Peplum Paradise Part 1: Italian Historical and Fantasy films 1949-1969
This is a list of historical (set pre-1800) or historical-fantasy films produced or co-produced by Italy between 1949-1969 - the golden years of peplum/sword and sandal films.
The list is alphabetical using the most common English titles (where applicable), so the IMDb titles may appear to be all over the place alphabetically.
Hopefully this list is as complete as possible, but I would welcome any suggestions of titles I may have omitted.
I have included a few additional titles at the end of the main list which bear some relevance to the subject.
I will be updating the list regularly with new and expanded reviews and any new titles that I may discover.
Latest Updates:
Expanded Review: Women Of Devil's Island (1962)
Expanded Review: Charge Of The Black Lancers (1962)
New Review: The Magnificent Adventurer (1963)
New Review: Zenabel (1969)
New Review: Tower Of Screaming Virgins (1968)
To keep up with my latest reviews join my "Peplum Paradise" Facebook group.
Please note that I am not in the business of selling copies of films, only exchanging with other collectors.
This list is a companion piece to my other lists - I did have them linked but IMDb messed them up so I'm afraid you'll have to search by title on Google or look in my "Other Lists" box if there is one in the right panel:
Peplum Paradise Part 2: Italian Historical and Fantasy films from 1970 onwards
Peplum Paradise Part 3: International Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards
Peplum Paradise Part 4: Asian Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards
Peplum Paradise Part 5: Animated Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards
Peplum Paradise Part 6: Historical and Fantasy films Pre-1949
Peplum Paradise Part 7: Historical and Fantasy Dramatic TV Productions
The list is alphabetical using the most common English titles (where applicable), so the IMDb titles may appear to be all over the place alphabetically.
Hopefully this list is as complete as possible, but I would welcome any suggestions of titles I may have omitted.
I have included a few additional titles at the end of the main list which bear some relevance to the subject.
I will be updating the list regularly with new and expanded reviews and any new titles that I may discover.
Latest Updates:
Expanded Review: Women Of Devil's Island (1962)
Expanded Review: Charge Of The Black Lancers (1962)
New Review: The Magnificent Adventurer (1963)
New Review: Zenabel (1969)
New Review: Tower Of Screaming Virgins (1968)
To keep up with my latest reviews join my "Peplum Paradise" Facebook group.
Please note that I am not in the business of selling copies of films, only exchanging with other collectors.
This list is a companion piece to my other lists - I did have them linked but IMDb messed them up so I'm afraid you'll have to search by title on Google or look in my "Other Lists" box if there is one in the right panel:
Peplum Paradise Part 2: Italian Historical and Fantasy films from 1970 onwards
Peplum Paradise Part 3: International Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards
Peplum Paradise Part 4: Asian Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards
Peplum Paradise Part 5: Animated Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards
Peplum Paradise Part 6: Historical and Fantasy films Pre-1949
Peplum Paradise Part 7: Historical and Fantasy Dramatic TV Productions
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- DirectorGuido SalviniStarsValentina CorteseGabriele FerzettiOlga VilliWhen famous actress Adriana Lecouvreur is attacked by criminals, she is saved by the timely intervention of Maurice of Saxony; a passionate love springs up between them.Wanted!
