Peplum, mythology, sword & sorcery and biblical films I have seen
by Alberto-7 | created - 27 Aug 2015 | updated - 4 months ago | PublicPeplum, mythology, sword & sorcery and biblical films all on the same list.
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1. Hercules (1958)
G | 107 min | Adventure, Fantasy, History
The muscular Hercules performs his Labors, sails with the Argonauts, and romances the fair Iole.
Director: Pietro Francisci | Stars: Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Fabrizio Mioni, Ivo Garrani
Votes: 2,335 | Gross: $10.90M
The granddaddy of all modern Peplum films with Steve Reeves defining the role of Hercules. Some amazing action and enough fantasy to satisfy everyone. Sylva Koscina is also exquisite as Iole. This film has been greatly influenced by the 1949 Hollywood film Samson and Delilah. Probably the best Peplum of all time. Do not miss this one.
2. Hercules Unchained (1959)
G | 105 min | Adventure, Fantasy
While negotiating peace between two brothers contesting the throne of Thebes, an amnesiac Hercules is seduced by the evil Queen Omphale.
Directors: Pietro Francisci, Mario Bava | Stars: Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Gabriele Antonini, Patrizia Della Rovere
Votes: 2,323 | Gross: $5.45M
Good sequel to Hercules with a solid story and another great performance by Steve Reeves. Solid action throughout. The only problem is that it lacks the fantasy element so present in the first film. Sylva Koscina once again is excellent as Iole.
3. Goliath and the Dragon (1960)
Approved | 87 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A warrior returning home to his country must battle giant bats, three-headed dogs and a vicious dragon to save his wife, and his people, from the machinations of an evil ruler.
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi | Stars: Mark Forest, Broderick Crawford, Gaby André, Renato Terra
Votes: 615
Terrific peplum that has everything you would expect from this type of film: Hercules, a 3 headed fire breathing dog, a centaur, several love stories, a revenge plot, a tyrant, a slave queen, etc. Mark Forest is a fantastic Hercules, almost as good as Steve Reeves. The story moves along at a great clip and the acting is quite good for this type of film. I saw the European version(The Vengeance of Hercules) where the hero is Hercules and he is in conflict with his son Illo who loves an enslaved princess whose father, a king, was killed by the evil tyrant. In the American dub, the hero is changed to Goliath (apparently for copyright reasons) except in this version Illo is his brother which makes no sense to me. In any case, a great peplum, which unfortunately has the cheesiest monsters you have ever seen in these films(the bear is laughably inept and the man-bat hilarious). A great escape otherwise.
4. The Loves of Hercules (1960)
Not Rated | 98 min | Fantasy, Adventure
Hercules decides to avenge the death of his wife, murdered at the hands of Éurito, king of Ecalia, but everything is a plot of an ambitious courtier. Hercules ends up falling in love with Deyanira, who is now a good queen.
Director: Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia | Stars: Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Massimo Serato, Tina Gloriani
Votes: 1,285
Terrible film. Mickey Hargitay looks good but can't act if his life depended on it. Jayne Mansfield is just as bad in the acting department. There is plenty of action and the story is ok. The best part is the Amazon queen turning her lovers into living trees!! The least said about Herc's battle with a bull, the better. The three-headed Hydra is also not very convincing. If you have to see this film, just skip to the part with the living trees.
5. Atlas Against the Cyclops (1961)
Not Rated | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Strongman Maciste must battle the one-eyed Cyclops monster that is ravaging the land of Sadok, while at the same time fending off the advances of the evil Queen Capys, who wants to do a little ravaging of her own.
Director: Antonio Leonviola | Stars: Gordon Mitchell, Chelo Alonso, Vira Silenti, Dante DiPaolo
Votes: 370
This is a Maciste film whose title has been changed to Atlas (Throughout the film the main character is referred to as Maciste). The story is ok and the Cyclops is quite creepy but the film drags on without ever coming to life. Gordon Mitchell is much older than most strongmen but he is ok. The baby in the film is played by Fabio!!!! Don't bother with this one.
6. Hercules and the Captive Women (1961)
Unrated | 94 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Strong yet sleepy Hercules discovers that the Queen of Atlantis is plotting to take over the world with superhuman warriors.
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi | Stars: Reg Park, Fay Spain, Ettore Manni, Luciano Marin
Votes: 1,634
Reg Park plays Hercules this time as a lazy hero who isn't interested in doing much but the film is very good and has some great fantasy sequences. Fay Spain is deliciously evil and the army of mutant soldiers pretty weird. The monster Herc fights is a quite cheesy but the rest of the film is solid. One of the better Hercules films out there and that music score is divine.
