Samson and the Mighty Challenge (1964)
"Ercole, Sansone, Maciste e Ursus gli invincibili" (original title)

Four muscular heroes fight the evil ruler of an oppressed people.

Director:

Giorgio Capitani

Writers:

Sandro Continenza (screenplay), Sandro Continenza (story),

Stars:

Sergio Ciani, Howard Ross, Nadir Moretti

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sergio Ciani	...	Hercules (as Alan Steel)
Howard Ross	...	Maciste
Nadir Moretti	...	Samson (as Nadir Baltimore)
Yann Larvor	...	Ursus (as Yann L'Arvor)
Luciano Marin	...	Inor
Hélène Chanel
Lia Zoppelli	...	Nemea
Moira Orfei	...	Dalila
Arnaldo Fabrizio	...	Goliath il nano
Livio Lorenzon
Nino Dal Fabbro
Elisa Montés	...	Omphale
María Luisa Ponte	...	Mujer de Ursus
Conrado San Martín	...	Marinero
Valentino Macchi

Storyline

Four muscular heroes fight the evil ruler of an oppressed people.

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Plot Keywords:

sword and fantasy | brawl | greco roman wrestling | disarming someone | fist fight | 

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Genres:

Action | Fantasy | Adventure | Comedy

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Details

Country:

Italy Spain France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

12 November 1964 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Samson and the Seven Challenges

Filming Locations:

Italy

Box Office

Gross:

ESP 20,424,603 (Spain)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Films Régent, PE Films (Productores Exhibidores Films S.A.), Senior Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into Hercules Returns (1993)

User Reviews

My favorite Sword and Sandal flick

As a lover of Ancient Greek mythology, I should have been offended and disappointed by this... "multicultural" flick that mixes up Greek Roman and Israeli mythology.

The truth is, that I've seen this movie a hell of a lot of times and every time I see it again, I get to like it more! First of all, because it was made like a parody of its own genre, than a serious flick with just the good ( muscled ) guy that massacres a universe of evil hordes, in order to get his beloved woman back, or save his friends.

"Samson and his Mighty Challenge" for me, resembles the innocence, purity of heart and boldness, the people of the 60's saw heroism! The heroes were pure and honorable. Even in one of the last scenes where the four heroes battle against each other AND Nemea's armies, this innocence, along side with a humorous sensation can easily be seen.

Hercules and Maciste fight themselves, when two soldiers interrupt them! They instantly forget their quarrel, beat up the soldiers, smile to each other...and they begin beating one another, again! In my opinion one of the finest Sword and Sorcery extravaganzas ever made! An excellent parody, of its time!

10/10 for me!