Heroes Never Die!!!! Have Sword, Will Travel! Or Sandals well traveled?!-(an epic book for an epic genre: Euro Sword & Sandal).
An interactive article…
Heroes Never Die-The Italian Peplum Phenomenon-1950–1967
Published by Midnight Marquee Press(see link below)
by Barry Atkinson
A brilliant study and retrospect of a sub-genre of the Epic films that were produced in the heyday of Hollywood. Hercules and the Captive Women plus over 350 more are covered in a massive B/W or Color edition. Loaded with many stills and posters. Each film is rated based on a 1–5 scale with 5 the best using crosses. An ample amount of trivia and info about the various films, actors/actresses and the productions themselves. Even locations are discussed and whether or not stock footage or previous footage was re-edited with new scenes which did happened from time to time. All titles both Italian, International and US are noted plus running times for all markets.
Is it Saturday afternoon again-remember those adventurous matinees at the bijou?
Many of these releases appeared as double bills paired often with each other or a common theme especially across Europe and the United Kingdom -more so. Or in the US at your local Drive-In. For me it was a weekend in front of the Tele on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon or possibly one of those late Friday/Saturday nite block of hosted programming — say Gregory the Grave Walker on Frightening Flickers. I Could not get enough of Sword and Sandal. Love these films just for the pure escapism.
*Trivia-break-Johnny Nash( I Can See Clearly Now-1972)sang the theme song to The Mighty Hercules ( 1963–1966 animated TV series)-see link below
And don’t think we are talking Hercules only. There were many other heroes taking up the mantle to defend Greece, Rome and the rest of the world- in fact as far as King Solomon’s Mines all the way to the New World were within their range. Pirates, Gladiators, Goliath, Ursus and Maciste adorn these pages.
There was political intrigue and drama in the “court”. Natural disasters like Pompei and unnatural one too the fall of Atlantis and the ..popular historical tales detailing the roots of Rome in Duel of the Titans literally pairing two life titans- Steve Reeves(Hercules) and Gordon Scott (Tarzan)as brothers, Romulus and Remus. Mongols, Barbarians, Tartars, Pagans Every facet of mythology and history with the sword and sandal era is game.
And like the factual we have the fanciful from The Witch’s Curse(Kirk Morris), The Thief of Baghdad(Steve Reeves), Ali Baba and the Sacred Crown or Sinbad and the Seven Saracens. Zorro and Robin Hood.
Your favorite stars are here- from Steve Reeves, Alan Steele, Samson Burke, Rock Stevens(Peter Lupus-Mission Impossible), Richard Harrison, Sylvia Koschina, Rosalba Neri, Gordon Mitchell, Ricardo Montalban(Fantasy Island), Daniela Rocca and Rod Taylor, Debra Paget and Jayne Mansfield.
- Trivia- more women- As many men adorned the images on the advertising and promotional material for this genre so did the women. And not just on paper but up on the screen as well . I just wanted to give them there do. Actresses like Helga Line(Agent 077:Mission Bloody Mary-1965), Elsa Martinelli, Danielle De Metz, Franca Parisi, Pier Angeli and Yvonne Monlaur(Hammer Films fame-’60s)to name a few of many…
- In fact many were the villians or villainess’ of the story. So don’t ever cross one. Especially in The Triumph of Hercules(Dan Vadis)or The Witch’s Curse(Kirk Morris).
You may find yourself fighting off some giant, round domed, bronze skinned henchmen or worst yet trapped in the “bowels” of the Earth finding yourself up against a horde of monsters thirsty for your blood. So hence the term beware “a woman scorned”.
Here are some to stay clear of or be forewarned-
Fay Spain in Hercules and the Captive Women(having no problem sacfircinig her own daughter to a “god” just so she can remain Queen), Liuba Bodina, Helene Chanel(Death Knocks Twice-1969), Moira Orfei or
Jany Clair(not giving a second thought of getting rid of her half-sister just for a little promised power from some Moon Men..geesh! or having Hercules slightly pressed)in Maciste and the Queen of Samar aka US -`Hercules Against The Moon Men.(*see trailer near beginning of article).
Music by Angelo Lavagnino(Gorgo), Francesco De Masi( Masciste in King Solomon’s Mines & The Inglorious Bastards), Carlo Franci-worked primarily within the Peplum genre(The Witches Curse & Hercules Against the Moon Men) and Carlo Savina(Masciste Against the Mongols & Secret Agent Fireball).
- Trivia break-
Les Baxter(Music Director for Bob Hope and Abbott & Costello shows) — primarily a composer and arranger for exotic, lounge, bachelor and Tiki music plus Movie/Television soundtracks was tapped many times on the US versions of many peplum and other Euro(ex. spy /espionage) genre films. Including: Goliath and the Sins of Babylon, Marco Polo, Samson and ther Slave Girl, Goliath and the Vampires, Samdon and the Seven Miracles and Goliath and the Dragon…other films outside of the Euro Heroes genre-countless AIP productions especially for Roger Corman and all those Comedy of Terrors: The Raven, Master of the World plus the beach films with Annette and Frankie… starting with Beach Party-Surfs Up!!!! and Fireball 500.
