By the Gods!

Virgilio Riento and Franca Marzi in TIZIO, CAIO, SEMPRONIO (1951)

An early PEPLUM comedy with high productions which is obscure this side of the Atlantic. There's no English track or subtitles. This means a lot of attentive and hard work listening to the rapid fire Italian dialogue. I understand part of it but it's just too much work. I have to say that the look of the movie is excellent. Nothing cheap about it. It utilizes big crowd scenes from SCIPIO AFRICANUS: THE DEFEAT OF HANNIBAL (1937). The one of the only familiar face of the PEPLUM genre is the muscular Umberto Silvestri (below). Hard to miss him. I will be able to get a better overview of the movie once an English version or subs surface. The movie is on Youtube. The title is the Italian equivalent of Tom, Dick, and Harry.

According to Wikipedia (Italian):

The three names appear for the first time brought together in the works of Irnerio, medieval jurisconsult of the Studio di Bologna.

A classic interpretation is the following:

Tizio = Tiberio Gracco; or any Titius;
Gaius = Gaius Gracchus, brother of Tiberius;
Sempronio = Sempronio Gracco, father of Tiberius and Gaius.

PEPLUM TV official store

The PEPLUM TV store for 2020!

PEPLUM TV Official store

PEPLUM Movie Posters

Spanish poster of SPARTACUS - SINS OF ROME (1953)

Very simple poster which I like.

BY THE GODS!: Goliath and the Vampires pressbook

Gianna Maria Canale’s tiny bio in GOLIATH AND THE VAMPIRES pressbook.

At BY THE GODS!

By the Gods!

I usually don't write these personal posts here at the blog but today I feel I need to address this. This blog is a place celebrating PEPLUM movies, the good, the bad and the ugly. It's a fun blog, with a focus on the many reasons why I love these movies and why the genre needs such a place such as this one for fans, and non-fans, to delve into the nearly endless colourful aspects of it all.

These days though, with the current state of the world, I sometimes feel reluctant to cover anything about it. As you all know, there's a virus going around the world, causing death, grief and panic. Many people think it's overblown (some of my family members think it is) while others believe not  enough has been done to fight against it. We're in an odd situation. Here in Montreal, things are not even close to being as bad as other parts of the world, but things are getting hectic. Schools and churches are closed. There's a general sense of something bad is heading this way. I've personally prepared myself to be as self-sufficient as possible, certainly because I'm the main care-giver of an elderly parent who suffers from asthma.

All this to say that my mind is somewhat elsewhere. I've had many projects in the works, including a magazine, but with all these things going on right now, my focus is pulled elsewhere. No, I'm not saying that I'll stop posting. I won't since I work from home. But it's difficult to try and be informative and entertaining when the world is going bonkers out there.

Many places around the world are going through some really though times, with the crazy outbreak in China and none more than Italy at the moment. Since the PEPLUM genre is mainly an Italian phenomenon, it makes it even harder to go through fun, old Italian movies knowing hundreds of people are dying every day. It's truly heartbreaking. I'll will continue with posts but if things get out of hand, I might take a small temporary break to focus on other things.

In the meantime, pray for this pandemic to be stopped as soon as possible, and certainly pray for Italy.

Italy, stay strong!

Kirk Morris as Maciste in MACISTE IN HELL (1962)

P.S. I want to thank all my supporters, including Bree, and Charles as well. Thank you for your generosity.

At the movies...

Roxy Theatre, Atlanta, Ga., December 1959

By the Gods!

Dancing girls at the start of SINBAD AND THE CALIPH OF BAGHDAD (1973)

Directed by Pietro Francisci, who directed HERCULES (1958) and plenty of other PEPLUM classics. Dance numbers are usually fun and sexy scenes, nothing more. Not this one. It's actually quite disturbing. In fact, it's one of the most disturbing scenes in any PEPLUM. Since this happens at the very beginning of the movie, this probably turned off many viewers from watching it. It sets the tone for the movie even though the rest of the film is fun, sexy, light-hearted and jovial, you know, typical Francisci style. I always wonder if this was one of the rare missteps from the usually clever Francisci.

Robert Malcolm plays a mad Caliph who gets off in killing dancing girls with a crossbow! What a way to start a movie!

Whatever happened to Robert Malcolm?

Lobby Cards Set: ESTHER AND THE KING

US lobby cards of ESTHER AND THE KING (1960) starring Joan Collins, Richard Egan, and many Italian actors. There's nothing distinctive about this set. It's good but sorta like the movie, it lacks of stand-out moments. No close-ups of Joan or Richard.

By the Gods!

Quin Kessler, David Goss and Sandahl Bergman, as She, in SHE (1984)

A story that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, which means anything goes, including Roman-like cults, gladiator sword fights in an arena, laboratory experiments, and killer life-size toys/robots. It's a mish-mash of every type of genre with a decidedly PEPLUM template.

