Same statue, different films: appeared in ESTHER AND THE KING (1960; with Sergio Fantoni); reappeared a couple of years later in HERCULES AGAINST THE MOON MEN (1964; with Jany Clair).
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Same statue, different films
Same statue, different films: appeared in ESTHER AND THE KING (1960; with Sergio Fantoni); reappeared a couple of years later in HERCULES AGAINST THE MOON MEN (1964; with Jany Clair).
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Photo of the Day
Even though the setting takes place in Antiquity, Ombretta's hairstyle is a dead giveaway of when this was actually filmed. Fun film, almost identical in tone and look to another Gordon Scott film, HERO OF BABYLON, which I prefer over this one.
Actor profile : Philippe Hersent
Continuing with profiling relatively unknown supporting actors of Italian/Euro PEPLUM films. Today it's Philippe Hersent, a French actor who appeared in an incredible number of PEPLUM films. When he was 20 years old he acted in GOLGOTHA (1932), a French Biblical film on the life of Jesus. It's almost impossible to find him in the film since it has a cast of thousands and even though he plays one of the apostles few characters are identified on screen. Anyway, I included a screenshot from it just for fun but I'm unsure. Fast forward 20 years and Philippe acted in SIGFRIDO, which was one of the many PEPLUM films he would appear in up to the mid-1960s.
An excellent actor who was very versatile and at time difficult to spot, with an almost chameleon-like manner, Philippe was always a great addition to any films of the genre.
Is this Philippe at the age of 20 in GOLGOTHA?
Philippe was Godfrey of Bouillon, one of the leaders of the First Crusades, in THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS (1958)
HERO OF ROME (aka The Colossus of Rome) was one of a couple of films Philippe made with Gordon Scott
Philippe in one of his last PEPLUM films was also one of the last films from the genre made in the 1960s, THREE SWORDS OF ROME
An excellent actor who was very versatile and at time difficult to spot, with an almost chameleon-like manner, Philippe was always a great addition to any films of the genre.
Philippe in SIGFRIDO (1957)
Philippe played Pontius Pilate in THE SWORD & THE CROSS (aka Marie Magdalene; 1958)
THE GIANT OF MARATHON (1959)
Philippe was Goliath's best friend, Androcles, in GOLIATH AND THE DRAGON (1960)
QUEEN OF THE TARTARS (1960)
Philippe in THE CONQUEST OF NORMANS (1962)
Philippe had a commanding role as Titus Flavius in 79 AD : THE DESTRUCTION OF HERCULANEUM (1962)
All of the following films were released in 1964:
Philippe was in the GIANTS OF ROME (with Wandisa Guida)
Philippe was Claudius, husband of Messalina (Lisa Gastoni), in THE LAST GLADIATOR
An almost unrecognizable Philippe in ROME VS ROME (aka War of the Zombies)
Philippe in another Gordon Scott film COROLIANUS : HERO WITHOUT A COUNTRY
Philippe co-starred with Dan Vadis in ZORIKAN
Previous Actor profiles:
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Photo of the Day
Mathos (Jacques Sernas) and Salammbo (Jeanne Valérie) are lovers in SALAMMBO
So much bronzer. Though Jacques' make-up a bit too obvious he was still commanding as Mathos in some scenes (when he wasn't overacting) but Jeanne was totally miscast as Salammbo who needed to be more slinky and tall even if the character was very young. Jeanne, with her plump chipmunk cheeks, pouting endlessly, all with tons o' bronzer, made her look at times like a caricature. An uneven film for sure: some truly amazing scenes amongt a lot of mess but I'm still a big fan of this. It's so over-the-top that I can't help but love it.
Vintage newspaper ad
THE AVENGER, the Steve Reeves Opus, advertised along with other films of the period. Cool stuff.
It's also known as WAR OF THE TROJANS, which is a better title than THE AVENGER, which sounds like a Chuck Norris film released by Cannon/Golan-Globus in the 1980s.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Photo of the Day
One of my issues with this film was the casting i.e. the family members do not look as if they're related to one another. Case in point Sophia and Christopher. I just don't see any family resemblance. And even less with their father played by Alec Guinness. Richard Harris was supposed to play Commodus but bailed out at the last minute. Harris wouldn't have fit in better than Plummer. Loren looks so Mediterranean but not Plummer. And to make matters worse, none of the actors had chemistry with each other. Oh well...
Movie Poster Mondays
US poster for CLEOPATRA (1917)
Pretty much to the point. It's almost comic book-like.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Photo of the Day
Millstone (Hercules in original version; Alan Steel) and Samson (Brad Harris) show what they're made of in SAMSON
Fun brawny action we don't really see anymore these days. I like the teaming of Steel and Harris. Harris is sometimes sorta uninspired, acting-wise, and Steel brought out the best out of him here.
Back on Monday!
Lobby cards set : DIANE
PEPLUM GIF animation : SLAVE OF CARTHAGE
Gianna Maria Canale gets the royal treatment in SLAVE OF CARTHAGE (aka The Sword and the Cross)
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Photo of the Day
An oddity in the PEPLUM universe: it was made and release in the 1930s, when few of them were made. Like many Cecil B DeMill films, it runs hot and cold. Some of it is pretty amazing (like this whipping scene...I'll make a GIF out of it) while other parts are pure cornball. The screenplay was based on a play by Wilson Barrett, who was profiled here at the blog: Wilson Barrett, major PEPLUM connection.
Then & Now - Rik Battaglia
Rik in CAESAR THE CONQUEROR; a very recent photo of Rik
Amazing that he's still alive!
