1950s-1960s: Peplum Craze.
The peplum film (pepla plural), also known as sword-and-sandal, is a genre of largely Italian-made historical or Biblical epics (costume dramas) that dominated the Italian film industry from 1958 to 1965, eventually being replaced in 1965 by the Spaghetti Western.
The pepla attempted to emulate the big-budget Hollywood historical epics of the time, such as Spartacus, Samson and Delilah and The Ten Commandments.
The terms "peplum" (referring to the tunic-style Greek and Roman garment often worn by characters in the films) and "sword-and-sandal" were used in a condescending way by film critics. Italian director Vittorio Cottafavi called the genre "Neo-Mythology".
Italian epic films set in antiquity that were produced before the 1958 peplum wave proper, such as Fabiola (1949) and Ulysses (1954), have been called proto-peplum and recent films set in such Greco-Roman times (made after the peplum wave ended in 1965) have been called neo-peplum.
The pepla attempted to emulate the big-budget Hollywood historical epics of the time, such as Spartacus, Samson and Delilah and The Ten Commandments.
The terms "peplum" (referring to the tunic-style Greek and Roman garment often worn by characters in the films) and "sword-and-sandal" were used in a condescending way by film critics. Italian director Vittorio Cottafavi called the genre "Neo-Mythology".
Italian epic films set in antiquity that were produced before the 1958 peplum wave proper, such as Fabiola (1949) and Ulysses (1954), have been called proto-peplum and recent films set in such Greco-Roman times (made after the peplum wave ended in 1965) have been called neo-peplum.
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- DirectorGabriel PascalStarsClaude RainsVivien LeighStewart GrangerAt the height of the Roman Civil War, a young Cleopatra (Vivien Leigh) meets a middle-aged Julius Caesar (Claude Rains), who teaches her how to rule Egypt.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsHedy LamarrVictor MatureGeorge SandersWhen strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.© Paramount Pictures
- DirectorAlessandro BlasettiStarsMichèle MorganHenri VidalMichel SimonIn ancient Rome a love story blossoms between Fabiola, daughter of a senator, and Rhual, a Gallic gladiator. After Fabiola's father is killed, the Romans blame the Christians and the persecution begins. Rhual confesses to being a Christian, is accused of the murder and sentenced to fight to the death in the arena.
- DirectorDavid BradleyStarsCharlton HestonGrosvenor GlennHarold TaskerThe growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.
- DirectorMarcel L'HerbierPaolo MoffaStarsMicheline PresleGeorges MarchalMarcel HerrandIn the town of Pompeii, 79 A.D., a few weeks before the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius, a Roman lady Hélène meets and falls in love with a young Greek man Lysias. He is betrothed to another woman who, to win him back, acquires a potion to make him love only her. The potion was prepared by the Egyptian priest, Arbax, who has a grudge against Lysias, and is not what it seems, it is intended to drive whoever takes it insane. Hélène's new slave is also in love with Lysias. She steals the potion and gives it to Lysias, who hurries away in a mad rage. When the slave girl confronts Arbax, she is killed by the evil priest, and Lysias is charged with her murder.a.k.a. Sins of Pompeii
a.k.a. The Last Days of Pompeii - DirectorCarmine GalloneStarsMaría FélixGeorges MarchalMemo BenassiA story, set in Rome of 44 A.D., concerning the amorous and political intrigues of the evil Empress Messalina, the wife of the Roman Emperor Claudius, and her eventual hounding to death.
- DirectorMervyn LeRoyAnthony MannStarsRobert TaylorDeborah KerrLeo GennAfter fierce Roman commander Marcus Vinicius becomes infatuated with beautiful Christian hostage Lygia, he begins to question the tyrannical leadership of the despotic emperor Nero.© Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- DirectorHenry KingStarsGregory PeckSusan HaywardRaymond MasseyAfter 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.
- DirectorPietro FrancisciStarsLeonora RuffoGino CerviGino LeuriniThe Queen of Sheba falls in love with the King of Israel. The King of Israel, however, is in love with someone else.
