PEPLUM Movie Poster

Half of a British quad of MACISTE IN KING SOLOMON'S MINES (1964) 

Proof the movie was released in English in movie theatres. A British quad is like a US half sheet poster, a horizontal rectangle. The other half has THE TEN GLADIATORS (1963).

BY THE GODS! magazine...on eBay!

A follower on X (Twitter) contacted me to say that MagCloud sent her a second copy of BY THE GODS! magazine by accident. She's selling it on eBay.

 

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Preview of cover of issue #2 at BY THE GODS!

You can also purchase BY THE GODS! at MagCloud.

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Image of the week!

Minurte (Renzo Ricci) and Semiramis (Yvonne Furneaux) enjoy a feast in SLAVE QUEEN OF BABYLON (1963; image in HD)

VHS Covers

VHS covers of CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER (1960) starring Debra Paget and Ettore Manni. I couldn't find the Something Weird VHS cover.

 

The US VHS cover. I found it being sold on eBay from an account based in Puerto Rico so I assume this is the cover from the US. It says it's in English.

German cover. There's even a photo of the video cassette.

 

 

French VHS cover. They used PEPLUM to categorize the movie type.

 

Spanish VHS cover.

 

Polish VHS cover. This artwork has nothing to do with the movie.

Musings!

Fausto Tozzi, as Captain ZancoDi Monforte or the villain, has Agnès Laurent captive in NIGHT OF THE GREAT ATTACK (1960)

I recently got a hold of a couple of copies of this film and I have to say that the widescreen one is a definite upgrade, with English audio added to it as a Fan Dub(with scenes with no English audio since the English print was cut). My previous copy was in dire straits. Watchable but poor nontheless. This is a solid movie with Fausto who excels in his role. I'm not familiar with Agnes Laurent and looked up her list of movies. I've never seen any of her other movies. Great fun.

Behind-the-Scenes

I usually post photos for behind the scenes posts but today here's a video of behind the scenes look of the making of HERCULES (1983) starring Lou Ferrigno and directed by Luigi Cozzi.
 

Clip of the week: SIEGE OF SYRACUSE (1960)

Archimedes (Rossano Brazzi) deploys his war machines with death rays. Directed by Pietro Francisci. 

SPFX DEPT.

Scenes from THE SILVER CHALICE (1954)

Like the movie itself, the visual effects in THE SILVER CHALICE are highly stylized, to the point of almost looking like an animated movie. My favourite aspect of this often maligned movie are the visuals. It's a totally unique film in regards to the visuals. Since many people hated it, I guess this style didn't catch on. Regardless, I like them. Not realistic by any means but they're very dramatic.

Vintage Article!

Yet another old article on Steve Reeves titled 'The Training Wisdom of Steve Reeves.' which includes some photos from HERCULES (1958). Reeves has had tons of articles on him.

Musings!

Scene from SPARTACUS - SINS OF ROME (1953) 

If you'd ask me what's the most spectacular scene in a Spartacus movie, I would not say anything from the 1960 version starring Kirk Douglas or any newer productions of Spartacus. No, the most spectacular scene is in this movie. The arena with the ship and water recreation is still the most spectacular scene in a movie based on the story of Spartacus. It's one of the best scenes in a PEPLUM movie. It's stunning. Director Riccardo Freda did an amazing job here. And yet aside from fans like me, few people know of its existence.

PEPLUM Movie Poster

Bulgarian Turkish poster of CHALLENGE OF THE GLADIATOR (1964)

It's nice. Google translate said it's Bulgarian. If anyone knows if it's Bulgarian or otherwise, please let me know. SinemaSkop!

Addendum: it's Turkish!

BY THE GODS! magazine..

Preview of cover of issue #2 at BY THE GODS!

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Image of the week!

Cassandra (Janette Scott) tells of a dire prophecy to Helen (Rossana Podesta) and Paris (Jacques Sernas) in HELEN OF TROY (1956)

At the movies...

 THE ROBE (1953) playing at the Olympic theater in Watertown , NY.

Musings!

Maciste (Mark Forest) is put to a test of strength in MACISTE - THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD (1961; also known as Maciste against the Mole Men)

That's Paul Wynter and Roberto Miali below the spears. I've already posted about this at the blog. It's one of the best Feat of Strength scenes in PEPLUM cinema. The thing is, trying to get the entire set-up in one photo is difficult since the movie, shot in widescreen, only shows the bottom half or top half. And if the whole scene is shown in one shot, it's filmed from far away. So, I finally came across a photo that captures the entire crazy set-up. Who designed this? They need an award!

Behind-the-Scenes

Steve Reeves and Mylène Demongeot, still in costume, are at some party during the production of THE GIANT OF MARATHON (1959)

Clip of the week: SEVEN SLAVES AGAINST ROME (1964)

Roger Browne vs Pietro Marascalchi. With Gordon Mitchell and all.

This is the Italian version, which I have and forgot to note it in yesterday's post. 

HD Alert!

Screenshots from a HD version of SEVEN SLAVES AGAINST ROME (or Seven Slaves Against the World; 1964) starring Roger Browne and Scilla Gabel.

This Michele Lupo movie looks stunning in HD. This was from a Spanish streaming service (note the logo). So, it's in Spanish. I also have it in Italian. The English dub has been missing forever! No Blu-ray available anywhere.

Gladiatorial action looks great!

Gordon Mitchell and Pietro Marascalchi, who is still not credited at IMDb.

Then & Now: John Terlesky

 John in DEATHSTALKER 2; A recent photo of the actor turned director.

Musings!

José Greci and Lang Jeffries in SWORD OF THE EMPIRE (1964)

I like this film. It's not perfect by any means but it is entertaining with a good leads and good production. The one thing I dislike about it is the casting of the Emperor. Not very convincing. The other thing is: did José and Lang got along? The relationship seems on the frosty side in the movie. But aside from that, it's a PEPLUM that delivers. The title is great! At one point this movie was nearly impossible to get in English. I need a beautiful copy of this. Oh, that's Howard Ross in the background. 

PEPLUM Movie Poster

Original Italian poster of RAGE OF THE BUCCANEERS (1961)

Nice poster. Fun movie. It's also known as GORDON - THE BLACK PIRATE.

Image of the week!

Delilah (Liana Orfei) and Hercules (Kirk Morris) are attracted to each other, in happier times, in HERCULES, SAMSON AND ULYSSES (1963)   

Lobby Cards Set: THE SARACENS (1963)

Original Italian lobby cards set, or fotobusta, of THE SARACENS (1963) starring Richard Harrison. Nice set. Very colourful. It's missing one card but even so overall, it nice showcases the scenes from this movie. Nice photos of Richard. 

Musings!

Spectacular location and set from ULYSSES AGAINST HERCULES (1962) 

The location is the Canary Islands. It's one of the best locations in a PEPLUM movie. And they use to great advantage. This shot is a good example. I wonder if they built the staircase or it was already there. Either way, it's beautiful. Mike Lane (Hercules) and Raffaella Carra are running across it. One of my favourite PEPLUM movies.

Behind-the-Scenes

Fredric March, in costume, looking at a big set being built for the movie he's working on, SIGN OF THE CROSS (1932)