Behind-the-Scenes
Audrey Hepburn says hello to Anita Ekberg dog while filming WAR & PEACE
Nice photo! I wonder if Anita and Audrey were friends.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Photo of the Day
Theda Bara in CLEOPATRA (1917)
This film was one of the most elaborate Hollywood films ever produced up to that time, particularly with its lavish sets and costumes. It's now a lost film with just brief segments from it remains. There are a lot of stunning photos from the production at least, like this one.
Upcoming project: EXODUS : GODS AND KINGS
Production stills from Ridley Scott's new epic EXODUS : GODS AND KINGS. Looks...well...it's a Ridley Scott film so they usually look good but his last films were all underwhelming or point blank terrible so I'll wait until this comes out. Many have already criticized the film for being too 'white'.
Joel Edgerton as Rhamses
Sigourney Weaver takes direction from Ridley Scott.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Photo of the Day
The elephants take a bath in HANNIBAL (1959)
Hopefully none of the elephants were hurt during the filming of this film. Most likely not. Films in the past were notoriously cruel to animals in general, certainly Italian productions. The elephants were shown here and there throughout the film but their presence was more circus-like than army-like.
Best PEPLUM Villains : HERCULES UNCHAINED
Continuing with the series of best PEPLUM villains here is HERCULES UNCHAINED which is a virtual cornucopia of bad folks. Unlike the first HERCULES film which was more like a twisted family drama in which Hercules was willing to fix or bring justice to those in need, the story in HERCULES UNCHAINED is more propelled by the actions of the plethora of villains than the good guys. Here's a quick overview:
Eteocles (Sergio Fantoni)
Eteocles is the crazed ruler who fights with his brother Polinices over who should reign in Thebes, once ruled over by their tragic father Oedipus. Wonderfully played by Sergio Fantoni, Eteocles agrees with Hercules over some peace agreement which is thwarted when Hercules falls prey to Queen Omphale. Fantoni gives the best performance is this colourful PEPLUM directed by Pietro Francisci.
Polinices (Mimmo Palmara)
Like Eteocles, Polinices is the son of Oedipus and he's shown as a merciless bad fella who wants to rule at any cost. Of all the villains in HERCULES UNCHAINED Polinices was probably the weakest which is a shame because his role culminated with a climax of a duel between brothers.
Omphale (Sylvia Lopez)
Even though she kills her lovers in some strange ritual to preserve their 'essence' for eternity, and her soldiers are cruel and vicious, Omphale is mostly portrayed as some sort of tragic character more than an all out villainess. Still there's no denying the statuesque Queen had deadly plans for Hercules so of course I included her on this list.
Amphiaraus (Daniele Vargas)
Amphiaraus is yet another villain who plots with Polinices over the control of Thebes. Once the tragic end of the two brothers takes place at the climax Amphiaraus tries, unsuccessfully, to overthrow Hercules and his forces.
Anteus (Primo Carnera)
Anteus is the son of a goddess and his powers are formidable. He almost knocks out Hercules until Hercules figures out, thanks to Ulysses, how to combat the mean giant.
Eteocles (Sergio Fantoni)
Eteocles is the crazed ruler who fights with his brother Polinices over who should reign in Thebes, once ruled over by their tragic father Oedipus. Wonderfully played by Sergio Fantoni, Eteocles agrees with Hercules over some peace agreement which is thwarted when Hercules falls prey to Queen Omphale. Fantoni gives the best performance is this colourful PEPLUM directed by Pietro Francisci.
Polinices (Mimmo Palmara)
Like Eteocles, Polinices is the son of Oedipus and he's shown as a merciless bad fella who wants to rule at any cost. Of all the villains in HERCULES UNCHAINED Polinices was probably the weakest which is a shame because his role culminated with a climax of a duel between brothers.
Omphale (Sylvia Lopez)
Even though she kills her lovers in some strange ritual to preserve their 'essence' for eternity, and her soldiers are cruel and vicious, Omphale is mostly portrayed as some sort of tragic character more than an all out villainess. Still there's no denying the statuesque Queen had deadly plans for Hercules so of course I included her on this list.
Amphiaraus (Daniele Vargas)
Amphiaraus is yet another villain who plots with Polinices over the control of Thebes. Once the tragic end of the two brothers takes place at the climax Amphiaraus tries, unsuccessfully, to overthrow Hercules and his forces.
Anteus (Primo Carnera)
Anteus is the son of a goddess and his powers are formidable. He almost knocks out Hercules until Hercules figures out, thanks to Ulysses, how to combat the mean giant.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Photo of the Day
Jean-Paul Belmondo and Claudia Cardinale in the sumptuous settings of CARTOUCHE
I wonder how non-Francophones pronounce the title. Anyway, fun, elaborate film with a downbeat ending. It's sorta forgotten or overlooked. Would it be more remembered if the ending had been a happy one?
Movie Poster Mondays
Spanish poster for CLASH OF THE TITANS
An outer space adventure? Ah! Nice nonetheless.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Photo of the Day
Eli Wallach plays The Shah of Khwarezm in GENGHIS KHAN (1965)
Eli passed away this past Tuesday. Eli didn't do many PEPLUM type films. In fact, I think this his only PEPLUM film. And I'm not definitely not a fan of it (I thought it was interminable) so I have to say that Eli's presence in the PEPLUM universe is minimal. Regardless, he was a great 'character' actor in other films. Loved him in almost everything he did even if the movie was terrible. He was unforgettable in THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, an 'unofficial PEPLUM film'. RIP, Tuco.
I'll be back soon enough!
I'll be back soon enough!