- DirectorChester ErskineNicholas RayStarsJean SimmonsVictor MatureAlan YoungStory of a Christian in ancient Rome who befriends a lion.
- DirectorRiccardo FredaStarsMassimo GirottiLudmilla TchérinaYves Vincent74 B.C. Somewhere in the Roman Empire, Spartacus, a young officer, is condemned to be a slave because he hit a superior. Brought back to Roma in a gladiators' school, he escapes and stirs up all the slaves in a revolt against the Roman Empire.a.k.a. Spartacus
a.k.a. Sins of Rome
© Associati Produttori Indipendenti Film (API)
Italy, France - DirectorHenry KosterStarsRichard BurtonJean SimmonsVictor MatureIn the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.
- DirectorWilliam DieterleStarsRita HayworthStewart GrangerCharles LaughtonAfter her banishment from Rome, Jewish Princess Salome returns to her Roman-ruled native land of Galilee, where prophet John the Baptist preaches against Salome's parents, King Herod and Queen Herodias.
- DirectorWilliam CastleStarsRhonda FlemingWilliam LundiganRaymond BurrIn 44 BC, after the assassination of the leader of Rome Julius Caesar, Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and one of the highest ranking Roman generals and Caesar's possible successor Mark Anthony begin a tragic love affair.
- DirectorAlf SjöbergStarsUlf PalmeInge WærnOlof WidgrenThe story about the thief who didn't get crucified because Jesus was chosen to take his place.
- DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczStarsLouis CalhernMarlon BrandoJames MasonThe growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.© Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- DirectorMario CameriniStarsSilvana ManganoKirk DouglasAnthony QuinnA movie adaptation of Homer's second epic, that depicts Ulysses' efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.a.k.a. Ulysses
- DirectorRiccardo FredaStarsGeorges MarchalGianna Maria CanaleRenato BaldiniTeodora, a Roman courtesan and former slave girl, marries the Roman emperor Justinian and assumes the throne as Empress of Rome. But the divide between nobility and slave is too great. Teodora seeks justice for her people, and revolution and armed conflict erupt in both Byzantium and Rome.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsJean SimmonsVictor MatureGene TierneyIn ancient Egypt, a poor orphan becomes a genial physician and is eventually appointed at the Pharaoh's court where he witnesses palace intrigues and learns dangerous royal secrets.
- DirectorDelmer DavesStarsVictor MatureSusan HaywardMichael RennieIn first-century Rome, Christian slave Demetrius is sent to fight in the gladiatorial arena and Emperor Caligula seeks Jesus' robe for its alleged magical powers.
- DirectorHarmon JonesStarsDebra PagetJeffrey HunterMichael RennieIn 1249, an Egyptian princess allies herself with the son of the Caliph of Baghdad in order to rid Egypt of its Bedouin invaders.
- DirectorVictor SavilleStarsVirginia MayoPier AngeliJack PalanceA Greek artisan is commissioned to cast the cup of Christ in silver, and sculpt around its rim, the faces of the disciples and Jesus. He travels to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome to complete the task. Meanwhile, a nefarious interloper is trying to convince the crowds that he is the new Messiah, by using nothing more than cheap parlor tricks.
- DirectorMario MattoliStarsSophia LorenAlberto SordiPaul MullerSophia Loren plays a dual role, as both the sultry Queen of the Nile with a "man-a-night" appetite and a beautiful slave girl who takes her place and is wooed by a bodyguard who thinks she's the real monarch.a.k.a. Two Nights with Cleopatra
- DirectorPietro FrancisciStarsAnthony QuinnSophia LorenHenri VidalAttila, the leader of the barbarian Huns and called by the Romans "The Scourge of God", sweeps onto the Italian peninsula, defeating all of the armies of Rome, until he and his men reach the gates of the city itself.
- DirectorDouglas SirkStarsJeff ChandlerJack PalanceLudmilla TchérinaWith the Roman Empire divided, Attila the Hun hopes to conquer. In his way are a brave centurion, a beautiful princess...and Christianity.