The story, or whatever story this movie has, is about two hunky men, played by David Goss (Tom, the blond fellow) and Harrison Muller (Dick, the dark-haired one), who are on a quest to find Tom's sister. Tom believes the goddess known as SHE (Sandahl Bergman) knows her whereabouts. In a very convoluted way, they eventually kidnap She and their quest begins. In their never-ending series of bizarre pitfalls, they have to defeat the Norks, lead by the evil Hector (Gordon Mitchell).

The story is not as linear as this synopsis. Take my word for it.

David Goss' career went nowhere (he's a bad actor in this) but he looks the part. As for Harrison Muller, PEPLUM fans will recognize him since he also starred in THRONE OF FIRE (1983), and 2020 TEXAS GLADIATORS (1983). Harrison has a cult-following of sorts these days. Whatever happened to him?

Sandahl's character is simply named She. Of course, this recalls the novel SHE written by H. Rider Haggard. At the beginning of the movie, we see people bending over in devotion, crying out "SHE!" while the goddess inspects bound men (above). And that's as far as connection this movie has to the story of Ayesha, She-who-must-be-obeyed. She is part of Amazonian tribe that controls the populace. Tom and Dick are the monkey wrenches that throw everything upside down.

It's not quite clear why the men are bound and displayed for her: for her to fight or to make love with, or both. Suffice it to say, Tom ends up being captured (before he and Dick capture She! I know it's confusing!) and goes through a task which is straight out of THOR & THE AMAZON WOMEN (below ; 1963).

The movie was made in Italy and pretty much follows all the familiar plot devices and set-ups from a gazillion previous PEPLUM movies, old or new. Instead of keeping it entirely set in Antiquity, the producers thought that a post-apocalyptic world would be more cool to audiences back then (and cheaper to make as well).

Sandahl, straight from the success of CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1982) is the star of this Rocambolesque production. Lets be honest here, the story just doesn't make much sense. It's like the producers and writers watched dozens and dozens of old PEPLUM movies, and subsequently watched MAD MAX (1979), while high on drugs, and regurgitated this thing. It's feels like a TROMA production even though it's not one. The scene on the bridge with the man who keeps replicating himself has to be seen to be believed and one of the most TROMA-like moments outside of a TROMA production.

The movie is filled with PEPLUM clichés, including the crushing wall, with She and Dick trying to keep it from crushing them to death. In another scene, Sandahl takes a bath, in the nude, like a typical Bathing Beauty cliché in PEPLUM movies.

A bored looking Gordon Mitchell plays the evil Hector, ruler of the Norks. We hear his real voice in this. His voice was very monotonous and without emotional inflection. If his voice was the same when he made his old PEPLUM movies, it's good that he was dubbed.

Tom and Dick end up meeting a cult-like group headed by David Brandon, who played Caligula in CALIGULA 2: THE UNTOLD STORY (1982). Brandon injects some much needed liveliness, and acting, to the production. This group turns out to be more trouble to the two men than they could ever imagine. Also, this scene seems to be straight out of ZARDOZ (1974)

Is this movie good? No. It's pretty silly and a mess even though the movie actually follows through with the boring "I'm trying to find my sister'" story all the way to the end, it's more or less just a series of disjointed scenes edited together. I honestly didn't care for the story. I just watched it for the plentiful PEPLUM elements, including the beefcake and cheesecake, and seeing Gordon Mitchell in familiar settings.

3 out of 10. As a 'it's so bad it's good', I give it a...5. For the fleshy cast, I give it a 7. lol!

I have the Blu-ray version of it.

Then & Now: Sandahl Bergman

Sandahl in SHE (1984) ; a recent photo of the actress

By the Gods!

Max von Sydow as Jesus in THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965)

Max von Sydow died on March 8th at the age of 90. A critically acclaimed actor who appeared in countless classics, including THE EXORCIST (1973), Max's greatest role of the PEPLUM genre was for this film. His Jesus was the most interesting part of the Biblical epic. He didn't star in that many PEPLUM movies, but had more roles on TV, including SAMSON & DELILAH (1984), QUO VADIS (1985) mini-series, and CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (1985). He also had a recurring role in GAME OF THRONES series. R.I.P..

Max had a small role as King Osric in CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1982)

Max as Sidka in SAMSON AND DELILAH (1984) TV movie.

PEPLUM Movie Poster

French poster of ESTHER & THE KING (1960)

The poster is seemingly focused on its two lead actors but it's not. That looks like Joan but he doesn't look like Richard Egan (see post below). That's Sergio Fantoni. It shows a scene in the movie, between Collins and Fantoni, but she's not chained like the artwork here.