- DirectorMario SoldatiStarsRaf ValloneJacques CastelotSilvana PampaniniMandrin, the French army deserter, becomes the leader of a gang of smugglers in Piedmont. He is loved by the beautiful innkeeper Rosetta but draws attention to the Marquise de Montbricourt, favorite of the king, who comes from Versailles just to see him. She will saved his life and allow him to marry Rosetta.THE ADVENTURES OF MANDERIN
Like quite a number of 50’s and 60’s Italian productions, this one originally received a wide international release but today remains noticeable in it’s absence in any DVD or video release in any language, though fortunately I was able to discover an Italian language print online and it is this one I am reviewing. Raf Vallone plays the title character, a notorious real-life thief and highwayman in 18th century France and a hero to the poor. Anyone viewing it under either of the alternative English language titles might understandably feel short-changed since it is not much of a romance, does not feature Don Juan, and the character of Madame de Beaudricourt (Michele Phillippe), a favourite of the King whose character resembles the notorious Madame de Pompadour, only appears half way through and then only briefly. There are apparently a number of historical inaccuracies (for instance there is no evidence that Manderin and Madame de Pompadour ever met), but these aren’t really relevant to your enjoyment of the film. It is a fairly lively and likeable adventure, which doesn’t take itself too seriously and can be enjoyed even without a full understanding of the language you are watching it in. - DirectorAntonio Isasi-IsasmendiStarsGérard BarrayMichèle GirardonGianna Maria CanaleThe adventures of Robert Lafleur, alias Scaramouche, are the sensation of his time, thanks to his talent as an actor and charm as an incorrigible seducer. He becomes the enemy of the Marquis de la Tour when he makes a conquest of his mistress, the ravishing Madame de Popignan. His world is thrown into a turmoil when, one day, the Marquis de Souchil recognizes Scaramouche as the illegitimate son of the Duke de Froissard.THE ADVENTURES OF SCARAMOUCHE
Enjoyable period costume romp, with all the intrigue and infidelity you would expect from this particularly French genre (unusually shot in Spain). Primarily of interest today for it’s featuring four female genre stars; Gianna Maria Canale, who has surprisingly little screen time given her third billing status, Michele Giradon, who forayed into peplum with “Devil of the Desert against the Son of Hercules”, Yvette Lebon, who had featured roles in “Cleopatra’s Daughter” and “Ulysses against the Son of Hercules”, and an unbilled Helga Liné, whose next film, “Goliath at the conquest of Damascus” established her as a peplum name. Gerard Barray is on familiar ground playing the title role, an actor who spends more time in women’s boudoirs or duelling than he ever does on stage, which will be familiar to western audiences from the 1952 Hollywood version, which starred Stewart Granger. It’s all inconsequential fluff of course, but well directed and edited at such a relentless pace that you barely have time to pause for breath. - DirectorUmberto LenziStarsRichard HarrisonWandisa GuidaUgo SassoThis action-packed adventure/jungle film starts out when three British soldiers stationed in Malaysia are sent to Fort Madras to help the commandant fight off an elusive bandit who is terrorizing the countryside.This above average entry in the ‘British in India’ peplum sub-genre is far more fun than any of the ‘Sandokan’ series. Richard Harrison, Ugo Sasso and Nazzareno Zamperla are three renegade officers given a second chance when they are sent on a hopeless mission, surviving elephants, scorpions and headhunters along the way. All three play it tongue firmly in cheek, though it’s Sasso as the alcoholic doctor sneaking a drink at every opportunity who steals the show. On the minus side Harrison keeps his shirt on throughout, and Guida is wasted as little more than window dressing. The following year Harrison and Zamperla appeared together again in the similarly themed ‘Jungle Adventurer’.
Boyd's Review: Richard Harrison stars in one of the best Raj Peplums … Three soldiers have to find and destroy some guy called Sikki Dahma … Great name … And of course Wandisa Guida turns up as female eye fodder … Though the men were doing perfectly well without her … This one moves along at a great pace… All fairly tongue in cheek … Umberto Lenzi really does excel with this and turn it into a great Saturday afternoon fun family movie … And that’s not meant as a putdown … Well worth watching if it turns up an a screen near you soon - StarsBekim FehmiuCarlo AlighieroLeonard SteckelOdysseus' journey told in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. After fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus spends years trying to return home to Itaka.THE ADVENTURES OF ULYSSES
Following the inexplicably rapid demise of the peplum film industry in 1965-1966, several of the genre’s stars found work in this epic Italian mini-series produced three years later by the man responsible for launching the genre a decade earlier, Dino De Laurentis. Beautifully shot, but a little slow moving and dreamy, particularly for non-Italian or German speakers viewing the only available commercial options of the full-length version. Somewhat of an endurance test at over 6 hours in length (originally 7 ½ hours), but a rewarding one if you can last the talky first hour, and infinitely preferable to it’s nearest peplum relative, “The Giants Of Thessaly”. A fitting epitaph to the genre. The only English language version currently available from Video Screams runs 25 minutes shorter than even the US theatrical version, and only offers a frustrating glimpse of how this epic should be seen.