- DirectorHoward HawksStarsJack HawkinsJoan CollinsDewey MartinA captured architect designs an ingenious plan to ensure the impregnability of the tomb of a self-absorbed Pharaoh, obsessed with the security of his next life.
- DirectorRobert WiseRaoul WalshStarsStanley BakerRossana PodestàBrigitte BardotThe Iliad's story of the Trojan war, told from the Trojan viewpoint.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsYul BrynnerDeborah KerrRita MorenoA widow accepts a job as a live-in governess to the King of Siam's children.
- DirectorRobert RossenStarsRichard BurtonFredric MarchClaire BloomThe life and military conquests of Alexander III of Macedon (July 20/21, 356 - June 10/11, 323 B.C.), commonly known as Alexander the Great.
- DirectorStenoStarsAlberto SordiVittorio De SicaGloria SwansonNero is on holiday at the seaside. Poppea, Seneca and many other guests are with him. Nero is preparing a great show where he will be the star. When Agrippina, his mother, arrives with her German praetorians and decides Nero has to conquer Britain, she is asking for trouble. Many attempts of murder and poisoning will happen on the eve of his great show.a.k.a. Nero's Weekend
a.k.a. Nero's Mistress - DirectorGuido BrignoneStarsGianna Maria CanaleJorge MistralMarisa AllasioTarsus, in the Roman province of Cilicia, AD 120. Two Carthaginian sisters, Lea and Esther, are bought as slave girls by Roman tribune Marcus Valerius, who gives them as a present to proud Julia Martia, daughter of the proconsul. Ambitious, greedy and vindictive, Julia is betrothed to the cynical Flavius Metellus, a member of the Senate, but in fact she is in love with Marcus. However, he prefers the simple sweetness of Lea, which drives Julia to cruelty and revenge. The proconsul is murdered by Flavius Metellus who becomes his successor. Believing the Christians were responsible for her father's death, Julia, now the new proconsul's wife, orders the persecutions to begin. Marcus is ordered to carry out the campaign, but faced with the courage and faith of the Christians he realizes they are innocent. He is arrested after being betrayed by a shepherd and joins the two sisters in the dungeons. Lea is tortured and blinded after refusing to divulge the hiding place of the remaining Christians. Marcus and the others are sentenced to death, but his men free him in time to prevent the Christians being burned alive. In the bloody battle that follows Julia and her husband are killed and the Christians are liberated. Marcus, now also a Christian, is proclaimed the new proconsul and takes Lea as his wife. Although blind she will lead her husband with the sweetness of her soul and the light of faith that has saved her.a.k.a. The Sword and the Cross
a.k.a. Slave of Carthage - DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsCharlton HestonYul BrynnerAnne BaxterMoses, 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.
- DirectorFernando CerchioViktor TourjanskyStarsBelinda LeeJacques SernasMassimo GirottiThe god Zeus sends Venus, the goddess of love, to Earth to find her own true love.
- DirectorRichard FleischerStarsKirk DouglasTony CurtisErnest BorgnineA slave and a Viking prince fight for the love of a captive princess.
- DirectorPietro FrancisciStarsSteve ReevesSylva KoscinaFabrizio MioniThe muscular Hercules performs his Labors, sails with the Argonauts, and romances the fair Iole.
- DirectorVittorio CottafaviStarsGianna Maria CanaleEttore ManniMara CruzMarcus Numidius (Ettore Manni), a Roman tribune sent to Armenia to put down a gladiators' revolt, captures the rebels' popular leader, Aselepius (Georges Marchal). Princess Amira (Gianna Maria Canale), with ambitions of being Queen and jealous of Asclepius' popularity, plans his death in the arena by substituting a lion for his human opponent.
- 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.
- DirectorCarlo Ludovico BragagliaStarsYvonne De CarloJorge MistralRossana PodestàSet against the magnificent backdrop of classic Rome, "The Sword and the Cross" is the story of a notorious harlot who must choose between her lascivious lifestyle and the love and affection of her decent-minded brother.
