Gordon Mitchell in Fellini's Satyricon
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Sack of Rome
The Sack of Rome
2010 was the 1600th anniversary of the vandal sack of rome
link
From link: "Tuesday marks the 1,600th anniversary of one of the turning points of European history - the first sack of Imperial Rome by an army of Visigoths, northern European barbarian tribesmen, led by a general called Alaric."
Friday, October 29, 2010
Photo of the Day
Sylvia Lopez in Herod the Great (with Edmund Purdom).
Even if Sylvia only made a few PEPLUMS, she's made a big impact
because she had incredible screen presence. Her life was cut short
after dying from leukemia. She was 28 years old when she died.
History of Fire Stations
The history of fire stations dates back all the way to ancient Egypt. The first fire brigade
in Rome dates back to 115 BC and was operated by Marcus Licinius Crassus. There
were 100 fires per day in Rome alone. Yikes.
Have you heard of AGORA?
I purchased the movie and will watch it soon. It looks AMAZING. As a fan of Sword & Sandal films, it looks like one of the best looking films I've ever seen. As for the content, like script and acting, well, I will wait and see how good it is but I find the whole thing quite disheartening.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Photo of the Day
No, it's not Sarah Brightman's new video. Alexa Davalos as Andromeda
in the new Clash of the Titans. I'll post a review soon.
PEPLUM Anachronism
Adidas shorts don't belong in ancient Greece
(from Clash of the Titans 1981, which I saw on the big screen
and this shot stood out for all the wrong reasons)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Colossus of Nero
The Colosseum in Rome became known as such because of the Colossus of Nero statue erected next to it. The original name of the arena was the Flavian Amphitheatre. People started calling it the Colosseum because it was easier. I didn't know that. The 30m bronze statue was eventually destroyed during the sack of Rome but also because everyone hated Emperor Nero.
The Vanishing Army
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, Cambyses, the son of Cyrus the Great, sent 50,000 soldiers from Thebes to attack the Oasis of Siwa and destroy the oracle at the Temple of Amun.
At some point during their march, the mighty Persian army was said to have been overcome by a sandstorm in the Egyptian desert.
No one has ever found evidence of the army's remains.
But now, some 2,500 years later, researchers claim they have found the place in the western Sahara desert where Cambyses' army met its fate.
Link
Love these stories. Fascinating stuff. Real Peplum history!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Photo of the Day
Giovanni Cianfriglia as Antaeus in Hercules the Avenger. Giovanni worked
as Steve Reeves' body double in a couple of PEPLUM films.
as Steve Reeves' body double in a couple of PEPLUM films.
Third version of PERSEUS THE INVINCIBLE
I just got a hold of a completely different version of "Perseus the Invincible" (known as "Medusa Against the Son of Hercules" in North America). It's in Spanish and in many scenes are totally different. The editing and direction are not like the other versions which confuses me. So now this film has three versions: the truncated and terrible U.S. version, the Italian one, which I'm assuming is the official version and the Spanish version which is totally unique. My head is spinning.
The Medusa shoots a blue laser out of its single eye.
The victim is hit by laser, turning him to stone.
The dragon has a white puffy breath that chokes the soldiers who fall to their death.
This added detail is also not included in the US and Italian versions.
THE EAGLE
New Sword & Sandal starring Channing Tatum & Jamie Bell
It actually looks interesting. Sorta reminds me of an Italian PEPLUM starring Richard Harrison called THE ULTIMATE GLADIATOR, more known as the silly title MESSALINA AGAINST THE SON OF HERCULES.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Movie Poster Mondays
The Rebel Gladiators
starring Dan Vadis, Gloria Milland, Jose Greci and Alan Steel (Sergio Ciani)
HERMES - Greek God of the Month
greek god of the month: HERMES
hermes is familiar as the messenger god in Greek mythology. In a related capacity, he brought the dead to the Underworld in his role of "psychopompos". Zeus made his thieving son Hermes god of commerce. Hermes invented various devices, especially musical ones, and possibly fire. He is known as a helpful god.
definition of psychopompos :
psyche = soul, pompe = escort, procession, "who escorts the souls"
< death of sarpedon (a trojan ally, leader of the Lycians and son of Zeus, killed by the spear of Patroklos). Hermes psychopompos in the Middle with the twin brothers Thanatos and Hypnos (Death and Sleep) moving (Sarpedon) to Hades the world of the dead.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Fabio - PEPLUM Star
Fabio was just a baby when he appeared in Maciste in the Land of the Cyclops
back in the early 1960s. You can view the clips at the youtube link below.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The Mighty Hercules Cartoon TV Intro
Used to love this show when I was a kid but haven't seen it
in a *very* long time. Don't know if it holds up.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Photo of the Day
Bartolomeo Pagano - the original Maciste from Cabiria (amazing film)
make to check out this video from my PEPLUM
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Love this painting. I just can image a PEPLUM with our hero in some vertical action going on up and down the tower of Babylon.
Jason Momoa - New Conan the Barbarian
Miscast? I have to say that I didn't care much for Arnold as Conan because Arnold can't act and didn't look dark enough but Jason Momoa is a tad, eh, unimpressive. The movie looks like direct-to-dvd stuff. Oh well.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Medusa at the Movies
The Medusa is an enduring and fascinating "villain" who has appeared in a couple of films. The films below are in chronological order:
The Medusa from "Perseus the Invincible" as designed by Carlo Rambaldi
The Gorgon from Hammer's version of the Medusa myth
Medusa as seen through the eyes of Ray Harryhausen
new Medusa from Clash of the Titans remake
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Greek Plinth
Real Greek Plinth vs Movie Plinth;
Screen captures from "Hercules Challenges Samson" starring Kirk Morris.
Screen captures from "Hercules Challenges Samson" starring Kirk Morris.
