Technically, this is at the better end of the genre as both the production standards and - mercifully - the dubbing hold up quite well. Mark Forest could hardly be described as versatile, or good - really - but here, he is also quite decent as the eponymous hero who steps in to stop the annual tribute of thirty young virgins being sent from his Nefer homeland to Babylon. Certainly, the plot offers nothing new - we have seen the same story time and time again with the hero being "Hercules" or "Maciste", but the costumes and sets are colourful and vibrant, there is plenty of strong-man action and although it is a bit heavy on the dialogue side from time to-time, it's still quite an entertaining sword and sandals caper full of the usual court intrigues, gladiatorial sword fights and quite a fun contribution from Arnaldo Fabrizio ("Ninneto") too. You won't remember it afterwards, but it passes eighty-odd minutes amiably enough.
19 Reviews
Standard sword-and-sandal stuff
dinky-429 January 2003
Goliath returns to a kingdom (Nefer?) on the Persian Gulf which has fallen under the cruel domination of Babylon. Each year a number of the kingdom's most beautiful virgins must be sent off to serve the evil Babylonian king. Goliath unites with some local rebels to end this domination, destroying by fire the city of Babylon in the process.
This "peplum" comes with a lot of action: the usual fights, a chariot race, a sea battle, and a climactic conflagration. There's also a touch of romance, (though not involving Goliath), and for comic-relief we're offered one of those midget sidekicks so dear to the hearts of Italian audiences. As usual our hero is subjected to a torture or test-of-strength. In this case he's spreadeagled face-up on a sloping table while spears drop toward him from holes in the ceiling. Some of these spears crash into the table just to one side of the hero's flesh while other spears are halted in their downward plunge mere inches above various parts of the hero's body. (The spear that hurtles toward Goliath's groin is a real attention getter!)
Fans of such goings-on will probably find this an adequate way to pass 80 or so minutes, but there's little to distinguish these goings-on from numerous similar movies. Had Steve Reeves played the lead, the situation might have improved, but here we have Mark Forest (born Lou Degni), a bodybuilder who has the necessary pecs but is short on charisma. Something about the way the skin crinkles around his eyes whenever he smiles makes him look a bit "wimpy."
This "peplum" comes with a lot of action: the usual fights, a chariot race, a sea battle, and a climactic conflagration. There's also a touch of romance, (though not involving Goliath), and for comic-relief we're offered one of those midget sidekicks so dear to the hearts of Italian audiences. As usual our hero is subjected to a torture or test-of-strength. In this case he's spreadeagled face-up on a sloping table while spears drop toward him from holes in the ceiling. Some of these spears crash into the table just to one side of the hero's flesh while other spears are halted in their downward plunge mere inches above various parts of the hero's body. (The spear that hurtles toward Goliath's groin is a real attention getter!)
Fans of such goings-on will probably find this an adequate way to pass 80 or so minutes, but there's little to distinguish these goings-on from numerous similar movies. Had Steve Reeves played the lead, the situation might have improved, but here we have Mark Forest (born Lou Degni), a bodybuilder who has the necessary pecs but is short on charisma. Something about the way the skin crinkles around his eyes whenever he smiles makes him look a bit "wimpy."
Great Sword & Sandal that contains a famous Spurs scene!!!!
elo-equipamentos13 December 2019
Named as Sword & Sandal genre is one my favorite ones, my DVD copy has a Italian original language, therefore in the Italian version Mark forest is Maciste, arriving at Nefer he gathered with 41 revolutionary gladiators to put a close over send 40 virgins girls a year to Babylon to be sacrificed, it's was a price to maintain the peace, they hijack a ship to sink Babylon's ship that is coming to takes all girls to there, the picture has another highlight, a chariots race, likes Ben Hur, the love between the princess with Xandros (Gemma) however the most exiting sequence certainly was the Maciste was chained on a table with several spurs hold by ropes from the celing, their friends have to cut the rope that release the spur toward Maciste's body, many them reach closest, a true breathtaking haunting scene, by the way a true unique, many battles, betrays, lavish giant sets, among others things, has a Midge called Goliath on this version, a true amusing guy, bringing humor to small group, valuable and enjoyable adventure, unfortunately it already didn't come out officially in Brazil, my DVD-R copy is came from internet download!!!