- DirectorFrank BorzageStarsHoward KeelJohn SaxonSusan KohnerExploring the life of Peter, from being a successful fisherman to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ and being dependent on Jesus Christ.
- DirectorMario BonnardStarsSteve ReevesChristine KaufmannFernando ReyA demobilized centurion returns home to Pompeii to find his father murdered by a gang of black-hooded Christian robbers that terrorizes the city and he decides to investigate the matter while the nearby volcano threatens to erupt.
- DirectorVittorio CottafaviStarsLinda CristalEttore ManniGeorges MarchalRoman Emperor Octavian rules the empire from Rome, and his rival Marc Antony has taken Egyptian queen Cleopatra as his lover and seized the eastern empire, ruling it from Alexandria. Octavian intends to regain his empire by landing his army at Alexandria, besieging the city and capturing and executing the pair. However, while Octavian's army is bigger than Marc Antony's forces, he and Cleopatra have allies who can come to their aid. Both sides prepare for a final showdown.
- DirectorCarlo Ludovico BragagliaEdgar G. UlmerStarsVictor MatureGabriele FerzettiRita GamDuring the Second Punic War in 218 BC, Carthaginian general Hannibal attacks the Roman Republic by crossing the Pyrenees and the Alps with his vast army.
- DirectorJacques TourneurBruno VailatiMario BavaStarsSteve ReevesMylène DemongeotSergio FantoniA Greek soldier leads the fight against an invading Persian army.
- DirectorCarlo CampogallianiStarsSteve ReevesChelo AlonsoBruce CabotWhen barbarians invade his village and kill his father, a local man wages a one-man war against them.
- DirectorGuido BrignoneMichelangelo AntonioniRiccardo FredaStarsAnita EkbergGeorges MarchalFolco LulliZenobia, Queen of Palmyra, revolts against Rome and defeats the Roman troops - but she makes a big mistake when she falls in love with enemy officer Marco Valerio.
- DirectorViktor TourjanskyStarsEdmund PurdomSylvia LopezMassimo GirottiHerod, King of Judea, is made a prisoner by the Romans. Convinced the King is dead, his faithful lieutenant, Aaron, is nevertheless unable to keep his promise to kill the Queen if something untoward happened to the King. He leads the young woman out into the desert. Herod's pleas to Augustus are successful and he returns to his palace. His son, Antipater, informs Herod that Aaron has betrayed him.
- DirectorPietro FrancisciMario BavaStarsSteve ReevesSylva KoscinaGabriele AntoniniWhile negotiating peace between two brothers contesting the throne of Thebes, an amnesiac Hercules is seduced by the evil Queen Omphale.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsCharlton HestonJack HawkinsStephen BoydAfter 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.
- DirectorKing VidorStarsYul BrynnerGina LollobrigidaGeorge SandersAfter becoming king of ancient Israel, Solomon faces threats coming from his jealous dispossessed brother Adonijah, the Egyptian Pharaoh and the scheming Queen of Sheba.
- DirectorStanley KubrickAnthony MannStarsKirk DouglasLaurence OlivierJean SimmonsThe slave Spartacus survives brutal training as a gladiator and leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic, as the ambitious Crassus seeks to gain power by crushing the uprising.
- DirectorRaoul WalshMario BavaStarsJoan CollinsRichard EganDenis O'DeaTwo decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting is Persia in the fourth century B.C., as Esther comes to the attention of the recently widowed King Ahasuerus. The King has been trying to stifle and defeat the campaign of hatred fomented against the Jews by his evil minister Haman (Sergio Fantoni). Before the King can pair off with Esther and defeat the villainous Haman, there are several intervening adventures and an additional, attractive woman who competes for attention.
