This is a rare photo of the two fighting together which, unfortunately, doesn't last really long in the actual film.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Photo of the Day
This is a rare photo of the two fighting together which, unfortunately, doesn't last really long in the actual film.
Movie Poster Mondays
Italian poster THOR & THE AMAZON WOMEN
The Italian title translates into THE GLADIATRIX which is sorta more fitting than the US title (isn't AMAZON WOMEN redundant? Aren't all Amazons women anyway?) but it's cool that there's a few THOR titled films from that era. That's Susy Andersen who wasn't in the other film made with same cast and crew called TAUR THE MIGHTY. Her presence easily elevates this film's quality over the other.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Photo of the Day
This scene is one of the few that's not in the original and sorta works. But in the end it makes little sense: do you really think Hades himself would bother with such a simple mortal? He would have sent a demon or something to do his bidding. But it's still sorta one of the few cool scenes in the remake.
File Under: Bizarre Translated PEPLUM Title
This is one of my pet peeves with Euro PEP films in that they were often not very creative with titles, translated or non-translated. I mean, DEATH IN THE ARENA can be the title for 2 dozen films which take place in the arena. There's just nothing distinctive about it. And COLOSSUS OF THE ARENA, even if it's better than the Belgium title, is the same thing: the Peter Lupus film, CHALLENGE OF THE GLADIATOR, could also be called COLOSSUS OF THE ARENA because Peter is a colossus and the story takes place in and around an arena. You know what I mean? Anyway, it's probably one of the reasons why the genre gets little respect, because titles are difficult to attach to a specific film or it can be attached to multiple films, except for HERCULES or something like that.
Before they were PEPLUM stars
Both would eventually appear in PEPLUM epics: Primo was Anteus in HERCULES UNCHAINED (1959, which was his last film) and Joe would star in several S&S films, including the infamous THOR/TAUR productions.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Photo of the Day
Mickey Hargitay, as Hercules, shows his strength in THE LOVES OF HERCULES (aka Hercules vs the Hydra)
Great photo. While his acting was questionable Mickey's displays of strength in this film are pretty good.
Will the real BACCHUS please stand up
The fat jolly one or the super handsome one?
Bacchus in FANTASIA
Pierre Brice as Dionysus (Bacchus) in THE BACCHANTES
Photo of the Day
Lucille Ball plays coy to John Agar in THE MAGIC CARPET
I've seen this film only once and it's hard to come by. Apparently, Lucille hated this role so much she thought of retiring. She was also pregnant during the shooting of this and as you watch you sorta realize this as they hide her behind pillows or always shoot her from above the waist, etc. It's sorta funny to watch...
Friday, May 11, 2012
HERCULES before HERCULES: Voyage to Italy
Before the release of HERCULES (1958) starring Steve Reeves the presence of the legendary Greek demi-God in movies was almost non-existant. Here's a scene from Rossellini's VOYAGE TO ITALY (1954; the film is also known under a myriad of alternate titles) starring Ingrid Bergman when she visits the National Museum of Archaeology in Naples where the huge statue of Hercules is on display.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Photo of the Day
Kelly Hu and Dwayne The Rock Johnson in a publicity shot from THE SCORPION KING
Did you know that there are 3, yes, 3 SCORPION KING films out there?
Upcoming projects: ROMEO & JULIET
A new version of Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET is in the works. Is this for TWILIGHT fans?
PEPLUM Book Corner: EPIC FILMS
This is a quick review of a book made up of a list of films filed under the "Epic" category, which includes Biblical films, pulpy Sword & Sandal mini-epics from the 1940s and early 1950s and of course Italian/European PEPLUM films. Unlike the recently reviewed CINEMA ITALIANO, this book is so much better in about every aspect: much more professional, serious and researched. It's still comes up short on a few important aspects but overall the author lists the cast, part of the crew, alternate titles, etc, much like IMDb and gives a quick synopsis and shares his views of the listed films.