7. Hercules in the Haunted World (1961)
G | 84 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
Hercules must journey into Hades itself to retrieve the magic stone that will free his love from the powers of darkness.
Director: Mario Bava | Stars: Reg Park, Christopher Lee, Leonora Ruffo, George Ardisson
Votes: 2,349
Hercules goes to Hell!! Great, atmospheric entry in the Italian strongman series has a nuanced performance by Reg Park as our hero. The sequence where the dead rise from their graves to attack Hercules in Hell is stunning and worth the price of admission on its own.
8. The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962)
Approved | 89 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Three goofy druggists travel back to Ancient Greece on a milquetoast inventor's time machine.
Director: Edward Bernds | Stars: Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Joe DeRita, Vicki Trickett
Votes: 1,177 | Gross: $4.36M
Typical Stooges nonsense is surprisingly watchable. Samson Burke as Hercules is villainous (the only time this has ever happened) but reforms before the end of the movie. He goes along with all the nonsense and manages to keep from being upstaged by the shenanigans. The Stooges are much older but pull it off as the story is sufficiently developed. Enjoyable rainy day film.
9. Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
G | 104 min | Action, Adventure, Family
The legendary Greek hero leads a team of intrepid adventurers in a perilous quest for the legendary Golden Fleece.
Director: Don Chaffey | Stars: Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith
Votes: 31,042 | Gross: $4.58M
Terrific fantasy entry with some amazing Ray Harryhausen special effects and a story that goes all out. Casting Nigel Green(not a bodybuilder) as Hercules is inspired and he puts in a great performance(too bad he isn't in the film for that long). There are so many wonderful moments in this film that it is impossible to list them all: Highlights include the battle with the bronze giant Talos; the battle with the skeletons brought to life and the battle with the Hydra. My favourite sequence is when Triton comes out of the sea to hold back the clashing rocks so that the Argo can get through safely. Not to be missed.
10. The Mighty Hercules (I) (1963–1966)
30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of the heroic demigod of Greek mythology.
Stars: Jimmy Tapp, Gerry Bascombe, David Hartman, Helene Nickerson
Votes: 369
Terrific fun animated series. The budgets were obviously minuscule but the stories were always fun. I am probably a bit too nostalgic about this show but I don't care. It was an important part of my childhood TV viewing. Great theme song and music.
11. Hercules, Samson & Ulysses (1963)
Approved | 93 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Two strongmen set out to hunt down a murderous sea monster. Their ship is wrecked and they end up in the Holy Land where Hercules is assumed to be Samson who is a wanted man. The two team up to survive.
Director: Pietro Francisci | Stars: Kirk Morris, Iloosh Khoshabe, Liana Orfei, Diletta D'Andrea
Votes: 697
Great mix of Greek mythology and the bible. The two strongmen unite to defeat a common enemy. Kirk Morris is good as Herc but not in the same league as Steve Reeves. The story is probably the best one of the bunch (apart from the original Hercules) and the action is non-stop. The final battle is furious and well mounted. Richard Lloyd is ok as Samson but it is Liana Orfei that steals the show as Delilah. The beautiful Diletta d'Andrea also holds her own as Leria, Hercules' wife. Many of the cast from the two Steve Reeves films appear in this one.
12. Hercules the Invincible (1964)
Unrated | 85 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Hercules battles to save the population from a giant dragon.
Director: Alvaro Mancori | Stars: Dan Vadis, Spela Rozin, Carla Calò, Ken Clark
Votes: 456
Below average Hercules film. Dan Vadis as Hercules (or Argoles, depending on which dub you get) is fine as the strongman but the story is poor and he is saddled with a comical sidekick that just slows the story down. The fight with the dragon is lifted from the original Steve Reeves Hercules movie. The rest is the usual fights, stunts and evil tyrants. Don't bother unless you are a huge fan of peplum.
13. Hercules Against the Moon Men (1964)
Unrated | 88 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Hercules is summoned to oppose the evil Queen Samara, who has allied herself with aliens and is sacrificing her own people in a bid to awaken a moon goddess.
Director: Giacomo Gentilomo | Stars: Sergio Ciani, Jany Clair, Anna Maria Polani, Nando Tamberlani
Votes: 1,991
This is actually a Maciste film that was changed to Hercules for US distribution. The story is quite poor and Alan Steel not very convincing as Maciste/Hercules. Skip this one.
