Aphrodite, Goddess of Love (1958)

The construction of great temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, followed by new and high taxes and the arrival of a plague, create discontent in the population, and threatens the love between a sculptor and a slave.

Director:

Mario Bonnard

Writers:

Mario Bonnard (screenplay), Mario Bonnard (story)

Stars:

Isabelle Corey, Anthony Steffen, Irène Tunc

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Isabelle Corey	...	Lerna (as Isobel Corey)
Anthony Steffen	...	Demetrio (as Antonio de Teffe)
Irène Tunc	...	Diala
Ivo Garrani	...	Antigono (as Ino Garrani)
Giulio Donnini	...	Erasto
Carlo Tamberlani	...	Matteo
Gian Paolo Rosmino	...	Dineo (as Giampaolo Rosmino)
Andrea Aureli	...	Kibur
Matteo Spinola	...	Glauco
Adriano Micantoni	...	Ftire
Mino Doro	...	Crepilo
Germano Longo	...	Osco
Paul Muller	...	L'Asiatico (as Paolo Muller)
Livio Lorenzon	...	La Spia (as Silvio Lorenzon)
Liliana Gerace	...	La Veggente

Storyline

Antigonus, archon of Corinth, wants to build a magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, for which the people are oppressed by new and very high taxes. The sculptor Demetrius, asked to make the face of the goddess Diana, falls in love with a slave, the Christian Lerna. With the arrival of the plague the people are increasingly discontented and Antigonus has easy game accusing the Christians who are immediately arrested and sentenced to death. The Roman troops arrive to restore order, saving the two lovers Demetrius and Lerna.

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Plot Keywords:

roman salute | bare chested male | bare chested male bondage | whipping | peplum | 

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Taglines:

Slave of Love or Goddess of Sin?

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 27605 delivered on 26-8-1958.

User Reviews

Well-mounted, old fashioned Italian costume drama

APHRODITE, GODDESS OF LOVE is a straightforward costume drama from Italy. Bizarrely, the version I watched on Amazon Prime was dubbed into French with English subtitles. The film has more in common with the staged and old-fashioned costume dramas of the 1950s than the all-action sword and sandal excitement of the post-HERCULES peplum wave, but fans of Italian cinema will probably still enjoy it.

The film tells the intriguing tale of Antigone, a man obsessed with building a temple to the titular deity. Unfortunately his plans are thwarted by plague and a disgruntled populace, and he turns on the Christians in the vicinity as a result. The main character in the film, Demetrius, is a sculptor who falls in love with a Christian slave girl, with harrowing results.

This story is well mounted by genre standards and very colourful. The costumes look and feel authentic. Sergio Leone had a hand in the script and also worked on the story as assistant director. Fans of Italian cinema will spot the likes of Anthony Steffen as the skinny hero alongside bit parts from Paul Muller and Massimo Serato. Best of the lot is Ivo Garrani's delightfully scheming Antigone.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

29 August 1958 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love

Company Credits

Production Co:

Schermi Produzione

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastman Color by Pathe) Color (Ferraniacolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1