Victor Mature is tortured in THE ROBE, the first film to be shot in a widescreen process they called CinemaScope. For a first film shot that way, the composition and use of widescreen is pretty good.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Featured Film: APHRODITE, GODDESS OF LOVE
Original title: Afrodite, dea dell'amore
Director: Mario Bonnard
Assistant Director: Sergio Leone
Assistant Director: Sergio Leone
Writers: Sergio Leone, Mario Bonnard, more
Music: Giovanni Fusco
Release Date: 29 August 1958 (Italy)
Isabelle Corey ... Lerna
Anthony Steffen ... Demetrio
Irène Tunc ... Diala
Ivo Garrani ... Antigono
Giulio Donnini ... Erasto
Massimo Serato ... Quinto Rufo
Andrea Aureli ... Kibur
Tomoro and Kibur
John Kitzmiller ... Tomoro
Clara Calamai ... Stenele
Released in 1958, the same year HERCULES was released in Italy, APHRODITE, GODDESS OF LOVE is a great example of a PEPLUM film that's difficult to categorize and that's purely Italian in tone, atmosphere and structure. This is a type of PEPLUM Hollywood would have never produced. The story is almost impossible to describe even though the storyline itself is simple enough: A voice over tells use that Antigono (played by the great Ivo Garrani, King Pelias in HERCULES) becomes the Archon of Corinth and he'll supervise the creation of a canal from an ambitious idea conceived by Nero. The problem is that the land where the canal will be built has an old temple dedicated to Aphrodite. The Archon says he'll destroy it but his aides say this will upset the populace. Antigono promises to rebuild a new temple somewhere else and a famous artist/sculptor, Demetrius (Anthony Steffen), will supervise the rebuilding of the temple and its statues.
The resurrected law for all to see
Antigono realizes that the building of the canal will cost more than what the treasury has, so he and his scheming assistant revive an old law that had been since forgotten in which everyone has to pay 50% of their earnings in taxes during the time of war. The law was bronzed on a plate outside a temple, which is cleaned up so folks could see it with their own eyes and that the Archon is not robbing them blind and proof that the law already existed. We then see a slave merchant complaining about the new law. Some soldiers overhear his complaints which results in his death. Everything the slave merchant owned is now confiscated by the authorities, which includes all the slave women and the merchant's girlfriend, Diala (a statuesque Irène Tunc).
In the outskirts, we see an old man and a young woman, Lerna (Isabelle Corey), walking about. Both are caught in between a marching army and the upset populace whom lost their homes and land for a few bucks. An uprising occurs and Lerna is arrested along with the uprisers. The old man, we learn, is a priest and heads to a secret hideout where his disciples are and learn about Lerna's fate.
Diala and Lerna become friends in captivity
While Demetrio arrives in Corinth as a Hero, in a dungeon, Diala befriends Lerna. Another slave merchant, Kibur, buys all the slaves from the dead one and Diala and Lerna become his property, even if Lerna wasn't a slave girl. Lerna escapes Kibur's camp and heads to the old Temple only to meet Demetrio who's walking the grounds for inspiration. Demetrio is smitten with Lerna but Kibur's guards are after her and Demetrio fights with the men. As an artist, he has not much of a fighter and he and Lerna are held captive, attached to a post and whipped before they learn who he is. Diala sees this as her chance to escape her current enslavement so she secretly heads to the Archon's palace and tells them about Demetrio being held against his will. The army crushes the slave merchant and both Diala and Lerna are now the property of Antigono again, but this time becoming courtesans at the palace. Both women vie for the affection of Demetrio but also the inspiration for his artistic creations. Diala is hired to model for the statue of Aphrodite and believes Demetrio is interested in her but in fact he's interested in Lerna, who, in turn, is devoted to her religion, Christianity. The focus of the rest of the story is about who Demetrio is really in love with which creates the usual set of double crossings and schemings. There's much more to the story, including an outbreak of the plague and an event surrounding Antigono's wife, Stenele.
Diala realizes that Kibur's guards captured the famous artist Demetrio
Once the story settles down at the palace, the film smoothly moves along and becomes a melodrama of sorts but calling it just a melodrama would be doing it a disservice. It's much more than that. One of the writers for the screenplay was none other than Sergio Leone. Like SIGN OF THE GLADIATOR, Leone was one of many folks involved in the final creation of this film. Unlike SIGN OF THE GLADIATOR though, APHRODITE is not an all out mess. It's solid from beginning to end. Leone is also credited as assistant director.
