“And On The Eighth Day Bava Created Color.” That’s my sentiment with every new quality restoration of a Mario Bava picture. This amazing new disc of Il Maestro’s teeth-clenched Viking epic delivers stunning action scenes and eye-bending widescreen fantasy visuals. Arrow’s Blu-ray is spiked with a new Tim Lucas commentary.
Erik the Conqueror
Blu-ray + DVD
Arrow Video USA
1961 / Color / 2:35 widescreen (Dyaliscope) / 90 min. / Street Date August 29, 2017 / Available from Arrow Video / 39.95
Starring: Cameron Mitchell, Alice & Ellen Kessler, George Ardisson, Andrea Checchi, Françoise Christophe, Raf Baldassarre, Joe Robinson, Folco Lulli.
Cinematography: Mario Bava, Ubaldo Terzano
Film Editor: Mario Serandrei
Original Music: Roberto Nicolosi
Written by Oreste Biancoli, Mario Bava
Produced by Ferruccio De Martino
Directed by Mario Bava
Far too good to be slammed as a mere imitation of Richard Fleischer’s The Vikings, Mario Bava’s exciting Erik the Conqueror is one of the best of the Italian-made...
Erik the Conqueror
Blu-ray + DVD
Arrow Video USA
1961 / Color / 2:35 widescreen (Dyaliscope) / 90 min. / Street Date August 29, 2017 / Available from Arrow Video / 39.95
Starring: Cameron Mitchell, Alice & Ellen Kessler, George Ardisson, Andrea Checchi, Françoise Christophe, Raf Baldassarre, Joe Robinson, Folco Lulli.
Cinematography: Mario Bava, Ubaldo Terzano
Film Editor: Mario Serandrei
Original Music: Roberto Nicolosi
Written by Oreste Biancoli, Mario Bava
Produced by Ferruccio De Martino
Directed by Mario Bava
Far too good to be slammed as a mere imitation of Richard Fleischer’s The Vikings, Mario Bava’s exciting Erik the Conqueror is one of the best of the Italian-made...
- 9/19/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The world of film-related books has been dominated by Star Wars for the last two years, and that’s not a bad thing. With insightful authors like Pablo Hidalgo and gorgeous efforts like Star Wars: Galactic Maps, there has never been a better time to be force-crazed. This month is no exception, but you’ll also find new releases about Hitchcock, the Marx Brothers, and even two involving X-Files prequels. Let’s start with a book that took on new relevance just weeks after its release.
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher (Blue Rider Press)
Carrie Fisher’s The Princess Diarist, a hilarious and touching look at her life as Star Wars icon Princess Leia, was a must-read even before the sudden, shocking passing of its author in December. It is even more poignant now. While the book earned pre-release buzz over its revelation of an on-set affair with Harrison Ford,...
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher (Blue Rider Press)
Carrie Fisher’s The Princess Diarist, a hilarious and touching look at her life as Star Wars icon Princess Leia, was a must-read even before the sudden, shocking passing of its author in December. It is even more poignant now. While the book earned pre-release buzz over its revelation of an on-set affair with Harrison Ford,...
- 2/13/2017
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
Let's give a cheer for the lowly sword 'n' sandal epic. This persecution and torture spectacle also takes in the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. The impressively mounted Italian-Spanish production stars Rhonda Fleming, Fernando Rey, Wandisa Guida, and as the slimy villain, none other than Serge Gainsbourg. Revolt of the Slaves MGM Limited Edition Collection 1960 / Color / 2:35 enhanced widescreen (Totalscope) / 103 min. / La rivolta degli schiavi / Street Date February 16, 2016 / available through Screen Archives Entertainment / 19.98 Starring Rhonda Fleming, Lang Jeffries, Darío Moreno, Ettore Manni, Wandisa Guida, Gino Cervi, Fernando Rey, Serge Gainsbourg, José Nieto, Benno Hoffmann, Rainer Penkert, Antonio Casas, Vanoye Aikens, Dolores Francine, Burt Nelson, Julio Peña . Cinematography Cecilio Paniagua Film Editor Eraldo Da Roma Original Music Angelo Francesco Lavagnino Written by Stefano Strucchi, Duccio Tessari, Daniel Mainwearing from the novel 'Fabiola' by Nicholas Patrick Wiseman Produced by Paolo Moffa Directed by Nunzio Malasomma
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Make all...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Make all...
