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	...	Eurylochus
Sylvie	...	Eurycleia
Franco Interlenghi	...	Telemachus
Elena Zareschi	...	Cassandra
Evi Maltagliati	...	Ulysses' Mother
Ludmilla Dudarova	...	Arete
Tania Weber	...	Leucantes
Piero Lulli	...	Achilles
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:

warrior | return home | odyssey | husband wife relationship | greek mythology | 

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Taglines:

Ulysses Leads His Warriors Through History's Greatest Adventure!

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy France USA

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)

Gross USA:

$2,200,000, 31 December 1955

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

Initially, the film was to be shot using a new '3-4 process' developed by the Richardson Camera Company, which allowed parallel filming of 3-D and non-3D versions.The 3D version was not presented.

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Goofs

Ulysses, being Greek, would have referred to the god of the sea as Poseidon, not Neptune. Neptune was the Roman name for the god of the sea. (Anyway, Ulysses itself is the Roman name of Odysseus.)

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Quotes

Circe: What are you doing, Ulysses? Do you really think you can leave me?
Ulysses: I left you a long time ago. The day my men died in the storm.
Circe: And do you think your journey will last any longer than theirs?
Ulysses: You will not hold me here.
Circe: Listen to me! I shall give you something that will make you forget all your petty dreams. Your miserable kingdom. Your wife who grows old. Remain, and this very night, Olympus shall welcome a new god: Ulysses!
Ulysses: Immortal?
Circe: This is my gift - the greatest gift that has ever been ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Beautiful People (2001)

User Reviews

" The Gods are Playful and without Mercy "

Any history class which desires to imbue students with imagination, needs this film in their library on Ancient Greece. In 1955 this movie on the wanderings of the Trojan Hero "Ulysses" made it's way across the country. In the professional opinion of many a history teacher, this movie fell far short of being historically accurate, but in it's basic rendition of Homer's classical, it proved a masterpiece. In this version, fans saw the Greek Ithican King as portrayed by Kirk Douglas. For his fans it was a perfect role and one which convinced us, he was indeed a true thespian. Through his legendary encounters with the Titan, Polythemeus, The Sirens of the rocks, and of course, Circe, the witch, he is pitted against all the ancient Gods. But it is his final challenge by the suitors who wish to claim his wife and throne, which is his greatest threat, for they are led by the champion Antinoos (Anthony Quinn), from the island of Encephelonea. Only through a special contest and with the help of Athena, can he regain his kingdom, his wife and his son. This is a classic in its own right and like our hero, has never been equaled. ****