14. Hercules Against the Barbarians (1964)
Not Rated | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The 12th century... Failing to overrun Cracow, Genghis Khan kidnaps the beautiful heir to the throne. But Hercules saves her and defeats Khan's throne. In HD.
Director: Domenico Paolella | Stars: Mark Forest, José Greci, Ken Clark, Gloria Milland
Votes: 219
I enjoyed this one. Mark Forest makes a heroic Hercules (in the English dubbed version. In the original he is Maciste, another legendary strongman) who fights the Mongols(and Gengis Khan) who are trying to invade Poland. Along the way, he fights a cheesy looking giant snake (and it is ginormous !!) and a crocodile (in Poland?). The action sequences are quite good and the final battle is very well put together with hundreds of extras as the soldiers of both armies. This one is worth a look.
15. Hercules Against Rome (1964)
87 min | Adventure, History
Hercules comes from Greece to Ravenna, Italy, because a friend from childhood days has sent for him: Hercules should help the Roman Emperor who is in danger because of an intrigue lead by the leader of the pretorian guards.
Director: Piero Pierotti | Stars: Sergio Ciani, Wandisa Guida, Livio Lorenzon, Daniele Vargas
Votes: 126
Straightforward Hercules entry that does not skimp on the action sequences (the final battle is very well done). Unfortunately, there are no fantasy elements in the film which diminishes the story somewhat. Alan Steel is an energetic Hercules. Not bad overall but could have used a giant monster or a sorcerer to liven things up.
16. Hercules vs. the Giant Warriors (1964)
Not Rated | 94 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Hercules defends a people against a race of giant warriors.
Director: Alberto De Martino | Stars: Dan Vadis, Marilù Tolo, Pierre Cressoy, Piero Lulli
Votes: 187
Not bad entry in the Hercules series has a bit of everything including a sorceress, an army of bronze giants, a tyrant and comic relief. Dan Vadis is quite athletic as Hercules not afraid to get his hands dirty. Unfortunately, this Hercules is easily duped by the villain and causes the death of a "good" man which forces Zeus to strip him of his strength. Not to worry, he asks for forgiveness and his strength is restored. The fight sequences in this film are mostly well done but the first time Herc fights the bronze giants it is shot like a Three Stooges sequence. The film starts off very slowly but picks up steam midway through and the ending is very clever. Overall OK but not as good as the Steve Reeves or Reg Park films.
17. Hercules, Prisoner of Evil (1964)
90 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Hercules battles an evil sorceress who turns men into werewolves.
Directors: Antonio Margheriti, Ruggero Deodato | Stars: Reg Park, Mireille Granelli, Ettore Manni, Furio Meniconi
Votes: 259
Terrible film which stars Reg Park as Ursus (despite what the English dubbing will have you believe). Hercules/Ursus fights a monster and, it turns out, is the monster. Yup that is how stupid this film is. The bottom of the barrel. Look for the sequence where the muscular Reg Park is doubled by an overweight man with a huge gut. There, I just saved you 90 minutes.
18. Hercules and the Tyrants of Babylon (1964)
Unrated | 86 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Hercules fights to free the people of Babylon from an evil sorceress.
Director: Domenico Paolella | Stars: Peter Lupus, Helga Liné, Mario Petri, Livio Lorenzon
Votes: 576
Ho-hum Hercules entry notable for the presence of Peter Lupus(billed under the name Rock Stevens) of Mission Impossible fame as Hercules. The story is nothing we haven't seen before but has enough action to satisfy fans. Sets and location shooting are fine. Best part is the finale where Hercules destroys the city of Babylon singlehandedly. By the way, Herc's weapon of choice in this film is a giant club making him appear more as a caveman than the son of Zeus. A good way to pass a rainy afternoon but not much else.
19. Hercules and the Princess of Troy (1965 TV Movie)
47 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The mighty Hercules battles a sea monster to save the legendary city of Troy.
Director: Albert Band | Stars: Gordon Scott, Paul Stevens, Mart Hulswit, Diana Hyland
Votes: 306
Gordon Scott makes an amazing Hercules in this TV pilot that was never made into a series. The story is pretty good and Herc gets to fight a pretty amazing monster. Too bad it never led to a TV series.
20. Odissea (1968)
GP | 109 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Odysseus' journey told in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. After fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus spends years trying to return home to Itaka.
