Ulysses (1954)

A movie adaptation of Homer's second epic, that talks about Ulysses' efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.

Director:

Mario Camerini

Writers:

Franco Brusati (screenplay), Mario Camerini (screenplay)

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Silvana Mangano, Anthony Quinn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kirk Douglas	...	Ulysses
Silvana Mangano	...	Circe / Penelope
Anthony Quinn	...	Antinoos
Rossana Podestà	...	Nausicaa
Jacques Dumesnil	...	Alicinous
Daniel Ivernel	...	Euriloco
Sylvie	...	Euriclea
Franco Interlenghi	...	Telemachus
Elena Zareschi	...	Cassandra
Evi Maltagliati	...	Anticlea
Ludmilla Dudarova	...	Arete
Tania Weber	...	Eucalicanto
Piero Lulli	...	Achille
Ferruccio Stagni	...	Mentor
Alessandro Fersen	...	Diomede (as Alessandro Ferzen)

Storyline

In the ancient Greek city of Ithaca, many impatiently await the return of their king Ulysses and his warriors from the Trojan War. Among these, Ulysses' devoted wife Penelope and his grown son Telemachus. But Ulysses' return is not eagerly awaited by everyone, especially by his enemies. They openly court Penelope and ask her to give her husband up for dead and re-marry one of the rowdy suitors who have taken up residence in her home since her husband's departure. However, Penelope clings to her belief that Ulysses will soon return. To appease the aggressive suitors, Penelope promises that she would re-marry as soon as she finishes weaving a large tapestry depicting Ulysses' deeds of bravery. In secret, she's unraveling the day's weaving, thus delaying the tapestry's completion. Penelope knows that her trick won't work forever. In Troy, Ulysses and his warriors use the Trojan Horse ruse to conquer the city. In his fervor, Ulysses destroys the Trojans' temple to Neptune, god of the sea,...

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Plot Keywords:

epic | odyssey | island | greece | sicily | 

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Taglines:

One of the greatest adventures of world literature! Packed with fury...excitement...cunning and tempestuous love!

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy USA France

Language:

Italian English

Release Date:

October 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Odyssey

Filming Locations:

Ponti-De Laurentiis Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lux Film, Paramount Pictures, Producciones Ponti-de Laurentiis

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Seven Arts Pictures re-issued the film on March 30th, 1966.

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Goofs

There are inconsistencies of scale with the giant Polyphemus: for instance a human scale wineskin is nearly as big in his hand as the sailor he devours.

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Connections

Version of Odysseus 31: Vengeance of the Gods (1981)

User Reviews

Italian-American co-production based on Homer's immortal poem about the mythological hero Ulysses

Odysseus' journey told in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. After fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus spends years trying to return home to Itaka. This is the story of a man who left his home , his wife and his son to go away to war.. He destroyed the city of his enemies and started back home . But Neptune , protector God of the conquered people , pursued him with his anger and kept him murdering for ten years . It is the story of Ulysses who dared defy the god and continued his journey to Ithaca , his home, where his wife Penelope was waiting.. and waiting.. The dust of centuries has not dimmed the glories of Ulysses' heroic deeds. the cave of Pholiphemus still reverberates with the with the bellowing roars of the son of Neptuno . The sorrowful face of Penelope still gazes longingly across the open sea. And on a distant shore Circe still casts her spill . For the immortality that Ulysses refused of a goddess was later given to him by a poet ..And the epic poem that Homer sang of the hero's wanderings and of his yearning for home will live for all time .

Good rendition deals with Ulysses on his Odyssey home to Penelope and Telemaco after the Trojan War . The classic version ever of Homer's epic produced by two greatest Italian producers as Carlo Ponti and Dino De Laurentis . Based on Homer's Odyssey adapted by seven writers ,including the American prestigious Irwin Shaw and Ben Hecht , Billy Wilder's usual. As a tale , the Odyssey is an unparalleled metaphor of the struggles of a man's life. The cast is brilliant and international with American as Kirk Douglas , Anthony Quinn and Italian actors as Silvana Mangano , Rossana Podesta and Franco Interlenghi. Silvana Mangano gives us a typical Greek tragedy style performance in a double role as Penelope and Circe , but most amazing is Kirk Douglas acting as the brave and valiant Ulysses , really good looking , impulsive and totally convincing, it seems the role was really written for him . Partially shot in natural locations in the Mediterranean and Ponti-Laurentis studios. The exteriors of this Lux motion picture were filmed on the Mediterranean coast and islands described in Homer's Odyssey . The sea and the sky are strikingly blue, the islands green and wild . Colorful and spectacular cinematography by Harold Rosson . Evocative and impressive original score by Alessandro Cicognini , well conducted by Franco Ferrara . The motion picture is professionally directed by Mario Camerini and some scenes by Mario Bava though uncredited . Rating : Better than average take on that will appeal to classic film lovers and Kirk Doglas fans . Another excellent adaptation results to be ¨L'Odissea¨ (1968) TVseries directed by Franco Rossi and also by Mario Bava with Bekim Fehmiu as Ulysses and Irene Papas as Penelope.