- DirectorViktor TourjanskyStarsLinda CristalPierre BriceArmando FrancioliA beautiful girl and a young physician fall in love in the midst of a family, and power struggle between rival princes of Upper and Lower Egypt. When all seems to turn to the better, a dejected woman gets her revenge, and the couple's destruction.
- DirectorVittorio CottafaviStarsMark ForestBroderick CrawfordGaby AndréA 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.
- DirectorRudolph MatéStarsJack PalanceMilly VitaleGuy RolfeRevak is an Iberian prince from Penda, a small island where the Carthagian fleet ransacked and enslaved the surviving native men, including him. After an eventful passage aboard a galley, Revak becomes an elephant driver in Carthage city, and could become the favorite of mighty women, but has only one thirst: bloody revenge, at all cost, so the barbarian makes common cause with the attacking Romans, Carthage's historical enemy and rival for Mediterranean hegemony, scorning love...
- DirectorVittorio CottafaviStarsBelinda LeeSpyros FokasCarlo GiustiniScheming Messalina marries Roman Emperor Claudius but goes too far with a gladiator.
- DirectorCarlo CampogallianiStarsMark ForestChelo AlonsoVira SilentiMaciste travels to Egypt, where he leads a revolt against an evil queen.
- DirectorCarmine GalloneStarsPierre BrasseurDaniel GélinAnne HeywoodHistorical drama depicting the last of the Punic Wars between the Roman Republic and Carthage.
- DirectorPietro FrancisciStarsRossano BrazziTina LouiseSylva KoscinaDuring the Second Punic War between 214 and 212 B.C. occurred this history of the Roman siege in Greek city of Syracuse. The Romans were preparing for their invasion while Archimedes invents what looks like a satellite dish that reflects the sun's rays and produces a powerful beam of light, strong enough to burn the Roman fleet.
- DirectorGiuseppe VariStarsDaniela RoccaAnthony SteelRobert Alda408 AD. The Visigoths led by Alaric invade northern Italy. At Ravenna, they have to battle, and they are stopped by the power of the Roman legions and the cunning of the emperor's sister, Galla Placidia. As the Goths lose many warriors in the cruel battle, Alaric vows bloody revenge. When the Visigoths return to Ravenna, Galla Placidia manages to send them against Rome instead, and remains alone in her home city with a handful of soldiers. The Visigoths exert their revenge on Rome, attacked and sacked, but then Placidia is captured by Ataulf. The Roman Emperor of the West, Onorius, sends Olympius, consul of Rome, to negotiate Placidia's freedom. It comes down to a single duel between the courageous consul and Ataulf. Ataulf loses, and is honor bound to let Olympius free one of the women prisoners. The consul chooses Sabina, his lawful wife whom he had married for political reasons but for whom he had become in love. Galla Placidia, who longed for Olympius, is therefore forced to accept Ataulf for husband. Her gesture appeases the Visigoth's crave for revenge and the city of Ravenna is spared.
- DirectorGiorgio SimonelliStarsWalter ChiariUgo TognazziAbbe LaneCassio, a tourist guide, and Primo, his bus driver, are taking a bus load of tourists to visit villa Jovis, at Capri island. Close to the Salto di Tiberio (Tiberius Fall...) they have an accident, and they knock their heads hard, losing conscience. They come awake in Tiberius villa, in the midst of an orgy, complete with a group of British dancers, mostly blondes, who are performing for the emperor. Soon, they are wise to an attempt on the emperor's life by his Secretary, who plans to bring the blame on Cassio and Primo's heads. The two men dress up as dancers and try to mix with the British dancers, who are led by Cinthya O'Connor. Meanwhile, the British dancers attack Flavinia, a co-conspirator, and a number of women she had planned to take the place of the dancers and shoot real arrows at the emperor during the dance. The two groups of women have a fight, and Cinthya and her girls prevail, stripping and arresting Flavinia and her seven girls. During the performance of the dance involving bows and arrows, the Secretary stops the show, and accuses the girls of plotting against the emperor's life. Cinthya surprises everybody by revealing she is, in fact, the daughter of Tiberius, and exposes the Secretary as the conspirator. Everything is back to normal, and a large feast is organized to commemorate; it is near the Salto di Tiberio and again, the two tourist guides make a bad fall, knock their heads hard, and loose conscience. They wake up well at the place of their first fall - everything must have been a dream. And yet, the first tourists they see are Tiberius and his daughter Cinthya.