Stars: Bekim Fehmiu, Carlo Alighiero, Leonard Steckel, Constantin Andrieu
Votes: 858
Terrific, epic mini series that tells most of the story of the Odyssey. Bekim Fehmiu is great as the hero Ulysses. Irene Papas, appropriately tragic as his wife Penelope waiting so long for his return to Ithaca. I first saw this Italian-French-German-Yugoslav mini series when I was a kid and was impressed even back then, even though I could not appreciate it as I do now.There are some great moments including the terrifying, eerie confrontation with Polifemo, the cyclops (played by Canadian strongman Samson Burke)and the adventures on the island with Circe the witch who turns Ulysses' companions into pigs. Barbara Bach, in one of her first roles, plays Nausicaa, who finds Ulysses shipwrecked on her island and invites him to meet her parents, the King and Queen to tell his story. Most of the episodes are well made with Croatian and Montenegro landscapes filling in for ancient Greece and the other mysterious islands of the story. I found the end to be too long but that is a minor quibble. A terrific experience for all of you who love Greek mythology. Not to be missed.
21. Hercules (1983)
PG | 98 min | Adventure, Fantasy, History
The story of the Greek mythological figure, updated in this '80s version.
Director: Luigi Cozzi | Stars: Lou Ferrigno, Brad Harris, Sybil Danning, Rossana Podestà
Votes: 4,406 | Gross: $10.68M
Lou Ferrigno is good as Herc but this film is just awful. Special effects are atrocious and the story stinks. Forget about it.
22. Samson and Delilah (1949)
Approved | 134 min | Drama, Family, History
When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Hedy Lamarr, Victor Mature, George Sanders, Angela Lansbury
Votes: 8,982 | Gross: $28.80M
Classic telling of the biblical story. Victor Mature is actually good as Samson. This definitely influenced the 1959 Hercules film starring Steve Reeves.
23. David and Bathsheba (1951)
Approved | 116 min | Drama, Family, History
After King David sees the beautiful Bathsheba bathing from the palace roof, he enters into an adulterous affair which has tragic consequences for his family and Israel.
Director: Henry King | Stars: Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, Raymond Massey, Kieron Moore
Votes: 2,651
The epic battle between David and Goliath is shown as a flashback at the very end of the movie. The only negative of this movie is that it was shot in Arizona of all places !
24. The Ten Commandments (1956)
G | 220 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson
Votes: 77,884 | Gross: $93.74M
Another terrific film with some amazing performances and terrific special effects. The splitting of the Red Sea is eye-popping. Charlton Heston was born to play Moses and does not disappoint. Do not miss this.
25. Solomon and Sheba (1959)
Not Rated | 141 min | Drama, History, Romance
After becoming king of ancient Israel, Solomon faces threats coming from his jealous dispossessed brother Adonijah, the Egyptian Pharaoh and the scheming Queen of Sheba.
Director: King Vidor | Stars: Yul Brynner, Gina Lollobrigida, George Sanders, Marisa Pavan
Votes: 3,794 | Gross: $12.20M
Pretty cheesy and over the top but the final battle is quite spectacular. Yul Brynner is amazing as Solomon.
26. A Story of David: The Hunted (1960)
Not Rated | 99 min | Drama
King Saul of Israel is jealous of the fame and adoration of David, who long ago slew Goliath and brought victory to Saul's armies. Now Saul, egged on by his Edomite counselor Doeg, attempts... See full summary »
Director: Bob McNaught | Stars: Jeff Chandler, Basil Sydney, Peter Arne, David Knight
Votes: 166
I don't remember much from this movie but I do remember being disappointed that we never see the battle between David and Goliath.
27. Sodom and Gomorrah (1962)
G | 154 min | Adventure, Drama, History
Sex, torture, and betrayal in Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, leader of the Hebrews, believes that his people can co-exist with the Sodomites--a disastrous decision.
Directors: Robert Aldrich, Sergio Leone | Stars: Stewart Granger, Pier Angeli, Stanley Baker, Rossana Podestà
Votes: 2,188 | Gross: $5.45M
Stewart Granger is great as Lot in this somewhat overlong version of the biblical story. The sequence where Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt is worth the price of admission.
28. David and Goliath (1960)
Not Rated | 95 min | Action, Drama, Family
King Saul of the Israelites is visited in Jerusalem by the Prophet Samuel who foretells him that a war with The Philistines is inevitable and the shepherd David will become king.
