Movie Poster Mondays

French poster of NERO'S BIG WEEKEND (1956)

Imagine a Nero film and Brigitte Bardot is only featured in the poster art. There are different versions of posters but the emphasis was on Bardot. This film has a couple of different English titles, including NERO'S WEEKEND and NERO'S MISTRESS.

By the Gods!

The climax to HERCULES (1958) starring Steve Reeves

I hope you enjoyed this special 60th anniversary off the Italian release of HERCULES (1958). I could write about this film for a whole month but I won't. I'll just leave it with this classic shot of Reeves in action.

Different titles: HERCULES (1958)

Here are titles of opening credits from a couple of different sources of HERCULES (1958) .  I've updated the list with two new additions.

Original Italian version!

German title of HERCULES

International English title, taken from the French DVD. Unfortunately the French title wasn't included.

This is the French home video version. Still no 'official' French title though

The US Avco Embassy opening title with the animated constellation of stars

This is the Russian version, which translates as THE EXPLOITS OF HERCULES

By the Gods!

Jason (Fabrizio Mioni) returns to Jolco to reclaim his throne, with the help of Hercules (Steve Reeves), in HERCULES (1958)

This scene is the culmination of 'The Single Sandal' prophecy. This is probably my favourite part of the film. It's brilliantly executed by director Pietro Francisci. The prophecy is told at the beginning of the film (see clip below) and halfway through the story, we end up here, with Jason trying to prove he's the real ruler of Jolco, with Hercules shoving Jason to the side, showing Jason with one sandal to the King. It's a narrative within the main narrative. It propels the story in a cool, subtle and spine tingling way. It shows how the Gods have control over humans.

Steve Reeves as HERCULES - Feat of strength

Scene from Hercules starring Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Mimmo Palmara and others. Great scene. It establishes many things, including the prophecy of The Single Sandal.

Collectibles: 60th anniversary of HERCULES (1958)

Here's a small sample of HERCULES collectibles. If you know any other, please let me know (aside from movie posters).

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Here's the popular comic book version of the Steve Reeves classic. 

Artist: John Buscema

HERCULES LP

I have to get this...but then I don't have a record player. Hmm...

Here's a French 'Photo Roman':

HERCULES (1958)

Here are a couple of recent collectibles:

A company called Go Hero has created an elaborate series of collectible figures based on HERCULES (1958) starring Steve Reeves. Very cool stuff.

Check it out!

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Steve in HERCULES

by Monsters in Motion

by Figure Realm

By the Gods!

Hercules (Steve Reeves) 'motivating' the Argo crew to work harder. Great scene.

Behind-the-Scenes: 60th anniversary of HERCULES (1958)

There's a treasure throve of behind the scenes photos from HERCULES. Here's just a small sample.

With Gabriele Antonini and Steve Reeves

Steve Reeves and Sylva Koscina

Amazing behind the scenes photo with Fabrizio Mioni (Jason), a smoking Gianna Maria Canale (Antea, Queen of the Amazons) and a resting Steve Reeves

Sylva Koscina and a serious looking Steve Reeves

Three of my favourite folks: director Pietro Francisci, Steve Reeves and Sylva Koscina

Pietro Francisci directs a scene from HERCULES (1958) with Sylva Koscina and Steve Reeves lying down unconscious.

By the Gods!

Hercules (Steve Reeves) carries a few members of the Argo back to the ship in HERCULES (1958)

A small 'feat of strength' but a fun one nonetheless. The Amazons were about to kill the men so it's Hercules to the rescue. It wouldn't be too believable with anyone else but Steve.

Then & Now: 60th anniversary of HERCULES (1958)

Since nearly all the actors of the main cast of HERCULES (1958) are dead, doing a 'Then & Now' is sorta difficult. But there are still a few actors still with us.

Lidia Alfonsi played the Sybil in the classic film. This is the most recent photo of her.

Luciana Paluzzi played Iole's handmaiden. A recent photo her.

Top image: Fulvio Carrara and Willy Colombini as Castor and Pollux from HERCULES; Below: a recent photo of the two men

By the Gods!

Hercules (Steve Reeves) and Iole (Sylva Koscina) share family secrets in HERCULES (1958)

This week I'm celebrating the 60th anniversary of its original Italian release. Co-written and directed by Pietro Francisci, this colourful adventure was the 7th most popular film in Italy. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS was number 1 during that cycle. It was released in 1959 in the US and also became a huge hit. In fact, it was a hit all over the world. The influence of this film can be felt all the way to today, with the recent resurgence of films set in Antiquity, thanks to the success of GLADIATOR (2000). The Ridley Scott film was even pitched as something not seen since 'those Steve Reeves gladiator films.'

There are so many things great about it: cinematography, music, perfect cast, including Koscina who had success in Hollywood productions. It's also important to note that this was the first cinematic incarnation ever made of the famous Greek hero! But most of all, it introduced Steve Reeves to the world and action films weren't the same since.

Movie Poster Mondays: 60th anniversary of HERCULES (1958)

This week I'm celebrating the 60th anniversary of HERCULES (1958). Here is a small selection of the many colourful posters for this classic film. 

Original Italian poster of HERCULES (1958)

Second Italian poster

Third original Italian poster

US half sheet

Spanish poster

French poster

German poster

Norwegian poster

Thai poster