- DirectorCarlo Ludovico BragagliaStarsJayne MansfieldMickey HargitayMassimo SeratoHercules 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.
- DirectorVittorio SalaStarsDorian GrayRod TaylorGianna Maria CanaleTwo musclemen come up against a tribe of Amazon women.
- DirectorNunzio MalasommaStarsRhonda FlemingLang JeffriesDarío MorenoDuring the later years of the Roman Empire, the daughter of a wealthy patrician falls in love with a Christian slave.
- DirectorRiccardo FredaStarsRoland CareyZiva RodannAlberto FarneseIn 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 fabled Golden Fleece. Meanwhile, back at home, his scheming regent is plotting to get his hands on the kingdom--and the queen.
- DirectorSergio GriecoStarsChelo AlonsoJacques SernasMario PetriAn orphan (Chelo Alonso), raised by a foreign tribe, becomes a warrior queen and falls in love with the leader of her enemies.
- DirectorSergio GriecoStarsJeanne ValérieJacques SernasEdmund PurdomDuring the 3rd century B.C. a horde of barbarians are hired by the Phoenian city of Carthage to fight against the Roman empire, but when the city's ruler is unable to fulfill the promised payment made to the mercenaries, they attack the African settlement, where Salammbô --the king's daughter and high priestess of goddess Tanit- tries to settle the matter when the Barbarian leader who has fallen for her steals the sacred veil of Carthage from the temple, without taking into account the evil schemes of a powerful member of the council of wise men.
- DirectorBob McNaughtStarsJeff ChandlerBasil SydneyPeter ArneKing 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 to have David killed. Saul's son, and David's best friend, Jonathan, conspires to help David, who is reluctant to fight back against his own people the Israelites.
- DirectorFernando CerchioStarsDebra PagetEttore ManniErno CrisaCleopatra, after the civil war that followed the assassination of Caesar, met with Marc Antony in Assyria where they planned the defense of Egypt against the Romans. Before leaving, Cleopatra entrusted her young daughter, Shila, to the rulers of Assyria to be brought up as their own. After Marc Antony's defeat and Cleopatra's death, Egypt, for the next twenty years, was torn apart and ruled by a youthful Pharaoh, Nemorat, with his despot Queen Mother, Tegi, who desired to unite both kingdoms and strengthen her son's rule by conquering Assyria and making Shila, now a beautiful woman, his queen.
- DirectorGuido MalatestaStarsEdmund PurdomRossana PodestàLivio LorenzonAt the end of the sixth century, a band of pagan savages attacks a peaceful northern province of Italy.
- DirectorRichard ThorpeFerdinando BaldiStarsVictor MatureOrson WellesLiana OrfeiTartan and Viking forces clash in what is modern-day Russia.
- DirectorAndré De TothLeopoldo SavonaRiccardo FredaStarsJack PalanceAnita EkbergAntonella LualdiDuring the Mongol invasion of Poland, a conflict between Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan and his oldest son Ogotai ensues when the former aims for peace and the latter itches for war and conquest.
- DirectorNicholas RayStarsJeffrey HunterSiobhan McKennaHurd HatfieldThe temporary physical life of the Biblical Savior, Jesus Christ.
- DirectorRichard FleischerStarsAnthony QuinnSilvana ManganoArthur KennedyGovernor Pontius Pilate gave the populace a choice to spare either Barabbas, a criminal, or Jesus, condemned as a heretic, from crucifixion. The masses chose Barrabas, and he is haunted by the image of Jesus for the rest of his life.