Directors: Ferdinando Baldi, Richard Pottier, Orson Welles | Stars: Orson Welles, Ivica Pajer, Eleonora Rossi Drago, Massimo Serato
Votes: 837
Ok version of the biblical story. Orson Welles in his "take the money and run" period overacts ridiculously as King Saul. Ivo Payer as David is a too old and muscular in the role. The battle between David and Goliath is well done but the actor who plays Goliath wears a ridiculously padded suit. If you have to see it, just skip to the epic battle.
29. The Bible in the Beginning... (1966)
Unrated | 174 min | Drama, Family
Extravagant production of the first part of the book of Genesis. Its main highlights are the Garden of Eden, the first brothers, Noah and his family obeying God to build an ark for the Flood and Abraham's attempted sacrifice of Isaac.
Director: John Huston | Stars: Michael Parks, Ulla Bergryd, Richard Harris, John Huston
Votes: 6,255 | Gross: $34.90M
This has some good moments especially the story of Noah.
30. King David (1985)
PG-13 | 114 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The Biblical story of Israel's greatest King.
Director: Bruce Beresford | Stars: Richard Gere, Edward Woodward, Alice Krige, Denis Quilley
Votes: 2,538 | Gross: $4.80M
I loved this film, especially the performance by Edward Woodward as King Saul. The battle between David and Goliath is probably the best one ever committed to celluloid. Richard Gere as the adult David is ok but the film makes up for his performance with a great script and solid action. Amazing film.
31. In the Beginning (2000)
189 min | Adventure, Drama
Biblical tales from the books of Genesis and Exodus, including the stories of Abraham's devotion and Joseph's betrayal.
Stars: Martin Landau, Jacqueline Bisset, Billy Campbell, Eddie Cibrian
Votes: 886
Terrific film on several stories from Genesis and Exodus with a great performance by Martin Landau as Abraham.
32. Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
PG-13 | 150 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The defiant leader Moses rises up against Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, setting six hundred thousand slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver
Votes: 179,252 | Gross: $65.01M
Christian Bale is good as Moses and the film is quite good but what were they thinking having God portrayed as a little boy?
33. Life of Brian (1979)
R | 94 min | Comedy
Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.
Director: Terry Jones | Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
Votes: 421,882 | Gross: $20.05M
This amazing satire of biblical times is dead on. The Monty Python troupe are at their best here with Graham Chapman putting in a great performance as Brian. Terrific Tunisian locations. Do not miss this.
34. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)
Not Rated | 143 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A Jewish prince seeks to find his family and revenge himself upon his childhood friend who had him wrongly imprisoned.
Directors: Fred Niblo, Charles Brabin, Christy Cabanne, J.J. Cohn, Rex Ingram | Stars: Ramon Novarro, Francis X. Bushman, May McAvoy, Betty Bronson
Votes: 7,977 | Gross: $12.45M
Terrific silent version of the classic story. Both the chariot race and ship battle are simply amazing. A must see, especially if you have seen the 1959 version.
35. Ben-Hur (1959)
G | 212 min | Adventure, Drama
After a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
Director: William Wyler | Stars: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Votes: 253,693 | Gross: $74.70M
One of the greatest films of all time and a chariot race that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Wow!!
36. The Story of David (1976 TV Movie)
PG | 191 min | Drama
He was the chosen king who loved God and committed the acts of sin.
Directors: David Lowell Rich, Alex Segal | Stars: Timothy Bottoms, Anthony Quayle, Norman Rodway, Oded Teomi
Votes: 194
Two part made for TV movie is a very realistic look at the life of King David. Part 1 follows his life as a shepherd who defeats Goliath and becomes a warrior. Part 2 follows his years as a king and his infatuation with Bathsheba. These are really two separate movies with entirely different casts(with one exception). I very much liked Timothy Bottoms as the young David and felt that part 1(shot in Israel) was more interesting. Part 2 (shot in Spain) was interesting but Keith Mitchell as the older David took some getting used to. Kudos to the beautiful Jane Seymour who turns in a great performance as the sly Bathsheba. Overall, well worth your time, especially part 1.
37. The Story of Ruth (1960)
Not Rated | 132 min | Drama, History, Romance
Inspired by the scriptural tale. Moabitess priestess Ruth is drawn both to a Judean man and to his talk of a forgiving God. After tragedy strikes, she begins a new life in Bethlehem.
Director: Henry Koster | Stars: Elana Eden, Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, Peggy Wood
Votes: 1,445
Well-made, intelligent biblical film that does not go for the sensational but instead keeps things on a personal level. Good cast all around. Desert sequences shot in the Mojave desert but most of the film is studio-bound. Definitely worth seeing.