Resume:
First watch: 2012 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD-R / Rating: 6.5
Resume:
First watch: 2012 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD-R / Rating: 6.5
Goliath and the Sins of Babylon
mhrabovsky1-120 February 2006
Pretty good sword and sandal "epic" if you will with using that term. Mark Forrest, who played second fiddle to the immortal Steve Reeves in most of the Hercules type films coming out of Italy, plays the legendary so called "Maciste" in the Italian version and is given the name "Goliath" in the American release of this film. Forrest as usual comes to the rescue of the populace in Babylon, where according to a peace treaty signed with warring Nephyr that 30 virgin girls a year must be either sent or sacrificed whatever as tribute. Naturally a secret band of rebels, led by the ever sword and sandal favorite, Livio Lorenzon with that patented bald head leads a revolt to stop the sacrifice. Forrest joins in with those bulging biceps on display throughout the film and leads the slaves to victory....pretty good chariot race, ala "Ben Hur" in the film with Goliath winning out over the Queen of Babylon, who by terms of the race must marry the winner. Goliath realizes that the queen is in love with another man, one of the slaves leading the revolt and he promises to get them back together at all costs. Plenty of action with fighting ships, and lions on the loose after being led out of dungeons in the city. Forrest displays some bulging pecs and biceps in one scene where he is pinned down on a table with dangling spears falling down one by one intent on keeping him guessing which one will inevitably kill him. Guess what, the biceps rip off the shackles and Goliath escapes...!! One of the better sword and sandal films. All it was missing was Steve Reeves or Gordon Scott to round out the cast.
30 Virgins A Year
bkoganbing19 December 2010
Goliath and the Sins Of Babylon finds the legendary biblical villain a muscular hero in the person of Mark Forest battling for the autonomy of the Kingdom of Nephyr against the Babylonian Empire.
It seems as though back in the day this kingdom was a vassal state and was run by some folks who had a vested interest in keeping things that way. Babylon's tribute among other things from Nephyr was a thirty virgins a year quota they had to meet. One wonders how the gynecological examinations were to make sure that no false goods were delivered to the Babylonian Emperor.
In any event the giant Goliath trains as a gladiator and trains the other gladiators to fight. As in all these peplums naturally it all works out in the end.
Mark Forest is maybe the best looking of all the bodybuilders who were finding work in Italy playing classical heroes. But that ain't reason enough to watch this film.
It seems as though back in the day this kingdom was a vassal state and was run by some folks who had a vested interest in keeping things that way. Babylon's tribute among other things from Nephyr was a thirty virgins a year quota they had to meet. One wonders how the gynecological examinations were to make sure that no false goods were delivered to the Babylonian Emperor.
In any event the giant Goliath trains as a gladiator and trains the other gladiators to fight. As in all these peplums naturally it all works out in the end.
Mark Forest is maybe the best looking of all the bodybuilders who were finding work in Italy playing classical heroes. But that ain't reason enough to watch this film.
The strongest ... well one of them
kosmasp19 August 2020
I don't know how all these Maciste, Hercules and all those big tough (oiled up) guy movies could be made. A friend of mine told me, some of them with repressed homosexuality included. Might be true and I would not be surprised men who like men, enjoying these movies. Good for them and don't take this as a negative.
All that aside, this is one more of those. It is what it is - while this has a negative connotation right now, I hope this will change and just get back to what it literally means, without us having to get all upset. On the other hand, some may get upset on multiple things the movie depicts. Take this for what it is, either relish in it or stop watching ... or you'll be more tortured than our central character here ... well he actually isn't tortured at all. Even with the explanation why that is ... ah well who cares right? It's all fun and games
All that aside, this is one more of those. It is what it is - while this has a negative connotation right now, I hope this will change and just get back to what it literally means, without us having to get all upset. On the other hand, some may get upset on multiple things the movie depicts. Take this for what it is, either relish in it or stop watching ... or you'll be more tortured than our central character here ... well he actually isn't tortured at all. Even with the explanation why that is ... ah well who cares right? It's all fun and games
Not All That Good Of A Film
Rainey-Dawn21 January 2017
Goliath helps to free the Babylonian people from it's own evil rulers that demands 30 virgins to be sacrificed each year. Mark Forest is in the lead strongman role of Maciste / Goliath / Marcellus.
It's an average peplum, nothing all that great. A few of the costumes look really cool and that's about as far as it gets with me.
What I disliked strongly is the fact that they enjoy putting little people in the comic-relief roles and here is another prime example of that. It's a shame to waste talent this way.
Another Mill Creek film from the Warriors 50-pack. Color faded.
2/10
It's an average peplum, nothing all that great. A few of the costumes look really cool and that's about as far as it gets with me.
What I disliked strongly is the fact that they enjoy putting little people in the comic-relief roles and here is another prime example of that. It's a shame to waste talent this way.
Another Mill Creek film from the Warriors 50-pack. Color faded.