- 3/1/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Johanna Bennett’s and Mandy Ward’s third annual celebration of first time filmmakers concluded on March 9 with a tribute to no one other than Harvey Weinstein. The festival, one that puts forth newly formed filmmakers with the audience they deserve, makes sure that all aspects of filmmaking are met and that the aspiring filmmakers know what to do with their next film. Weinstein, of the famed The Weinstein Company, along with his brother Bob, has shown himself over the years to have supported first time filmmakers when no one else would. And his trust in these filmmakers have only proven themselves to be some of today’s best directors, writers, actors, and more.
In many ways, Weinstein’s support of such filmmakers has created them. Quentin Tarantino would not be a household name had Weinstein not decided to produce Reservoir Dogs, the same goes for Steven Soderbergh’s Sex,...
In many ways, Weinstein’s support of such filmmakers has created them. Quentin Tarantino would not be a household name had Weinstein not decided to produce Reservoir Dogs, the same goes for Steven Soderbergh’s Sex,...
- 3/16/2015
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
Steve Reeves and Sylva Koscina in "Hercules Unchained", as featured in the latest issue of Cinema Retro (#30).
The latest issue of "Cinema Retro" is out and what do I see, but an article about films that are dear to my heart. As a child of the Sixties, the sword and sandal movies (aka peplum) meant a lot to me. Specifically the films of Hercules, himself; none other than Steve Reeves. Interestingly enough, while these movies were made to get people out of their houses and into the theatres, here in the Us in the early Sixties they made a bigger splash when they were released to television. I was a little too young to see Steve Reeves’ "Hercules" when it was released in theatres, but when it was released to TV; that's when the avalanche began. For those of us watching the boob tube in the early Sixties, Hercules and his brethren were our heroes.
The latest issue of "Cinema Retro" is out and what do I see, but an article about films that are dear to my heart. As a child of the Sixties, the sword and sandal movies (aka peplum) meant a lot to me. Specifically the films of Hercules, himself; none other than Steve Reeves. Interestingly enough, while these movies were made to get people out of their houses and into the theatres, here in the Us in the early Sixties they made a bigger splash when they were released to television. I was a little too young to see Steve Reeves’ "Hercules" when it was released in theatres, but when it was released to TV; that's when the avalanche began. For those of us watching the boob tube in the early Sixties, Hercules and his brethren were our heroes.
- 10/23/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
At a Zurich Film Festival masterclass, the mogul also confirms plans to direct Mila 18 “sooner rather than later.”
Harvey Weinstein, speaking at a Masterclass at the Zurich Film Festival, said that this year’s Oscars race is “the most competitive season I’ve ever seen.”
He was responding to a question from the audience about Olivier Dahan’s Grace of Monaco starring Nicole Kidman being moved back from November 2013 to spring 2014. Weinstein said this was simply a case of the film not being ready. “The only reason is because it just wasn’t ready…The score wasn’t ready, a lot of things weren’t ready…Also we’ve played no festivals on that movie, so it’s hard to get into an Oscar race without at least some festival exposure. The movie is going to be fantastic, and very glamorous. I think this could be bigger than My Week With Marilyn and in the same category...
Harvey Weinstein, speaking at a Masterclass at the Zurich Film Festival, said that this year’s Oscars race is “the most competitive season I’ve ever seen.”
He was responding to a question from the audience about Olivier Dahan’s Grace of Monaco starring Nicole Kidman being moved back from November 2013 to spring 2014. Weinstein said this was simply a case of the film not being ready. “The only reason is because it just wasn’t ready…The score wasn’t ready, a lot of things weren’t ready…Also we’ve played no festivals on that movie, so it’s hard to get into an Oscar race without at least some festival exposure. The movie is going to be fantastic, and very glamorous. I think this could be bigger than My Week With Marilyn and in the same category...
- 9/29/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
At a Zurich Film Festival masterclass, the mogul also confirms plans to direct Mila 18 “sooner rather than later.”
Harvey Weinstein, speaking at a Masterclass at the Zurich Film Festival, said that this year’s Oscars race is “the most competitive season I’ve ever seen.”
He was responding to a question from the audience about Olivier Dahan’s Grace of Monaco starring Nicole Kidman being moved back from November 2013 to spring 2014. Weinstein said this was simply a case of the film not being ready. “The only reason is because it just wasn’t ready…The score wasn’t ready, a lot of things weren’t ready…Also we’ve played no festivals on that movie, so it’s hard to get into an Oscar race without at least some festival exposure. The movie is going to be fantastic, and very glamorous. I think this could be bigger than My Week With Marilyn and in the same category...