Even though the "persecuting the Christians" storyline might seem tired or boring to many, in this film it's actually used in a cool way. It's all about transference, which is the part I really love about the story. You see, the beautiful irony in the story is how Lerna's devotion to Christ becomes the source of inspiration for Demetrio's Aphrodite. He sees in her as a light or beauty that few women possess but the inner light in her stems from her deep devotion to Christianity. Demetrio is drawn to her on many levels: because of his art but also as a man. Physically, Diala is the model he uses to shape the statue (photo on the left) but Lerna is the true soul and the one he's drawn too. This contrast is sorta brilliant. The statue of Aphrodite is the merging of Diala's body and Lerna's soul. The juxtaposition of the themes is quite good and not too obvious. The screenplay is a constant source of contradictions, which is a common theme in all of Sergio Leone's films.
The actors are all good, with no one really standing-out has they all play their roles appropriately. The exception may be a robust Ivo Garrani as Antigono who plays his role with such panache that it's it almost borders on camp but not quite. He's so convincing as the resolutely unsecured leader, always trying to better himself with a better position, more wealth, a better wife, etc, that his evil but confused ways are almost endearing. The main star is Isabelle Corey but the actress that steals almost every scene she's in is Irène Tunc. Irène's physical attributes (probably too plump by today's standards) are quite impressive even if her acting is a bit stilted. Both Isabelle and Anthony are believable in their roles as the forbidden lovers. Steffen as the famous artist is perfectly cast. Masculine but not in a macho way, Steffen is credible as an artist who's perception of things around him makes him susceptible to changes, including the newly emerging religion called Christianity. As for Isabelle Corey, the diminutive French actress who made several PEPLUM films before disappearing from the face of the earth, is endearing as the fragile Lerna who is the source of inspiration that propels most of the story. The supporting cast is populated with a good number of familiar actors, including Livio Lorenzon and Massimo Serato who's entire role has been all but removed in the US version.
The film score by Giovanni Fusco is great with memorable themes throughout. The main theme is difficult to get out of one's head once you hear it. The sets and costumes are gorgeous but not showy. The stand-out aspect of this film is the look/cinematography. The entire film has a pastel tone which is truly eye-pleasing. APHRODITE, GODDESS OF LOVE was filmed in two rare film processes: the colour was by Ferraniacolor and the film stock itself was in the rarely used Schermiscope. Few films were shot in Schermiscope and combined with Ferraniacolor and the look of the film is quite different to what films looked like back then.
Dancers demonstrate the beautiful pastel tones used for the film's overall look
For those looking for action and muscular heroes throwing boulders around they won't find much to enjoy here but for those who enjoy PEPLUM cinema in all its forms, including dramas inspired by "a chapter of Greco-Roman history," well APHRODITE, GODDESS OF LOVE fills the need quite beautifully.
Rating: 9 out 10
Pros:
- great cast
- surprisingly strong script
- beautiful pastel colours and cinematography
- excellent production values
- excellent production values
- authentic tone and look
- lively dance numbers
- fantastic score
Cons:
- ending a bit abrupt
- a bit aloof
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Photo of the Day
Amanda Blake watches as Elaine Stewart and John Derek are strung up
to die in THE ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA.
To say that this film is a bit, eh, odd is putting it mildly. A truly campy Sword & Sandal from 20th Century Fox that goes in every direction. It's entertaining, for all the wrong reasons: the story doesn't make a lick of sense; the Princess, the beautiful Elaine Stewart, is a truly annoying character. I wanted to strangle her. There's a group of desert Amazons (!!!) who are as pale as can be. The leader of the Amazons (Blake) looks like she's just stepped out of a film noir, with blazing curly red hair! Handsome John Derek plays a barber/adventurer. Nat King Cole sings the title song. The whole thing is wacky. Beautiful (but not convincing) location filming though.
Offsprings of PEPLUM stars
Pierre Brice, Marie Versini and Christopher Barker at a tribute to his father, Lex Barker, in Lucerne.
Sebastian Harrison is the son of Richard Harrison; photo was taken last year.
He has a facebook profile. He was once an actor but quit showbiz.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Photo of the Day
Chelo Alonso dances up a storm in TERROR OF THE RED MASK. A pretty entertaining flick.
Movie Poster Mondays
Sexy Italian poster for GODDESS OF LOVE starring Jacques Sernas and Belinda Lee.
Recent additions to my library
I recently got about 40+ films to my library. The majority of the titles I already had but a good portion of them are new titles.
THE BACCHANTES - in Italian but better than nothing. In short, this film is a masterpiece.
JULIUS CAESAR AGAINST THE PIRATES - finally in widescreen and a beautiful transfer. Great PEP.
FURY OF ACHILLES - in widescreen and beautiful print and in English. I also have this film on DVD but in Spanish and I was about to do a Fan Dub. This saves me so much time.