Boyd’s Review: This was one of my favourite discoveries of the year … How this 1968 Italian television adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey isn’t more well known is beyond me … It is visually totally spot on … I watched the whole 6 hours in Italian with no subtitles and it held me throughout … And Bava’s work on the Cyclops segment was wonderful to see … The set and costume design are just perfect … This is so obviously not a Hollywood production … It all looks real and possible … Perhaps a bit clean … But that is acceptable … It outshines Fellini’s Satyricon in as much as it has the wonderful design but non of the over indulgence …The acting … Even from Barbara Bach … Is perfect … Bekim Fehmiu and Irene Papas are superb … And the film lingers on endless beautiful faces… Male and female … Stylishly taking you into another world … And if this film proves one thing … Nobody could light a film like the Italians … Try and see this … Its marvellous … And it really does deserve a subtitled release - DirectorÉdouard MolinaroStarsJacques BrelClaude JadeBernard AlaneIn the amorous mid 18th century under Louis XV, a country doctor risks danger and prison to pursue his seduction of the women of the bourgeoisie.To be reviewed
- DirectorCarol ReedStarsCharlton HestonRex HarrisonDiane CilentoThe biographical story of Michelangelo's troubles while painting the Sistine Chapel at the urging of Pope Julius II.This is pretty much what you would expect from a biography of a man who spent the majority of his life sculpting and painting, namely it’s a lot less interesting than the subject matters of it’s subject. Before the actual film begins you are treated to a ten minute retrospective of the artist’s work, which while interesting and informative, is also rather frustrating while waiting for the story to start. That the film is likeable at all is, surprisingly, totally down to the central performance of Charlton Heston as Michaelangelo, though he is playing an annoying and arrogant ass (no comment). He is surprisingly, but somewhat effectively, paired with Rex Harrison as an unlikely Pope who doubles as military leader, while Diane Cilento is rather drab as the love interest the artist isn’t interested in. It probably comes to life about as much as is possible given the subject matter, but just remember that at times you will be watching paint dry – literally. Keep a look out for a number of familiar peplum names in small featured roles who are inexplicably missing from IMDb's credits including Rosalba Neri, Daniele Vargas and Giulio Donnini.
- DirectorClemente FracassiStarsRenata TebaldiEbe StignaniGino BechiAida, featuring the actress Sophia Loren, is a film adaptation of a theatre performance written by Verdi. The plot revolves around the character Radames who falls in love with what he thinks is a slave in a country his armies has conquered. The young woman is actually the daughter of the leader he ousted.A strange operatic adaptation which visually and thematically definitely falls within the peplum genre. It’s sumptuous to look at and contains some stunning sets, set pieces and dance routines, but the modern viewer has to contend with the decidedly odd sights of a pre-international fame Sophia Loren in black face and a pre-Miss Moneypenny Lois Maxwell singing/shouting at each other in other peoples voices as Ethopian slave and princess respectively. Add to that the ‘English language version’ having English narration, but no subtitles for the singing in Italian, and it’s pretty much all round bizarre. Of definite interest as an early peplum oddity though.
- DirectorCaro CanailleStarsJean DanetMagali NoëlRoberto RissoPascal's life should have been normal and happy. A shepherd in his native Provence, he was a friendly young man who very naturally fell in love with Vivette, the daughter of a rich farmer. But that was without counting with Marcellin, a spiteful, jealous man who coveted Vivette and wanted her for himself.The traitor managed to have Pascal enrolled in Napoleon's army. Pascal came close to death in Russia but miraculously survived. And fifteen years later vengeance would be his. Reunited with Vivette and the child he had given her, time had come for happiness.AL SERVIZIO DELL’IMPERATORE
Wanted! - DirectorEmimmo SalviStarsGordon MitchellBruno PiergentiliBella CortezA rebel leader returns to his city for a final confrontation with the evil king he is fighting. However, he finds himself attracted to the king's beautiful niece.ALI BABA AND THE SEVEN SARACENS
Colourful, visually untypical peplum, looking more like some 40’s Maria Montez opus. Otherwise it’s business as usual, with 8 representatives of opposing tribes (the Saracens) battling it out for rulership of the land, including nasty Omar (Gordon Mitchell looking far more at home as the over-tanned mascara wearing villain than he ever did as a hero) and the rather puny Ali Baba (Dan Harrison-real name Bruno Piergentili). Carla Caló, given a chance to play nasty for a change, relishes every lash of the whip she inflicts on her slave girls. Of note is that the scenes in the English and European language versions play in completely different order with little change in the end result. Be warned, this film contains an annoying dwarf AND an even more annoying mute eunuch!