PEPLUM TV store

The PEPLUM TV store for 2020!

I have some of the merch and wear them all the time. Good stuff.

PEPLUM TV Official store

PEPLUM Break

I take a break every two months and this is the time.

Stay tuned!

I'll leave you now with King Leonidas (Richard Egan) from THE 300 SPARTANS (1962), saying "From this wall, we do not retreat!"

Who wore it best?

Same costume, different movies and actors. Who wore it best?

Ed Fury in URSUS IN THE VALLEY OF LIONS (1961)

Benito Stefanelli in REVENGE OF THE GLADIATORS (1964)

Mark Damon in SON OF CLEOPATRA (1964)

BY THE GODS!: Motion Picture Daily…

Promotional ads of some PEPLUM movies in Motion Picture Daily… 

At BY THE GODS! 

By the Gods!

Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rutger Hauer in FLESH + BLOOD (1985)

A grim story set in medieval times and directed by Paul Verhoeven which pretty much went under the radar when released to movie theatres back in 1985, and was sorta re-discovered by people, including me, when it became available on home video. Most people, including regular visitors to this blog, probably never heard of it. 

The story is sorta messed up. A young woman, Agnes (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is set to marry Steven (Tom Burlinson), who's from a noble family. Agnes is kidnapped by a motley crew of mercenaries, lead by Martin (Rutger Hauer) who seek revenge against Steven's father. The mercenaries seek shelter in a castle and barricade themselves from the outside world. Agnes, who's unscrupulous and devious, falls for her captives, mainly Martin. The story is set during the plague. Steven tries to rescues his fiancé. The confrontation leads to a bloody siege.

Rutger Hauer's impressive sword...

This is one of those films you either either like or hate. There's no in-between. The grim story is directed with verve and doesn't shy away from shocking scenes, including abortion, or Agnes and Steven making love under dead men hung to a tree (below). Yes, you read that right.

Directed with the typical nihilism seen in every Paul Verhoeven movie, this one is one of the most gruesome. At one point, the hero catapults some plague infested flesh inside the castle, which falls into a well. Of course, a well everyone inside the closed castle drinks from. It's filled with violence, nudity and sex. There are few likeable characters, including the 'hero' Steven, who's clearly not Verhoeven's favourite character. There's no one to root for. The production is solid even though there are some discrepancies here and there, certainly in the way the characters were written. 

Tom Burlinson as the handsome hero, Steven.

Personally, I can see all the strings in which the director pulled to trigger the audience and for me this is always a no. But even so I can't help but be sorta impressed by the director's complete utter contempt for all the characters in this story. It's quite nasty. Verhoeven revels so much in the grim plight of his characters that it's almost borderline funny, in a MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL (1975) kinda way.

I rate FLESH+BLOOD 5 out 10.

Martin's motley crew of mercenaries (too many actors to mention)

Lobby Cards Set: FABIOLA

US lobby cards set for FABIOLA (1949; 1951 US) starring Michèle Morgan, Henri Vidal and Massimo Girotti. Nice set but knowing how complex and big this film is, the selection of scenes is a bit underwhelming. It's nice, with cards no 2, 7 and 8 being the best but it could have included so much more, such as the scene with Sebastian, played by Massimo Girotti. 

By the Gods!

Mark Damon is THE SON OF CLEOPATRA (1964)

Starring Mark Damon, Scilla Gabel, Arnoldo Foa, Livio Lorenzon, Paolo Gozlino and Alberto Lupo. Directed by Fernando Baldi.

When I began watching PEPLUM movies, I figured they were mainly about muscular heroes fighting evil rulers. This one, starring a non-bodybuilder sorta broke the rule. Though Mark Damon is fit, he's not comparable to Steve Reeves or even Gordon Scott in terms of physique. I thought it was a good change and in general I liked the movie. I thought it was refreshing to see. Well, those were the early stages of my introduction to the genre. After seeing a gazillion other movies, my estimation of it as sorta went down. Mind you, I don't dislike it. I like it but there's nothing remarkable about it.

Production wise, it's well made and the locations are great. The cast is good (certainly Gabel, Gozlino, Lupo, Lorenzon, and Foa) and the movie moves at a good pace. The story, though, is sorta boring (I won't bother with a summary) and the direction by Baldi is uninspired. Fernando Baldi excelled in dramas (the religious kind) and dramatic moments, not necessarily action movies. There are some good action scenes here and there and the fight at the end, between Damon and Paolo Gozlino is good. But there are obvious problems with many such scenes: during one of the film's best action scenes, a contest in the desert, it's pretty obvious Mark Damon wasn't the one doing all the work (see below). Discrepancies like this lower the quality of the movie more than necessary.

Alberto Lupo and Arnoldo Foa. Great actors.