Harvey Weinstein, speaking at a Masterclass at the Zurich Film Festival, said that this year’s Oscars race is “the most competitive season I’ve ever seen.”
He was responding to a question from the audience about Olivier Dahan’s Grace of Monaco starring Nicole Kidman being moved back from November 2013 to spring 2014. Weinstein said this was simply a case of the film not being ready. “The only reason is because it just wasn’t ready…The score wasn’t ready, a lot of things weren’t ready…Also we’ve played no festivals on that movie, so it’s hard to get into an Oscar race without at least some festival exposure. The movie is going to be fantastic, and very glamorous. I think this could be bigger than My Week With Marilyn and in the same category...
- 9/29/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Let's not kid ourselves here. While the ancient Greek or Roman epic certainly has literary and cultural value, we also know that films and television shows based on Greek or Roman history and myth also have a side-benefit: a little something I like to call the loincloth.
Here we take a look at some of the most impressive physiques in skimpy costumes that have graced the screens both big and small.
Steve Reeves in Hercules and Hercules Unchained
Though he played a slew of other heroes in sword and sandal films, Steve Reeves is best known for playing the role of Hercules in the spectacularly bad yet somehow still-watchable films by Italian director Pietro Francisci. Cast for his physique rather than his acting ability, Reeves still made quite the impression on viewers, as the films are still cult favorites to this day. Reeves became so well known as the hunky half-naked guy,...
Here we take a look at some of the most impressive physiques in skimpy costumes that have graced the screens both big and small.
Steve Reeves in Hercules and Hercules Unchained
Though he played a slew of other heroes in sword and sandal films, Steve Reeves is best known for playing the role of Hercules in the spectacularly bad yet somehow still-watchable films by Italian director Pietro Francisci. Cast for his physique rather than his acting ability, Reeves still made quite the impression on viewers, as the films are still cult favorites to this day. Reeves became so well known as the hunky half-naked guy,...
- 11/11/2011
- by JT Riley
- The Backlot
Ever since he was a kid, Joe Queenan has loved movies featuring Vikings or Greeks. But which is the best? Hold on to your heads as he wades into a very bloody battle
In the vastly underrated 2005 Anglo-Icelandic-Canadian film Beowulf & Grendel, the actress Sarah Polley refuses to go along with the gag, stubbornly clinging to her flat, emotionless, early 21st-century Canadian accent. Everyone knows that Norse sagas only work if everybody in the cast keeps a straight face and sticks to the Hrothgar of Elfungstan intonations, if all hands on deck refrain from smirking and winking at the audience when Ulrich of Vlinkstenndntmarksendondt declares: "Great are the tales of the Spear-Danes. Some tales sail; others sink below the waves."
Gerard Butler (Beowulf) certainly understands that, adroitly fudging a fifth-century Geat accent by using his authentic, all-purpose Scottish burr: the perfect one-size-fits-all accent for any movie set in any era preceding the discovery of penicillin.
In the vastly underrated 2005 Anglo-Icelandic-Canadian film Beowulf & Grendel, the actress Sarah Polley refuses to go along with the gag, stubbornly clinging to her flat, emotionless, early 21st-century Canadian accent. Everyone knows that Norse sagas only work if everybody in the cast keeps a straight face and sticks to the Hrothgar of Elfungstan intonations, if all hands on deck refrain from smirking and winking at the audience when Ulrich of Vlinkstenndntmarksendondt declares: "Great are the tales of the Spear-Danes. Some tales sail; others sink below the waves."
Gerard Butler (Beowulf) certainly understands that, adroitly fudging a fifth-century Geat accent by using his authentic, all-purpose Scottish burr: the perfect one-size-fits-all accent for any movie set in any era preceding the discovery of penicillin.
- 3/18/2010
- by Joe Queenan
- The Guardian - Film News
First there was "Hercules Unchained,"now there's Spartacus unclothed. And when that real-life, first-century slave-turned-rebel leader is not very graphically doing the nudie nasty in the new Starz series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," he's very graphically chopping people's legs off, taking out their eyes and severing their heads. Yes, I'm talking about that Spartacus, the Thracian slave who really lived and who, in 73 Ad Rome, led a slave uprising that grew into an insurgency of more than 120,000 slaves, which flourished until they were defeated and killed off.
- 1/19/2010
- by By LINDA STASI
- NYPost.com
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