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IMDbPro

The Colossus of Rhodes

Original title: Il colosso di Rodi
  • 19611961
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 7m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:26
1 Video
60 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • History
While holidaying in Rhodes, an Athenian war hero becomes involved in two plots to overthrow the tyrannical king: one from Rhodian patriots, and the other from sinister Phoenician agents.While holidaying in Rhodes, an Athenian war hero becomes involved in two plots to overthrow the tyrannical king: one from Rhodian patriots, and the other from sinister Phoenician agents.While holidaying in Rhodes, an Athenian war hero becomes involved in two plots to overthrow the tyrannical king: one from Rhodian patriots, and the other from sinister Phoenician agents.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Sergio Leone
  • Writers
    • Ennio De Concini(story)
    • Sergio Leone(story)
    • Cesare Seccia(story)
  • Stars
    • Rory Calhoun
    • Lea Massari
    • Georges Marchal
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sergio Leone
  • Writers
    • Ennio De Concini(story)
    • Sergio Leone(story)
    • Cesare Seccia(story)
  • Stars
    • Rory Calhoun
    • Lea Massari
    • Georges Marchal
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 33User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Colossus of Rhodes
    Trailer 2:26
    The Colossus of Rhodes

    Photos60

    The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    Land of the Pharaohs (1955)
    The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    Mabel Karr in The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    Rory Calhoun, Mabel Karr, and George Rigaud in The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    Rory Calhoun and Lea Massari in The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    Fernando Calzado and Conrado San Martín in The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    Rory Calhoun and Conrado San Martín in The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    Lea Massari in The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
    Rory Calhoun, Mabel Karr, and Georges Marchal in The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rory Calhoun
    Rory Calhoun
    • Dario
    Lea Massari
    Lea Massari
    • Diala
    Georges Marchal
    Georges Marchal
    • Peliocle
    • (as George Marchal)
    Conrado San Martín
    Conrado San Martín
    • Tireo
    • (as Conrado Sanmartin)
    • …
    Ángel Aranda
    Ángel Aranda
    • Koros
    Mabel Karr
    Mabel Karr
    • Mirte
    Mimmo Palmara
    Mimmo Palmara
    • Ares
    Roberto Camardiel
    Roberto Camardiel
    • Serse
    Alfio Caltabiano
    • Creonte
    • (as Alf Randal)
    George Rigaud
    George Rigaud
    • Lisippo
    • (as Jorge Rigaud)
    Yann Larvor
    • Mahor
    Carlo Tamberlani
    Carlo Tamberlani
    • Xenon
    Félix Fernández
    Félix Fernández
    • Carete
    Ignazio Dolce
    Ignazio Dolce
    Antonio Casas
    Antonio Casas
    • Phoenician Ambassador
    Fernando Calzado
    • Sirione
    Arturo Cabré
      Álvaro de Luna
      Álvaro de Luna
        • Director
          • Sergio Leone
        • Writers
          • Ennio De Concini(story) (screenplay)
          • Sergio Leone(story) (screenplay)
          • Cesare Seccia(story) (screenplay)
        • All cast & crew
        • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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        Storyline

        Edit

        Did you know

        Edit
        • Trivia
          One of the few films to be set in the Hellenic period that spanned the period from the death of Alexander the Great to the rise of Rome as a world power.
        • Goofs
          The picture dates itself to 280 BCE. The island of Rhodes is shown as an independent state, which is true enough for the time; however, it's alleged to have a king although Rhodes was a republic at the time. The king bears an uncharacteristic non-Greek name: Serse, an Italian corruption of Xerxes, a Greek corruption of an Iranian name that it scarcely resembles. The king receives an ambassador from Phoenicia - at the time an integral part of the Seleukid Empire (Syria). Greece is referred to as if a united country, which at the time was untrue - divided as it was between Attika, Lakaidemon, the Akhaian League, the Aitolian League, Epiros, Makedon, and other states.
        • Quotes

          Mirte: [seductively] I can grant your most secret desire.

          Darios: Which one?