38. Captain Sindbad (1963)
Passed | 85 min | Action, Adventure, Family
To marry Princess Jana, Captain Sindbad must battle deadly obstacles and fight El Kerim, the evil ruler who also wants to marry the princess.
Director: Byron Haskin | Stars: Guy Williams, Heidi Brühl, Pedro Armendáriz, Abraham Sofaer
Votes: 1,046 | Gross: $5.45M
Made in Germany Sindbad film (notice the extra d in his name) is ok but lacks the terrific special effects of the Ray Harryhausen films. Guy Williams is quite good as the hero and the story is ok. A good film to see on a rainy day.
39. The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)
G | 105 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Sinbad and the vizier of Marabia, followed by evil magician Koura, seek the three golden tablets that can gain them access to the ancient temple of the Oracle of All Knowledge.
Director: Gordon Hessler | Stars: John Phillip Law, Caroline Munro, Tom Baker, Douglas Wilmer
Votes: 10,556 | Gross: $3.03M
Another great Ray Harryhausen spectacular that includes more fantasy elements than you can imagine. The fight between the Griffin and the one-eyed centaur is amazing. For children of all ages.
40. Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)
G | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Sinbad the Sailor sails to deliver a cursed prince to a dangerous island in the face of deadly opposition from the powerful witch Zenobia, her son and their several monsters.
Director: Sam Wanamaker | Stars: Patrick Wayne, Jane Seymour, Taryn Power, Margaret Whiting
Votes: 8,674 | Gross: $16.79M
Long, boring entry in the series is saved by terrific locations in Jordan , Malta and Spain and the presence of the absolutely gorgeous Jane Seymour. Sinbad does very little in this film.
41. Clash of the Titans (1981)
PG | 118 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Perseus must battle Medusa and the Kraken to save the Princess Andromeda.
Director: Desmond Davis | Stars: Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, Claire Bloom, Maggie Smith
Votes: 47,773 | Gross: $41.09M
Fantastic Greek mythology film that features Ray Harryhausen's terrific special effects. The absolute best parts include the Kraken coming out of the sea and the tense battle with Medusa. Great cast including a very enjoyable performance from Burgess Meredith. A jolly good time for all.
42. Troy (2004)
R | 163 min | Adventure, Drama
An adaptation of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen | Stars: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Julian Glover
Votes: 570,624 | Gross: $133.38M
Overlong film version of the Iliad. The film has a lot going for it but a lot of negatives too. The result is an unsatisfying Hollywood action film. The positives: Eric Bana's performance as Hector; Peter O'Toole's performance; The epic battle scenes; the wonderful Maltese and Mexican locations. The negatives: Brad Pitt's one-note performance; Achilles is portrayed as a superhero who can almost fly; Some of the dialogue is insipid; Way, way, way too violent. Overall, this is not as good as I expected. Average at best. A better actor to portray Achilles would have helped this greatly.
43. Hercules Returns (1993)
82 min | Comedy
When Brad quits his job at a large cinema chain, to open his own picture theatre, his ex-boss sabotages the opening night by switching the Italian film with a non-subtitled version. Brad ... See full summary »
Director: David Parker | Stars: David Argue, Michael Carman, Mary Coustas, Bruce Spence
Votes: 1,614
Hilarious Australian comedy about a guy who reopens an old cinema and shows an old Hercules film. Unfortunately, they received the Italian version with no subtitles, so he gets his friends to help him dub it live! The film they are dubbing is Samson and the Mighty Challenge (1964) which features 4 musclemen for the price of one. Very, very funny.
44. Giants of Rome (1964)
Not Rated | 95 min | Adventure, War
An elite group of soldiers led by the courageous Claudius Marcellus are handpicked by Julius Caesar to embark on a desperate and dangerous suicide mission to destroy the Druids' secret weapon.
Director: Antonio Margheriti | Stars: Richard Harrison, Wandisa Guida, Ettore Manni, Philippe Hersent
Votes: 294
Nothing special peplum which is incredibly violent and pretty stupid. It is very weird to see the Romans as the "good" guys(what were the filmmakers thinking?). Don't bother with this one.
45. Sadko (1953)
79 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Arriving home to find his native land under the yoke of corrupt merchants, an adventurer named Sadko sets sail in search of a mythical bird of happiness.
Director: Aleksandr Ptushko | Stars: Sergey Stolyarov, Alla Larionova, Ninel Myshkova, B. Surovtsev
Votes: 1,228
Amazing Soviet film full of sorcery and fantasy. Special effects are surprisingly good for 1953. Americanized as The Magic Voyage of Sinbad. Well worth your time.