His reviews are fun to read: even if I don't agree with all of them I still enjoyed reading them and looked forward to the next. It's always fun reading something from someone with a good knowledge of this subject I most enjoy, which is the direct opposite of CINEMA ITALIANO which was condescending and uninformed and I didn't even bother reading the entire book. For instance, his review of SAPPHO VENUS OF LESBOS, which is positive, makes many valid points on why it's such a fun film.
Another cool aspect of this book are the photos. I've seen a lot of photos on the internet and remarkably this book contains many photos I've never seen anywhere else. A definite plus.
As I've mentioned, the book comes up short on a few important aspects: it lists over 350 titles which is insufficient. In my collection I have over 600+ titles. Arf. Anyway, Mr Smith doesn't list CONAN THE BARBARIAN, its sequel or any Sword & Sorcery films from the 1980s up to today, which is a HUGE oversight. Some might not consider them Epic films but any story with sword fights taking place in Antiquity is, well, automatically a PEPLUM in my view and the CONAN films and the gazillion copies that came afterwards should be included. The author neglects to list Swashbucklers and a lot of Medieval titles as well. For example, one of the first films I looked up was MORGAN THE PIRATE starring Steve Reeves which to my surprised is not listed. Again, this is a huge oversight. It's one of Steve's best films and should be included in any such lists. Other example: EL CID starring Charlton Heston is included but SWORD OF EL CID starring Roland Carey is not. Hmm...both films are about the same subject so why not include the latter one? I have to admit that the book had many titles I wasn't aware of so I guess that somewhat compensated a bit.
I could enumerate a few mistakes as well but it wasn't too bad. The book claims it includes 355 titles but 20 of them are just listed with production information: title, crew and year of release. No review as the author probably didn't see them, which is not problem as at least he didn't neglect them but maybe reviews can be included in future editions? And with the current new wave of PEPLUM films like 300, CLASH OF THE TITANS remake or IMMORTALS, well, this book seriously needs to be updated.
The one thing I did find a bit annoying is the price. At $40 it's too much.
Overall, even if I know many titles are missing I still recommend EPIC FILMS. It's a fun book to peruse and with the cool photos it's thumbs up. All of the book's shortcomings can easily be rectified in a third edition.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Photo of the Day
Soap star Don Diamont is MARCO POLO
As anyone seen this? It's apparently quite awful. I need to see it then.
King David & Goliath's homentown?
"For the first time, archaeologists have delved into the lives of ancient Biblical kings - exploring a shrine that pre-dates Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem by three or four decades.
It's the first evidence of a Judaic religion in the area at the time of King David - with the inhabitants of the ruins observing a ban on pork and on 'graven images' of animals or humans."
Link
This was already reported last year but is now confirmed.
Today, does anyone care though? Arf.
Lou or Steve?
Is it me or does the artwork for THE ADVENTURES OF HERCULES make Lou Ferrigno look more like Steve Reeves than Lou?
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Photo of the Day
Kronos comes alive during the climax of WRATH OF THE TITANS
I haven't seen this film yet but this scene begs several questions...like if they make a third film what will Perseus battle during the climax? They've painted themselves in a corner here.
Super 8 PEPs
Monday, May 7, 2012
Photo of the Day
Howard Keel as Simon Peter in THE BIG FISHERMAN
One of those Biblical PEPs that's pretty much impossible to get. It is available online with a message at the beginning stating that this film is recommended by the National Education Association. No big orgy at the end of this film though.
Movie Poster Mondays
Italian poster for FURY OF THE PAGANS
WRESTLING compilation
Compilation of wrestling scenes from several PEPLUM films. This is the MOST requested compilation subject from my Youtube channel viewers or from this blog. I limited it to less than 15 minutes as Youtube is experiencing technical problems and is rejecting any video longer than 15 minutes. I'm so tired of Youtube. Oh well...enjoy this first collection of wrestling clips.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
PEPLUM Break
I'm back on May 7
While I'm away, enjoy this great Italian Swashbuckler starring Sylvia Lopez and Lex Barker. I uploaded the entire film at my With FIRE & SWORD channel.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Photo of the Day
Classic scene!
Upskirt: the Female edition
Sophia is showing a bit too much there...
Mylene Demongeot from GIANT OF MARATHON