SALAMMBO - Beautiful quality (but in 4:3) and I need to do a Fan Dub for this one. Includes many scenes cut from the US print.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE EAGLE - In widescreen and in English! A real find!
QUEEN OF THE PIRATES - Beautiful semi-widescreen print but in Italian.
THE EGYPTIAN - Beautiful print and in English.
I have many more. My collection is ever expanding and will show them one day on my PEPLUM TV channel but the ratings these days have been awful and there's no point of using up bandwidth for 2 or 3 loyal viewers. Maybe it's just the summer period.
THE BACCHANTES - in Italian but better than nothing. In short, this film is a masterpiece.
JULIUS CAESAR AGAINST THE PIRATES - finally in widescreen and a beautiful transfer. Great PEP.
FURY OF ACHILLES - in widescreen and beautiful print and in English. I also have this film on DVD but in Spanish and I was about to do a Fan Dub. This saves me so much time.
SALAMMBO - Beautiful quality (but in 4:3) and I need to do a Fan Dub for this one. Includes many scenes cut from the US print.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE EAGLE - In widescreen and in English! A real find!
QUEEN OF THE PIRATES - Beautiful semi-widescreen print but in Italian.
THE EGYPTIAN - Beautiful print and in English.
I have many more. My collection is ever expanding and will show them one day on my PEPLUM TV channel but the ratings these days have been awful and there's no point of using up bandwidth for 2 or 3 loyal viewers. Maybe it's just the summer period.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Photo of the Day
Gianna Maria Canale shows why she became known as the Queen of Cinecitta;
from SPARTACO (aka SINS OF ROME)
I'll be playing this film on PEPLUM TV this coming week
What movie is this from...answer
The answer: SAMSON & THE MIGHTY CHALLENGE; Nadir Moretti as Samson
William Connelly on facebook posted the right answer pretty quickly.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Photo of the Day
Sacrificial scene from TRIUMPH OF THE SON OF HERCULES (aka Trionfo di Maciste).
Cool statue/scene
HERCULES Fan Dub - a PEPLUM TV Exclusive
This post is just to announce that I created a Fan Dub of HERCULES, using the preferred US dubbed track and combined it with the beautiful widescreen image of the Euro film version. Remarkably, both versions had some slight differences which I will highlight in a Youtube clip soon. But this is just to announce in advance that I'll soon be playing this new version of HERCULES on my PEPLUM TV channel!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Photo of the Day
Remains of Ancient Palace Discovered
Hidden beneath an ancient palace in what is now central Sudan, archaeologists have discovered the oldest building in the city of Meroë, a structure that also may have housed royalty. More at the link.
CONAN THE BARBARIAN Premiere
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Photo of the Day
This is one of the best PEPLUM films ever: tons of action, tight story, good acting, believable story. I played this film this past weekend and I watched it from beginning and never get tired of it. Several Richard's PEP films are truly great and yet he and his films are constantly overlooked with many dismissing (and still dismissing?) Harrison as the actor Italian producers hired when they couldn't get Gordon Scott or Steve Reeves. I disagree. And this film and several others of his prove they're wrong.
Cinematic Confusion
This German DVD is a multiple offender.
The second poster/image has Gordon Scott along with Richard Harrison. This is for GLADIATORS 7. They never made a film together and Gordon wasn't in that specific film.
The artwork of third poster is for FURY OF ACHILLES with Gordon Mitchell and the title on the DVD is SPARTACUS & THE TEN GLADIATORS. Hmm...
When bad wigs happen to good films...
Beba Lončar in IN THE SHADOW OF THE EAGLES...I literally gasped and paused the movie
when I saw this.
From FURY OF ACHILLES; Cristina Gaioni's wig is, well, indescribable. I mean, wth is that? On the other hand, the beautiful Gloria Milland looks fine.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Photo of the Day
Sophia Loren in, what she described as one of her worst film experiences, ATTILA.
"Attila the Hun, in 1953, a pointless, tasteless, trite affair that had in it my most unpleasant experience as an actress: a scene in which Tony passionately kissed me while eating a greasy lamb chop"
Directed by favourite PEP director, Pietro Francisci. I have it in Italian with the audio out of sync. This film is available in Italian with English subs in a Sophia Loren DVD pack that costs over $30+. I'm only interested in ATTILA. $30 for one nearly 60 year old film seems a bit much.
PEPLUM Recycling: more tunic sightings
Last week I posted a photo about King Pelias' tunic in HERCULES recycled in GOLIATH & THE DRAGON. Well, since then I came across two other films that I watched with the same tunic.
Antony Steffen in APHRODITE GODDESS OF LOVE; it's the same tunic but with no opened collar.
Sergio Fantoni as Eteocle in HERCULES UNCHAINED. The hem is much longer.