46. The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
G | 88 min | Action, Adventure, Family
When a princess is shrunken by an evil wizard, Sinbad must undertake a quest to an island of monsters to cure her and prevent a war.
Director: Nathan Juran | Stars: Kerwin Mathews, Kathryn Grant, Richard Eyer, Torin Thatcher
Votes: 14,761 | Gross: $6.98M
Another Ray Harryhausen spectacular with Cyclops, dragons and other assorted beasts. The best Sinbad movie ever made, bar none.
47. The Sword and the Dragon (1956)
83 min | Adventure, Fantasy
A mythical knight goes on an epic journey and fights barbarian hordes in an ancient land.
Director: Aleksandr Ptushko | Stars: Boris Andreyev, Shukur Burkhanov, Andrei Abrikosov, Natalya Medvedeva
Votes: 1,371
Good fantasy film made in the USSR. Some interesting battles with an astounding amount of extras. Unfortunately, the Dragon is quite cheesy but the wind monster was ok. A decent film to see on a rainy day.
48. The Blade Master (1983)
PG | 92 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Muscle-bound Ator and his mute East Asian sidekick travel from the ends of the earth to save his aged mentor from the evil, mustachioed Zor.
Director: Joe D'Amato | Stars: Miles O'Keeffe, Lisa Foster, David Brandon, Charles Borromel
Votes: 3,896
Dreadful film that has nothing going for it. Idiotic story and horrible acting. A hard pass on this one.
49. Jack the Giant Killer (1962)
Passed | 94 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
A farmboy-turned-knight must protect a princess from the schemes of an evil wizard.
Director: Nathan Juran | Stars: Kerwin Mathews, Judi Meredith, Torin Thatcher, Walter Burke
Votes: 3,043
Ok fantasy film includes giants who terrorize everyone as well as a Kraken-like creature. A good film in the same tradition of the 7th Voyage of Sinbad (with the same lead actors).
50. Goliath and the Sins of Babylon (1963)
80 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Goliath battles for the freedom of the Babylonian people.
Director: Michele Lupo | Stars: Mark Forest, José Greci, Giuliano Gemma, Erno Crisa
Votes: 303
Very well made peplum with a great performance by Mark Forest as Goliath (Maciste, in the original Italian version). Lots of fights, stunts and a very well staged chariot race make this a cut above other pepla. The scene where Goliath is strapped to a table and has spears fall all around him is very well executed. Overall, well worth your time. The original Italian title translates to Maciste, the greatest hero in the world. That pretty much describes this film. 7 Goliaths out of 10.
51. Perseo l'invincibile (1963)
95 min | Adventure, Fantasy
A warrior does battle against the evil Medusa, her army of stone warriors and a monstrous dragon.
Director: Alberto De Martino | Stars: Richard Harrison, Anna Ranalli, Arturo Dominici, Leo Anchóriz
Votes: 435
This is an OK version of the Perseus story that was better portrayed in Clash of the Titans (1981). There are many positives to this version including a great Medusa monster, a terrific performance by Richard Harrison as Perseus and well done battle scenes. The story is average at best and the dragon is obviously a mechanical device but this goes down well enough if you give it a chance. An excellent moment shows the valley of men turned into stone by the Medusa. I give this 6 heroes out of 10.
52. Conquest of Mycene (1963)
Not Rated | 102 min | Adventure, Fantasy
A prince passes himself off as Hercules and does battle with an evil queen and her bloodthirsty religious cult in Mycene, in order to free the people of a neighboring kingdom.
Director: Giorgio Ferroni | Stars: Gordon Scott, Alessandra Panaro, Rosalba Neri, Arturo Dominici
Votes: 309
Not really a Hercules film per se. This is another sword and sandal spectacle where Gordon Scott leads the fights against an evil queen and the cult built around her disfigured son. Scott is good as are the battle scenes but I was thoroughly confused as to who was fighting who throughout. The title says Hercules because the hero Prince Glaucus (Scott) uses that alias when he pretends to be a peasant. OK film but not as good as it could have been.