- more Les trivia- He also scored the episode Vegas in Space for Buck Rogers 79/80 TV series.
Directors including Ferndinando Baldi(Texas Adios & Comin At Ya), Mario Bava( Hercules in the Haunted World & Danger Diabolik), Riccardo Freda(The Witches Curse & Coplan FX 18) and Domenico Paolella( Masciste *US-Hercules* Against the Mongols & Stunt Squad).
*Trivia- The Ten Gladiators
First there was the Invincible Gladiator, then Gladiators 7. But no one could prepare for a film with so much action that it woud take 10. Now coming to a theater near you The Triumph of the Ten Gladiators!!!!
Did someone say two fisted-acrobatic action and stunts galore. Battles in and out of the arena. High court intrigue with wanna be rulers that like to rule with an iron fist. Propping their feet up on a servant/concubine(his own personal stool), human trafficking, torture, dungeons, catapults and flamming arrows. Well that’s what you get and more.
Who says threes a crowd or three strikes and your out? When it comes to the 10 Gladiators the odds were in their favor. This series as short lived as it was only kept getting better. These films improved with each production and it really took number 2 to set the path for what would become two of my favorite peplum films. And it could only help with keeping as much of the original cast returning each time and the addition of some much needed humor.
We had Dan Vadis returning to the role of Roccia each and every time. Vadis had enormous hands. which lended the authenticity to the fights especially when he was surrounded by several opponents. Any one else and you would feel sorry for him. I actually felt sorry for the bad guys, I knew what was coming. A beat down.
Plus the expanded role of one cast member in the last two films- A man od small stature, but only in height- a mute by birth, but he had an incredible screen precense- Salvatore Borghese. Stole every scene he was in. He brought some much needed humor plus making it possible to create some super fun action. Salvatore was a very active person in front of the camera and off.
So make sure you catch these three guilty pleasures. Which most are streaming on YOUTUBE.
The Ten Gladiators, The Ten Invincible Gladiators and Triumph of the Ten Gladiators.
Was it a Co-Production? Well there are quite a few. Italy paired up with France, Spain and Germany at times. Especially depending on the story… say The Man in the Iron Mask or The Corsican Brothers -all famous originating from stories written by one of France’s most prolific writers, Alexandre DuMas (The Three Musketeers & The Count of Monte Cristo). Sometimes the co-productions involved US studios including MGM. Helping young international actors like Rod Taylor(The Time Machine & Darker Than Amber)) make their way in to the hearts of movie goers. King of the 7 Seas(Seven Seas to Calais US title) also rates 5 crosses. And who dosen’t love a good swashbuckler? Not I. Give a me good pirate yarn or battle at sea. Lost treasure and a little bit of court intrigue. And there were plenty that sailed across the silver screen hailing from all parts of Europe.
Featuring titles like Marco Polo, Sign of the Avenger, The Invincible Masked Cavaliere( and he was cavalier enough to earn a 5 in the rating system), and Revenge of the Black Knight. Plus you can not leave out The Pirates of Malaysia starring the great Steve Reeves-see link below for the full movie.( This would be his 2nd to last screen appearnce before leaving the the world of cinema all together, having suffered several injuries in previous peplum faire). All the above fims are higly rated and make essentials on my list.
One last note many of these films had more than one release title due to marketing and distribution across the globe. for example The Invincible Masked Cavalier aka The Invincible Masked Rider akaTerror of the Black Mask. Our insightful and ever diligent author has seen fit to also list every release title for every film discussed in this book. Which I give high praise and tip my hat to. You will appreciate all this hard work and detail.
I could go on but there are far too many facts and trivia covered in what I would call one of the most complete and fun filled retrospects on a most epic and historic pact reference guide to Heroes (that) Never Die. So thank you Barry. For me this is one of my go to’s when I am venturing in to uncharted waters full of mist and fantasy. So let the sails be filled with winds of chance and blow us on to another quest.
For now I say may the gods guide you safely on those waters home ward bound and if you happen to run in to a fire breathing dragon or some unforeseen peril, maybe a typhoon from out of nowhere just pick up that conch shell and blow as hard as you can and maybe, just maybe your thoughts and prayers will be heard in far off Mt Olympus and down will come a much needed hero or maybe a hunter from the future, Yor(Reb Brown), But that’s another story…
Ciao-
Doc
Related links and material —
Books are available via Amazon-
MVD-Entertainment Group
The Film Detective-
BALLYHOO Motion Pictures-
The Mighty Hercules-Trans-Lux & Adventure Cartoon Productions-1963–1966(American/Canadian)
The CBS Late Nite Movie-theme by Mort Stevens.
The Pirates of Malaysia-Full Movie-YOUTUBE