- DirectorGiorgio FerroniStarsSteve ReevesJuliette MaynielJohn Drew BarrymoreA retelling of the events leading to the use of the Trojan Horse, to bring down the great city of Troy.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsReg ParkChristopher LeeLeonora RuffoHercules must journey into Hades itself to retrieve the magic stone that will free his love from the powers of darkness.
- DirectorFernando CerchioStarsJeanne CrainVincent PriceEdmund PurdomChronicles the rise and fall of the woman who eventually became known as Queen Nefertiti.
- DirectorAntonio LeonviolaStarsMark ForestMoira OrfeiPaul WynterMaciste arranges for himself and his new friend Bangor to be captured by a mysterious band of white-clad marauders and taken to an underground city. There the two are forced to turn an enormous wheel along with other captives as part of a gold-and-diamonds mining operation. The underground city's queen, Halis Mosab, takes note of the handsome, muscular Maciste and chooses him to be her consort if he can meet such challenges as saving the kidnapped Princess Saliura from a gigantic ape. Maciste kills the ape and carries Saliura back to the aboveground world. The white-clad marauders can't follow them if it means being caught in the sunlight which instantly dissolves them. Maciste then returns to the underground city to save the other captives. Meanwhile, high priest Kahab informs his son, Katar, that their queen is not one of them but, unbeknownst to her, was kidnapped as a small child from the "world above." If Katar can marry her, their children can be "normal" and can live in the world of sunlight. Katar sees Maciste as his enemy and is pleased when the re-captured Maciste is now subjected to a test of strength which will not only kill him but also Bango and another captive named Loth who is in love with the Princess Saliura.
- DirectorGianfranco ParoliniStarsBrad HarrisSergio CianiMara BerniWhile traveling through the kingdom of Sulom, Samson is arrested and finds that the queen no longer reigns and that a power-mad warlord and his army of mercenaries now controls the kingdom. Samson teams up with some of his one-time adversaries to battle the usurper and restore the rightful queen to power.
- DirectorTanio BocciaStarsKirk MorrisCathia CaroLjubica OtasevicThe evil Queen Tenefi, who's usurped the throne of Memphis, demands that a steady supply of young women be sacrificed to the God of Fire inside the Mountain of Thunder. Maciste intervenes and saves from this sacrifice a village's women including the beautiful Antea. Maciste then becomes involved in an effort to restore to the throne of Memphis its rightful ruler, Prince Iram. To accomplish this task Maciste travels to Memphis but is betrayed by the silk merchant, Omnes. The Queen's soldiers capture Maciste and he's forced to undergo a Trial of Strength in which two teams of horses try to pull him apart. Impressed by his beauty and strength, the Queen calls an end to the Trial and then touches Maciste with her magic scepter which erases his memories and places him under her power. A female oracle then gives Antea a dart which, when fired into Maciste, will restore him to his senses. Antea sneaks into the Queen's palace, successfully uses the dart, but falls into the hands of the Queen who orders her to be sacrificed in the Mountain of Thunder. Maciste hears of this, enters the mountain, and rescues Antea just before the mountain explodes and puts an end to the reign of Queen Tenefi.
- DirectorCarlo CampogallianiStarsJack PalanceEleonora Rossi DragoGuy MadisonA cruel Lombard ruler marries the daughter of another king, kills her father, beats her lover but he ultimately faces a major popular revolt against him.
- DirectorCarlo CampogallianiStarsEd FuryCristina GaioniMoira OrfeiUrsus returns from war to find his fiancée, Attea, has been kidnapped by a mysterious sect which sacrifices virgins to its patron goddess. Ursus faces much treachery and is forced to display much courage and strength as he and the blind girl Doreide embark upon a quest to retrieve Attea.
- DirectorSergio CorbucciStarsSteve ReevesGordon ScottVirna LisiTwin brothers revolt against tyranny in pre-Roman Italy and then come to a parting of the ways as they lead their people toward the founding of a new city.
- DirectorAlberto De MartinoAntonio MompletStarsRichard HarrisonIsabelle CoreyLivio LorenzonA Roman warrior leads a revolt against an evil ruler.