        • Alternate versions
          There are several different versions, running from 126 minutes to 142 minutes. The French version is shortest but has some longer shots than English and German version. The Italian original is available in a restored 142 minute long version which contains all scenes. The main title sequence also differs between versions.
        • Connections
          Edited into Caligula et Messaline (1981)

        User reviews33

        Review
        Top review
        6/10
        Classic but overlong Peplum by the great Sergio Leone
        After dieing Alexander the Great , his empire was split itself originating some independent kingdoms ruled by descendants of the Alexander's generals, this one was called the Hellenistic time. In fact , this is one of the few films to be set in the Hellenic period that spanned the period from the death of Alexander the Great to the rise of Rome as a world power . It's set in 280 B.C , the starring is Dario (a likable Rory Calhoun , though the original choice for the role of Darios was John Derek) an Athenian on holidays living in Rodi with his uncle Lisipo (Jorge Rigaud) . There he meets a good girl (Mabel Karr, wife to Fernando Rey, starring in The last days of Pompeii) and a bad girl (a gorgeous Lea Massari) . A tyrant (Roberto Camardiel) and his hoodlum (Conrado San Martin) govern tyrannically the town . But rebels led by Peliocles (Georges Marchal) fight against the nasty rulers . Meanwhile, a Phoenician army attempts to attack Rodi . Dario trying to clean up the doomed Rodhes town from enemies and a foreign invasion .

        Some years before conducting a master class on the art of widescreen composition in The good , the bad and the ugly , Sergio Leone directed his credited directorial debut , though he had previously stepped in to finish most of The Last Days Of Pompeii when the original director fell ill, with this equally epic sword and sandal film starring American cowboy actor Rory Calhoun. Ample cast formed by American Rory Calhoun and familiar faces as Spanish as Italian actors ; Rory was in Italy for the title role in MGM's Marco Polo (1962), stepped into the lead role of "Colossus" on only one day's notice . Roy is solid and sympathetic though uninspired in the lead role as a honest adventurer caught up in the prior momentous to earthquake that threatens noblemen and slaves alike , but acting honors go to the villains played by Roberto Camardiel and Conrado San Martin . It's an European co-production by Spain/Italy/France with several actors from various countries , the screenplay was reportedly the work of nine screenwriters and filmed in lavish Budget . Leone's dynamic framing of the towering statue at the center of the film combined with the frenetic action scenes set on top of it made sure the Saturday matinée crowd stayed glued to their seats for the film's excessive 128 min. running time . This historical epic about the Hellenistic time bears no relation whatsoever to real events and much of the dialog is of the wooden variety . In fact some scenarios contain abundant anachronism such as 'the Garden of the Granja of Segovia' built in XVIII century . The highlights are the images of the Colosso , one of the marvels of the world . The real Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was 32 meters high and stood on a hill , the cinematic version stands 110 meters and its legs bestride the harbor . In the pier of Laredo (Cantabria, Spain) was built feet , and head and shoulders were made in ordinary size and a maquette reflecting its whole splendor . Some spectacular scenes including the explosive climax when ground shaking and the town blows its top .

        Colorful cinematography by Antonio Ballesteros , the widescreen process used is TotalScope, an Italian version of Cinemascope and evocative musical score by Angelo Francesco Lavagnino . The film bears remarkable resemblance to 'Last days of Pompeii' by Mario Bonnard and Sergio Leone, such as the earthquake in which numerous images are taken , repeat several actors actors as Mimmo Palmara , Carlo Tamberlani, and of course, technicians, producers, writers : Ennio De Concini, Duccio Tessari, same cameraman : Antonio L. Ballesteros and assistant direction, Jorge Grau, among others . The motion picture was professionally directed by Sergio Leone . Although he had experience directing other films, this was the first to give full on-screen credit to Sergio .
        helpful•18
        4
        • ma-cortes
        • Aug 4, 2009

        Details

        Edit
        • Release date
          • August 11, 1961 (France)
        • Countries of origin
          • Italy
          • France
          • Spain
        • Language
          • Italian
        • Also known as
          • Velikan z Rodosa
        • Filming locations
          • Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean
        • Production companies
          • Cine-Produzioni Associate
          • Procusa
          • Comptoir Français de Productions Cinématographiques (CFPC)
        • See more company credits at IMDbPro

        Technical specs

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        • Runtime
          2 hours 7 minutes
        • Aspect ratio
          • 2.35 : 1

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