The ogre with multi-dragon heads from CAPTAIN SINDBAD
I never understood why they called it an ogre and not just a multi-headed dragon or a hydra.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Behind-the-Scenes
Steve Reeves being fitted for his furry costume for GOLIATH AND THE BARBARIANS
Either Steve was super tall or the men around him were super short but the disproportionate difference in size is quite amazing. Maybe Steve Was standing on some box or platform. Cool behind-the-scenes photo.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Photo of the Day
Amalaswintha (Honor Blackman) wonders why the water is getting scolding hot in THE LAST ROMAN
Honor's nipples are visible (just barely) in this scene but I took this screenshot when they were under water. It's sort of an oddly filmed scene to see in a PEPLUM (or any regular film) that was family-friendly prior to this and then bam, nipples! I don't have any issues with nudity and I'm not complaining...it's just a very peculiar way of approaching nudity. Needless to say fans of Pussy Galore welcomed it. Here's a screenshot at PEPLUM X.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Photo of the Day
Gabriele Tinti is about to set Enzo Fiermonte on fire in SODOM & GOMORRAH
This torture device is often used in PEPLUM films which makes it a cliche for sure. The contraption can be slightly different but the idea is similar. By the time this scene occurs, just before the catastrophic destruction of Sodom, I'm usually left indifferent about it all.
Back on Monday!
Then and Now : Germano Longo
My PEPLUM film
In the 1980s I helped a University teacher with the production of a short film based on Oedipus. I'm the fellow on the right in the photo above (and the last photo below). I'm making that face for the 'role'. I don't even remember their names and sadly I've never seen the finished product. But I have these photos. I also played a cheesy monster, as seen in the photo below. That's the university teacher, as Oedipus, next to me. He loved dressing up in PEPLUM costumes. He was Italian. I pretty much look the same today, after all these years.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Photo of the Day
A dance number from THE LOST WORLD OF SINBAD
A Japanese PEPLUM film produced by Toho studios. The influence of Italian/Euro PEPLUM films were felt around the world and this film is pretty much a straight up Sword & Sandal in the Italian fashion.
After work activities
A photo by a paparazzi taken in Rome of a crying Anita Ekberg with producer Guido Giambartolomei, producer of THE MONGOLS.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Photo of the Day
Bruce King is the best thing in this version of the often told tale. Bruce, as the Scythian prisoner, is one of the most impressive actors in any PEPLUM film, in Europe or the US. He was perfectly cast and totally believable in his brief role. Now had he been the main actor of the film well it would have rocked but they went with Preston Foster who looks like a softy next to Bruce. In this version Preston adopts a kid which humanizes him but Preston is already a nice guy; having someone like tough-as-nails Bruce adopting a orphaned kid would have worked better, it would have been more affecting.
Egyptian pharaoh unearthed after 3,600 years
Discovery of King Senebkay’s tomb is regarded as first material proof of the previously unknown Abydos DynastyThe remains of a previously unknown pharaoh have been uncovered in southern Egypt, providing the first material proof of the existence of a royal dynasty dating back over three millenia, archaeologists say.
The skeleton of Woseribre Senebkay, a king from the forgotten Abydos dynasty, was discovered this month by a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania. He had lain largely untouched for 3,600 years on the site of the ancient city of Abydos, 300 miles south of modern-day Cairo.
Although ancient grave robbers had pulled apart Senebkay’s once-mummified body, the archaeologists were able to piece together his skeleton, minus an absented jaw bone. Hieroglyphs on the wall of his 60-tonne sarcophagus chamber described him as “king of Upper and Lower Egypt”.
Archaeologists now believe that Senebkay’s quartzite sarcophagus had been recycled from a tomb previously built for another pharaoh, most likely Sobekhotep I, the first king of Egypt's 13th Dynasty. The importance of this latest discovery lies in the fact that it “puts flesh on the bones of a theory,” says Nigel Hetherington, a British archaeologist based in Egypt.
The Telegraph
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Photo of the Day
Marcus Flavius Aquila (Channing Tatum) leads a defensive charge in THE EAGLE (2011)
Nice shields. Not many shields in this film so this is as good as it gets. Not bad but a bit on the slow side. The film's main drama is about Marcus saving a gladiator (played by Jamie Bell) from being killed which sets the stage for a friendship/bromance between the two amidst the tough environment of old Briton.
Behind-the-Scenes
Monday, January 27, 2014
Photo of the Day
Hiram (José Suárez, right) and friend cut down part of a mast to pass the barrier in CARTHAGE IN FLAMES (1960)
This scene is one the few exciting moments in the entire film, which is not saying much. It's not a bad film but flawed with horrendous dubbing (which should be redone). The main problem is the story is too murky to be memorable.
Movie Poster Mondays
Italian poster for TRIUMPH OF MACISTE (aka Triumph of the Son of Hercules)
Great poster except there are no bending prison bars scene in this film and that surely doesn't look like Kirk Morris but the famous feat of strength scene is captured brilliantly.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Photo of the Day
Great photo. Hard to say who the other two gladiators are. I like the checkered-look on the subligaculums they're wearing.
Back on Monday!
Who wore it best?
Lobby Cards set: SON OF SAMSON
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Photo of the Day
Steve Reeves, as Sandokan, in a publicity photo for SANDOKAN - PIRATE OF MALAYSIA
Steve, you look serious. He plays a rebel and on this ship he wins the favour of the captain (played by Pierre Cressoy, not shown) after going against the tyrannical villains who tried to take over the ship.
If Steve was a rebel he'd be the best looking rebel of all time. But with his good looks someone like Steve would never become a rebel because his looks would open doors and make his life generally easier than your average joe.
Update: Cambyses’ Still Lost Army
Almost 4 years ago I posted a story about the possibility that the legendary lost army of Cambyses might have been found. The incredible story of an army of 50,000 soldiers whom died after a massive sandstorm. The Discovery channel report below shows what they thought was new evidence back in 2009 but...
…apparently the entire thing has been dismissed as a hoax. Those who found the so-called remnants were the twin brothers Alfredo and Angelo Castiglioni, famous for the shockumentaries or MONDO films like MONDO CANE. So the credibility of the findings were in doubt and another person connected with the discoveries, Dario Del Bufalo, also has a dubious reputation. So the legendary lost army may still be, well, lost: link
…apparently the entire thing has been dismissed as a hoax. Those who found the so-called remnants were the twin brothers Alfredo and Angelo Castiglioni, famous for the shockumentaries or MONDO films like MONDO CANE. So the credibility of the findings were in doubt and another person connected with the discoveries, Dario Del Bufalo, also has a dubious reputation. So the legendary lost army may still be, well, lost: link
An artist's depiction of the sandstorm which killed the 50,000 men
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Photo of the Day
Great photo of the sexy actors! Costumes are excellent and over-the-top.
PEPLUM recycling
This is how the scene looks like in HERCULES