Boyd’s Review: Now I might as well be honest from the outset, Gordon Mitchell frightens me. He looks like an untrustworthy cat and has one of those sinewy muscular bodies that I have always found a little repulsive. He is also a very bad actor. In this he plays Omar, the villain of the piece, and as soon as we get away from him ponsing round with some tart, to a scene in a torture chamber, you realise that it could all have been so much better without him. Anyway old Omar wants to take over the throne and to do that he has to fight 7 warriors who each represent one of the tribes of the country. Ali Baba is the head of the Mahariti, Omar’s most hated tribe. Princess Fatima meets Ali Baba when she finds him unconscious in the sand dunes, and later falls in love with him as soon as he starts pushing her around !!! They are captured by Omar’s forces, Ali meets a dwarf in prison, and Fatima ends up in the harem. The dwarf is small enough to squeeze through tunnels and take messages between them. Featuring dancing boys, face painting tramps, a harem revolt and dwarves with spears, you would think it would be more amusing than a bag of lambs intestines … but it isn’t. - DirectorLuciano RicciRiccardo FredaStarsLang JeffriesRossana PodestàPhilippe LeroyA Roman Consul, on his way to fight a border war, stations a garrison of soldiers in a provincial town. The townspeople aren't happy with this situation but decide it's in their best interests to cooperate. However, the Tribune left in charge of the garrison proves to be cruel and demanding. He takes over a house for his own use and forces his attentions on Fabiola, the owner's daughter. She reluctantly submits in order to protect the life of her lover, Brenno, who's already been publicly whipped and who's been hauled off to the local arena to provide sport for Roman gladiators. Soon, Brenno and Fabiola's brother are organizing a resistance which will put an end to the Tribune's reign of tyranny.ALONE AGAINST ROME
A more apt title would have been “Everybody Against Rome”, since when the Romans invade a town the locals do all they can to fight back. Poor Fabiola (Rossana Podesta) has it worse than most, as her family and household are humiliated, imprisoned and killed, her fiancé Brenno (Lang Jeffries) is whipped and taken off to gladiator school, and she herself is made plaything of Silla (Philippe Leroy), leader of the Roman garrison. Sub-par performances and a weak script mean there’s little of value here other than for diehard genre fans, though there are a couple of impressive gladiatorial sequences which appear to have been filmed in the actual Coliseum in Rome.
Boyd’s Review: Lang Jeffries and Rossana Podesta, who is as beautiful and glamorous as ever, can’t manage to save this rather pedestrian historical ‘Romans getting it wrong but everything turning out right in the end’ snooze fest...marred once again by insidious Christianity.. That is probably going to be the longest sentence I use in a while, but it’s all I have to say about this really. There’s nothing wrong with it...but there’s nothing right either. Having said that, Riccardo Freda directed the action scenes in the arena...he should have done the whole film. Although the print I saw was pan and scanned and sepia, I can’t see that seeing a crisp new transfer would make this anywhere near as good as a lot of people seem to think. - DirectorCamillo MastrocinqueStarsRenato RascelTina De MolaFlora MediniAlvaro hunts for a treasure, of which he owns only half the map.To be reviewed
- DirectorCarlo Ludovico BragagliaVittorio CottafaviPeter O'CordStarsLouis JourdanSylvia SymsJean ChevrierA warrior chieftain dashes between his barbaric allies and a beleaguered city that's being defended by embattled women warriors.AMAZONS OF ROME
Some of the most bizarre peplum casting finds Sylvia Syms as Clelia, leader of a band of mini-skirted female rebel Roman warriors (around 50 in number, although the script and tagline claim 1000). Equally unlikely mis-casting finds Louis Jourdan as Drusco, leader of the barbarian forces. Naturally the pair fall in love, and their union brings about a truce between the warring Italian factions. Standouts as always are the bad guys of the piece, Nicole Courcel as the vengeful Lucilla who demands Clelia be tied to a post, whipped and stripped naked (we get 2 ½ out of 3), and her scheming cohort Rasmal (Nicolas Vogel). Enjoyable as light entertainment, but historically dubious.
Boyd’s Review: Not a beefcake movie, this one more of a minor historical epic. With a good cast who take it all fairly seriously and for once it pays off. Louis Jourdan, Michel Piccoli and Sylvia Syms in a rare Euro movie outing, and she is really good. She was obviously going through a bit of a St Joan phase and she really has star quality in this film. It’s the Etruscans and the Barbarians against Rome in this one, good Battle scenes, decent storyline. Different in as much as it concentrates on the Roman women’s determination to fight for justice, if not alongside their men then on their own. Not that imaginative visually but up there with most higher budget material of the day and certainly worth watching for the scene where Syms is flogged and then stripped naked...and the trick played by the Barbarians to shield her modesty : )) The idea of course that being naked in Roman times would not bother anyone, but seeing this happen to Silvia Syms is another matter altogether. Well worth catching on a Sunday afternoon. - DirectorLuigi Latini de MarchiStarsClaudie LangeJoaquín BlancoAldo BertiWanted!
