeting. It's Oedipus and his son, Polyneices. Hercules gets involved with the meeting and says he'll fix the problem between quarrelling brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, and promises it to Oedipus, who is shown as some mystical person. It's a re-enactment of the Sybil scene in HERCULES (1958). The entire scene has a very mystical quality to it.
Ulysses (Gabriele Antonini), Iole (Sylva Koscina) and Hercules (Steve Reeves)
Oedipus (Cesare Fantoni)
Polyneices (Mimmo Palmara)
Oedipus explains the situation between his quarrelling sons and Hercules claims he'll fix the problem.
We see the Gods calling to Oedipus. Below: Oedipus disappears into a gateway to the other side while Hercules watches on.
TRIUMPH OF MACISTE
Yalis - The Oracle
Yalis, played by Carla Calò, is one of my favourites. TRIUMPH OF MACISTE (1961) is also one of my favourites PEPLUM. It has every element a PEPLUM needs to have, including some fun mysticism.
The film starts in Yalis' sacred cave.
Antea (Cathia Caro) seeks Yalis' guidance and help. Yalis gives Antea a special potion to help Maciste out of the evil Queen's control.
Just before the explosive climax, Yalis meets Maciste (Kirk Morris) and tells him how to defeats the Evil Queen.