The big problem I have with this film is the main star himself, Mark Damon. I must admit that I'm not a big fan. He's okay in this but his acting style is sorta odd. Initially, I took his style as someone who's acting was hampered by the dubbing process of Italian movies but then after seeing Mark in BEAUTY & THE BEAST (1962), an US production, and I realized that his acting was pretty much this way in all of his movies, dubbed or not dubbed. Personally, I find Paolo Gozlino much more compelling to watch. Excellent actor. He would have made an interesting son of Cleopatra. But he was cast a bad guy, and even in his limited villainy role he outshines Damon. 

Fortunately the story (or direction) relies more on the Italian cast and it doesn't shoulder the entire production on Mark's shoulders. The story needed a Steve Reeves type or even a Kirk Morris type, someone who was believable in action scenes. Damon is not really believable in such scenes. Had the film starred anyone else than Mark my view of it would have been much better. And had the film been directed by someone else, I'm certain the PEPLUM elements would have rocked more. Everything is there but a compelling story and a compelling lead actor.

As a side note, Damon's green costume (first image above) was re-ussed in a couple of other PEPLUM movies. 

I have just a couple of versions of this in my collection. The movie was included in the SON OF SAMSON (1960) DVD as a second feature, which I have. Its runtime is 103 minutes and it's not in widescreen. I have a Fan Dub of this (I don't know who made the Fan Dub) and I have the Italian version, with a runtime of 98 minutes. Both of those versions are in widescreen.

This movie is blocked on Youtube. The previous channel I managed there was closed in part because I got a strike after uploading it (even though I never made the movie public. Kept it private). It has a 'worldwide' block. You can still find it there on other channels but I can't upload it.

A serviceable 7 out of 10.

Mark Damon being whipped is the movie's highlight. I uploaded this scene to one of my first channels at Youtube and it became one of the mot popular videos ever. But the scene was eventually removed, for multiple reasons.

The beautiful Scilla Gabel is excellent as usual but her wigs are terrible. 

Livio Lorenzon in SON OF CLEOPATRA. The set was obviously cold: notice the greyish puff of smoke before him. The story is set in hot Egypt but he's freezing. Livio gives a good performance in an usually meaty role.

Above and below: this is clearly NOT Mark Damon. This is so obvious while watching the movie that I wondered if it was a joke. The actor wearing the helmet has big pecs and is hairless but Mark Damon's chest is hairy and certainly not muscular. Very poor direction.

Wardrobe Malfunctions

A couple of additions to the Wardrobe Malfunctions permanent page.

By the Gods!

Julie Newmar in SERPENT OF THE NILE (1953)

This sorta 'outlandish' scene is many things: First, it's not very Egyptian looking. Second, the gold makeup makes the young Julie Newmar look much older than she was. And third, this is a dance sequence where Julie, an excellent dancer in her own right, dances at the start of this scene but for the most part is made to stand there like a statue.

It's a quirky scene. It wants to be grand and dazzling but ends up being cute and kitschy. And very anachronistic.

Julie is credited as Julie Newmeyer.

Directed by William Castle, this is one of a couple low budget PEPLUM movies released by COLUMBIA PICTURES in the early to mid-1950s. Many people dislike them but I find them fun or interesting. Granted, it's nothing like the 1963 version of CLEOPATRA (1963) but it's fun enough. The screengrabs are taken from a HD version shown on Italian TV. The image is pretty good.

Mark Antony (Raymond Burr), Cleopatra (Rhonda Fleming) and Lucilius (William Lundigan) are the captive spectators. Cleopatra offers the gold to Mark Antony.

PEPLUM TV Official store

The PEPLUM TV store for 2020!

I have some of the merch and wear them all the time. Good stuff.

PEPLUM TV Official store

PEPLUM Movie Posters

Original Italian movie poster of HERCULES AGAINST THE SONS OF THE SUN (1964)

This movie has so many different posters. This one is pretty straightforward.

By the Gods!

Moira Orfei, Massimo Serato and Alan Steel in SAMSON & THE SLAVE QUEEN (1963)

Also known as ZORRO VS MACISTE. In this post it's VHS vs DVD. I got a new version of this film from an old VHS print. It's amazing how different it is compared to the DVD release. Of course the DVD print (above) is superior in every way to the VHS one (below) except for one: the warmth. Why is the VHS one so colourful and warm compared to the official DVD release? It might be a bit too  warm but the DVD one seems so drab in comparison. I made a GIF animation of the two.

Moira's dress look almost different. Her skin tone is better in the DVD one though. Massimo's costume is  more visible in the VHS screengrab. You can also see his eyes better. Steel's natural hair and skin color is so different. The VHS might be a bit too orange but just a few levels less and it would be great. The DVD one is nice and subtle but a bit too subtle. It needs some warmth.

A fun film regardless of the copy.