- DirectorRobert DarèneStarsFrançois PérierRossana PodestàRobert HirschTHE AMOROUS CORPORAL
Wanted! - DirectorClemente FracassiStarsAntonella LualdiRaf ValloneMichel AuclairAndrea Chenier, poet and politician, falls in love with an aristocratic girl also lusted after by the servant Gerard. The French Revolution breaks out and Chenier and Gerard are among the leaders, but Chenier is a moderate. It doesn't take long for Gerard to bring him before the Committee of Public Safety and have him condemned.Wanted!
- DirectorBernard BorderieStarsMichèle MercierRobert HosseinJean RochefortIn the first of the Angélique series, the beautiful feisty teenage heroine becomes entangled in a political assassination plot and is betrothed to a stranger who is twelve years her senior and a reputed sorcerer.It’s not difficult to see why this production had the great international success it did, though it’s hardly the stuff that one would imagine would have led to four sequels. It certainly has it’s charms, the production values are high, the photography attractive, and the performances likeable if unexceptional. The storyline however is mostly fluff along the lines of Beauty and the Beast, about a rude and rebellious girl in 1600’s France, forced to marry a disfigured man against her will, who eventually succumbs to his charms, only to see him sentenced to death for witchcraft. Michele Mercier, already a peplum veteran, turns in a feisty performance, and her willingness to frequently disrobe certainly can’t have hindered the box office. The film also has more peplum credentials than are initially apparent – in addition to the presence of Giuliano Gemma as Angelique’s true love, and Rosalba Neri inexplicably way down the cast list, the film was also partially filmed at Italy’s Cinecitta studios, as were all it’s sequels…and there’s a dwarf!
- DirectorBernard BorderieStarsMichèle MercierRobert HosseinJean RochefortIn the third of the Angélique series, the heroine is sent on a mission by King Louis XIV, and later finds herself the subject of rumors.ANGÉLIQUE AND THE KING
The third part of the Angelique saga gives you more of the same, with our heroine (Michele Mercier) seducing various kings, princes and assorted other males, but while the quality remains high and it works perfectly well as a continuation of the story, it does not work so well as a stand alone entertainment since it relies too heavily on a knowledge of what has gone before. The convenient disappearance of her second husband and reappearance of her first also stretches credibility somewhat. While there is less nudity on view than in previous episodes, there is a scene between Angelique and the Persian ambassador (Sami Frey) which is certainly as bizarrely kinky as anything that DeSade ever came up with, and also a devil-worship subplot which is never satisfactorily concluded. This is also the least ‘Italian’ of the series, having lost Gemma and Neri, and without the other familiar faces that would turn up in the following instalments. - DirectorBernard BorderieStarsMichèle MercierRobert HosseinJean-Claude PascalIn the fifth and final of the Angélique series, the beautiful heroine is sold into a sultan's harem.ANGÉLIQUE AND THE SULTAN
The fifth and final instalment in the Angelique saga carries on directly where Untameable Angelique left off and finds our heroine (Michele Mercier) a prisoner in the harem of the Persian sultan. This one boasts some beautiful locations and cinematography, but is the weakest in the series as a standalone entertainment. Another familiar peplum face crops up with Erno Crisa as the Turkish ambassador. - DirectorBernard BorderieStarsMichèle MercierClaude GiraudJean RochefortIn the second of the Angélique series, the heroine joins a group of bandits, rescues her children, becomes a successful businesswoman, and once again becomes entangled in politics and matters of the heart.The second instalment in the Angelique saga picks up where the first left off, with Angelique using all her wiles to regain her position in French society which she lost in the first film. Most of the cast return, including Michele Mercier as the flamboyant heroine, Giuliano Gemma, who rescued his childhood sweetheart at the end of the first part but dies early on here, and Rosalba Neri in an expanded role as a feisty gypsy trollope. The pace here is brisker, and the plot a little lighter, but the production values remain high and the picture is on a par with its predecessor.