53. The Giants of Thessaly (1960)
86 min | Adventure, Fantasy
In order to placate the angry gods, who have allowed Thessaly to be overrun with barbarian invaders and beset with natural disasters, King Jason takes his Argonauts on a search for the ... See full summary »
Director: Riccardo Freda | Stars: Roland Carey, Ziva Rodann, Alberto Farnese, Nadia Sanders
Votes: 381
Slow moving version of the Jason and the Golden Fleece story. This one includes a great deal of the Iliad in the story. The absolute best part is the sequence where Jason climbs a colossal statue to retrieve the Fleece (he jumps from the head to the hand to get it. This is shot with a real stuntman and is simply amazing). The rest is ok but seems to last longer than it really does. The sequence with the cyclops monster is well done but the cyclops is a man in a hairy suit so quite cheesy. Overall ok but it pales next to the Ray Harryhausen version Jason and The Argonauts which came out 3 years later and included spectacular monsters. Oh and BTW, why isn't Hercules in this film? He really should be.
54. The Minotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete (1960)
Not Rated | 105 min | Adventure, Fantasy
A mythological hero attempts to rescue a princess from being sacrificed to a half-man, half-bull creature.
Director: Silvio Amadio | Stars: Bob Mathias, Rosanna Schiaffino, Alberto Lupo, Rik Battaglia
Votes: 387
Not bad tale of Theseus fighting the Minotaur but that only happens in the last 7 minutes of the film. Before that, we have to go through the evil queen and her long lost twin sister story that is quite long. There are some decent battles in this film and the Minotaur is quite creepy (although it is a man in a rubber suit) but overall this one is not as interesting as some of the other Greek mythology films. I give it 5 Minotaurs out of 10.
55. Hercules the Avenger (1965)
Not Rated | 90 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Reg Park returns to his antics of old as the man of iron in HERCULES THE AVENGER. The Son of Jove undertakes another journey into the nether realms battling zombies and monsters in order to... See full summary »
Director: Maurizio Lucidi | Stars: Reg Park, Gia Sandri, Giovanni Cianfriglia, Adriana Ambesi
Votes: 165
This is a curious film that mixes long sequences lifted out of HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMEN and HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD(also starring Reg Park as Hercules) and about 45 minutes of new footage. The result is a film that is high on action sequences but that doesn't always make sense. Reg Park is fine but the film is all over the place which isn't surprising since so much of it is composed of moments from other movies. I expected the final battle between Hercules and the imposter Hercules to be much better than it actually is in the film. Give this one a miss unless you are a huge fan of peplum.
56. Ulysses (1954)
Not Rated | 94 min | Adventure, Fantasy
A movie adaptation of Homer's second epic, that depicts Ulysses' efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.
Director: Mario Camerini | Stars: Silvana Mangano, Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Rossana Podestà
Votes: 4,649
Very good adaptation of the Odyssey. Kirk Douglas is fantastic and energetic as Ulysses but Sylvana Mangano steals the show in her portrayal as both Penelope(good) and Circe(brilliant). Anthony Quinn is fine but isn't in the film for long enough. Rosanna Podesta is also quite good as Nausicaa although she doesn't appear in the film for that long either. Her scenes with Kirk Douglas are well played and they have a great chemistry together. The sequence when the men encounter Polyphemus the cyclops is very well done. The entire film moves at a good pace and the acting is strong. There is a bit too much studio work but a great deal of the outdoor scenes were shot on the Mediterranean coast which gives it an air of authenticity. This is definitely one of the best pre-Steve Reeves Hercules peplums.
57. Ulysses Against Hercules (1962)
99 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Ulysses offends the gods by blinding the Cyclops, so they send Hercules to capture him and bring him to them.
Director: Mario Caiano | Stars: Georges Marchal, Mike Lane, Alessandra Panaro, Dominique Boschero
Votes: 242
Pretty good story that mixes the Odyssey with the Hercules myth. Mike Lane is ok as Hercules but it is Georges Marchal that steals the show as Ulysses. Raffaella Carra is also good in a small role. This is a most unusual peplum but quite enjoyable. Great locations on the Canary Islands. Worth a look for sure.
58. The Trojan Horse (1961)
Not Rated | 105 min | Adventure, Drama, History
A retelling of the events leading to the use of the Trojan Horse, to bring down the great city of Troy.
Director: Giorgio Ferroni | Stars: Steve Reeves, Juliette Mayniel, John Drew Barrymore, Edy Vessel
Votes: 641
Terrific epic film that casts Paris and Helen as selfish, egotists who don't care that their adulterous affair has caused so much bloodshed and misery. The film focuses on the heroic character of Aeneas, played here by Steve Reeves. There are a multitude of battle scenes and many intimate moments. A must see, especially if you saw the ridiculous, overblown Troy (2004). John Drew Barrymore is very good as the sly Ulysses. Well worth your time.
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