- DirectorLionello De FeliceIrving RapperStarsCornel WildeBelinda LeeMassimo SeratoBiopic of Constantine the Great, set between 293-312 AD, from his days as Tribune to his accession as Roman Emperor of Gaul under the tetrarchy system and ending with his battle against the usurper Roman Emperor Maxentius in Rome.
- DirectorRichard PottierStarsRoger MooreMylène DemongeotGiorgia MollThe classic story from the early days of Rome where there are no women. Romulus, the founder of Rome, finds women to be wives from Sabina where there are a lot of women. The Sabine men, of course, attack Rome to get their wives and daughters back.
- DirectorSergio GriecoFrancesco ProsperiStarsRossana PodestàGuy MadisonMario PetriAt the time of Caesar's conquest of Gaul, a Roman tribune falls in-love with the daughter of a Gallic chieftain during a dangerous mission.
- DirectorMario CostaStarsJacques SernasJohn Drew BarrymoreGeneviève GradProtests break out in Corinth against Roman domination, injuring Caius Vinicius, a Roman centurion. He's rescued by Hebe -- daughter of the anti-Roman governor, Critolaus -- who's being unsuccessfully wooed by the governor's second-in-command, the villainous Diaeus. Smitten, Hebe sends the handsome Roman to recuperate at the home of Callicrates, a political moderate. Artemide, wife of Callicrates, also falls for Caius Vinicus but when he spurns her, she has him arrested and imprisoned. Hebe then agrees to marry Diaeus if he will spare the Roman's life but Caius Vinicius is soon freed by Callicrates and his allies, just as a Roman army arrives to battle Corinthian forces.
- DirectorSergio CorbucciGiacomo GentilomoStarsGordon ScottLeonora RuffoJacques SernasGoliath must save the kidnapped women of his village from an evil zombie leader who needs their blood to feed his soldiers.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsCameron MitchellAlice KesslerEllen KesslerTwo estranged brothers confront each other as rivals when war breaks out between Britain and the Vikings for control of England.
- DirectorUmberto ScarpelliStarsGordon MitchellBella CortezRoldano LupiMuscleman Ohro travels to the sinful capital of Atlantis to rebuke its godlessness and hubris and becomes involved in the battle against its evil lord Yoh-tar and his hideous super-science schemes.
- DirectorAntonio LeonviolaStarsGordon MitchellChelo AlonsoVira SilentiStrongman 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.
- DirectorRiccardo FredaStarsGordon ScottYôko TaniDante DiPaoloSam must rescue a beautiful Chinese princess from a marauding horde of warriors.
- DirectorGiorgio FerroniStarsTaina ElgPierre BriceAlberto LupoThe god Dionysus decides to pay a visit to the city of Thebes.
- DirectorRoger CormanStarsMichael ForestFrank WolffBarboura MorrisEvil king Praximedes convinces superhero Atlas to fight for him, but Atlas eventually sees the king's true nature and turns against him.
- DirectorCarlo Ludovico BragagliaStarsEd FuryMoira OrfeiAlberto LupoThe evil dictator Ajak sends his armies to attack a neighboring kingdom, and during the battle, the besieged King Annurius orders one of his subjects to take his son Ursus to a place of safety outside of the city, after first putting a royal medallion around the baby's neck. Ajak kills the king and usurps his throne, but the infant prince is smuggled out of the city to safety.
- 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.
- DirectorLuigi CapuanoStarsSamson BurkeWandisa GuidaLivio LorenzonSira shall marry Zagro, King of Licia, for political reasons.
- DirectorGuido MalatestaStarsBrad HarrisGloria MillandFernando ReyMuscleman fights sea monsters, a horde of giants and a tribe of Amazonian warriors.
- DirectorGiacomo GentilomoStarsCameron MitchellEdmund PurdomIsabelle CoreyHarald and his brother Guntar return to Norway to find their father murdered and his throne usurped. They try to take revenge on Sveno, but a traitor amongst them puts both brother's lives at risk.