- DirectorPietro FrancisciStarsAldo FiorelliSilvana PampaniniCarlo GiustiniFernando, a boy growing up in 1920's Italy, is inspired by reading a biography of Saint Anthony of Padua (after whom the city of San Antonio, Texas is named.) The wife of a young Roman painter who disappeared at the end of WWI goes to church with her son Fernando to pray to Saint Anthony for his return. After some time, the painter actually does return. Due to a head wound, he had lost his memory and recovered it on the same day his wife had invoked St. Anthony. The family visits St. Anthony's Basilica and purchases a book dedicated to Saint Anthony. The reading recalls the scenes and images in the life of the saint. The story is told entirely in flashbacks, as the adult Fernando recalls scenes from his childhood and, in turn, scenes from the life of the Saint.ANTHONY OF PADUA
Wanted! - DirectorMario BonnardStarsIsabelle CoreyAnthony SteffenIrène TuncThe 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.APHRODITE, GODDESS OF LOVE
“Gossips of Rome” would be a more apt title for this dull drama of backstabbing, dancing girls and Christians - in which the titular goddess fails to put in an appearance other than in statue form. Despite the best efforts of some of peplum’s most reliable supporting players to camp it up (the outrageously costumed Irene Tunc, along with Ivo Garrani and Mino Doro, are stand-outs), they fail to atone for the lack of action and muscle and two uncharismatic leads. Notable for containing some rare peplum nudity from Tunc.
Boyd’s Review: Good peplum cast, even Clara Calamai, “THAT” lady from Profundo Rosso, but it couldn’t save it for me, much too much religious nonsense. Well at least I think there was, only saw it in Italian. OK to look at, burning of Christians at stake and then getting bored and shooting arrows into them. Brief scene of tumbling beefcake, but unless there was a bloody good script then I think this one probably bombed. Bored me silly even though the baddie died of the plague in the end : ) - DirectorLeopoldo SavonaStarsJohn Drew BarrymoreScilla GabelGiacomo Rossi StuartUsing Leonardo Da Vinci's innovative designs for weapons of war, flying engines and other machinery, three brothers join forces to fight a wicked and powerful Duke in early-Renaissance Italy.ARMS OF THE AVENGER
As far as I was able to gather from the only available review copy in German, and no information on the internet whatsoever, what we have here is a costume revenge drama, with John Drew Barrymore, Giacomo Rossi Stuart and one other donning masks and becoming bandits after some event which happened before the opening credits drives them to it, in a Robin Hood sort of way. Good to see Barrymore surprisingly at ease in a non-villainous role for once. - DirectorCarlo Ludovico BragagliaStarsFrank LatimoreMilly VitalePierre CressoyAT SWORD'S EDGE
Wanted! - DirectorTanio BocciaStarsKirk MorrisMassimo SeratoOmbretta ColliThe czar Nicolas sends a secret mission of experts to find a hidden treasure. But at the same time he prepares a group of mercenaries who should kill the members of the mission after their return.ATLAS AGAINST THE CZAR
While searching for lost treasure some Russians uncover a sarcophagus containing the body of the blonde, permed Kirk Morris as Maciste (where did Atlas come from?). Rubbing some oil on his left nipple soon brings our hero back to life, and before you know it he is up and running around, stuffing his face, grunting fluent English/French/Italian/German (delete as appropriate), and wrecking havoc on the royal court, throwing Russians, horses, barbells and other heavy objects around, and managing to stay warm with only his skimpy posing pouch while all around him are decked to the nines in furs. Massimo Serato is on villain duty as the Czar of the title, ably assisted by Dada Gallotti and Giulio Donnini. This is as enjoyably daft as they get, though the first half hour is a bit slow with lots of people whose names all end in vich riding around and plotting, and not much action takes place until Maciste finally appears.
Boyd’s Review: OK, this one is set in Russia though some of the cast seem to be dressed as Eskimo’s and the palace looks distinctly Middle Eastern to me. Also I’ve only seen this in French, which isn’t the best language to watch these things in, especially when you don’t speak it. Anyway, Maciste doesn’t turn up till about 25 minutes into the film, when the Cossacks discover him buried in a cave. Then it takes them a couple more minutes to bring him back to life. Kirk Morris is Maciste, buff and horny, and manages to look not too farcical as he runs round in his loincloth when everyone else is dressed as Russians. Now I’m a bit vague as to the plot of this due to the language barrier, and unfortunately the director and cameraman are a bit lacking in style and imagination. It’s OK, but nothing special, really only worth watching for big Kirk Morris fans.