2/10
Above average Peplum with the corpulent Mark Forest as intrepid as well as liberator hero
ma-cortes20 May 2017
Here Goliath or Maciste , (the bouncing Mark Forest who , nowadays , he currently teaches opera in the Los Angeles area) , along with Xandros , Giuliano Gemma , and Aceas , Mimmo Palmara battle for the freedom of the Babylonian people . They are the three invincible who join forces with a band of rebels led by Evandro , Livio Lorenzon . Then , Maciste participates a chariot race winning over the Princess of Babylonian , José Greci , though by terms the competition she must marry the winner , but Goliath renounces to be aware she is in love for his colleague Xandros . Later on , they unite wills against two tyrants : Morakeg , Erno Crisa , and King Rukus , Paul Muller . Meanwhile , they attempt to save virginal girls to be sacrificed.
Good Peplum with noisy action , thrills , fights , comical touches and resulting to be pretty entertaining . It's an adventure film with all the ingredients as sword-play , action , brawls , comedy , amusement and typical confrontation between good guys and bad guys . The film displays some impressive scenes about ship battles as well as horse races in Ben Hur style . The picture allows for periods of humor , -as the comic relief is frequently provided by the likable midget- and calm in which to establish characters punctuated by viscerally exciting bursts of action . Stars Mark Forest considered to be one of the best Peplum actors along with Steve Reeves and Gordon Scott . He-man Forest was a hunk who made great number of roman epic films also called ¨Musclemen movies¨ . He was one of a number of bodybuilder and physique model types who followed muscleman Steve Reeves out to Italy in the early 60s and won campy notice playing Herculean characters in those campy Italian sand-and-spear epics . Ursus, Maciste , Goliath , Samson , Hércules , Atlas , Rocha ..., those Italian Muscle man producers must have had a hard time figuring out what to call the musclebound actors who played all these legendary muscleman heroes . Being other second-class Muscle men players the followings : Dan Vadis , Rock Stevens , Gordon Mitchell , Brad Harris , Samson Burke , Reg Park , Ed Fury , Richard Harrison , Kirk Morris , Alan Steel or Sergio Ciani and subsequently Lou Ferrigno . Nobody, nevertheless , topped Steve Reeves in popularity , though Gordon Scott and Mark Forest made him an important competence . Third generation Italian American Forest was the second American actor bodybuilder , after Steve Reeves , to be recruited by Italian producers to star in sword and sandal films . As Mark Forest played a lot of Péplum , such as : Maciste Il invincible , Hercules against the sons of the sun , Leon Di Tebas , Goliath and the Dragón , Maciste Contra I Mongoles , Vengeance of Hercules , among others . As Mark used the money he made making gladiator movies in Italy to study Opera , residing in L.A. where he teaches singing and usually works as a personal trainer . Costars the sympathetic Giuliano Gemma whose first star film was a Peplum : Los Titanes , following several Spaghettis as Ringo , the return of Ringo , Adios gringo , Arizona Colt , California , Day of wrath , Wanted , and Tex .
This film also known as Los Three Invencibles or Goliath and the sins of Babylon or Maciste the World greatest hero contains great production design , brilliant photography , enjoyable soundtrack and a cast of thousands . And evocative and atmospheric musical score by Francesco De Massi . Besides , a colorful and shining cinematography by Mancori . The motion picture was well directed by Michele Lupo who directed all kinds of genres . As Lupo made Peplum as Seven rebel gladiators , The Strongest slaves , La vendetta Di Spartacus ; Westerns as Fistful of knuckles , California , Arizona Colt and Bud Spencer movies as The sheriff and the little extraterrestrial , Bombardero and Buddy goes West
Good Peplum with noisy action , thrills , fights , comical touches and resulting to be pretty entertaining . It's an adventure film with all the ingredients as sword-play , action , brawls , comedy , amusement and typical confrontation between good guys and bad guys . The film displays some impressive scenes about ship battles as well as horse races in Ben Hur style . The picture allows for periods of humor , -as the comic relief is frequently provided by the likable midget- and calm in which to establish characters punctuated by viscerally exciting bursts of action . Stars Mark Forest considered to be one of the best Peplum actors along with Steve Reeves and Gordon Scott . He-man Forest was a hunk who made great number of roman epic films also called ¨Musclemen movies¨ . He was one of a number of bodybuilder and physique model types who followed muscleman Steve Reeves out to Italy in the early 60s and won campy notice playing Herculean characters in those campy Italian sand-and-spear epics . Ursus, Maciste , Goliath , Samson , Hércules , Atlas , Rocha ..., those Italian Muscle man producers must have had a hard time figuring out what to call the musclebound actors who played all these legendary muscleman heroes . Being other second-class Muscle men players the followings : Dan Vadis , Rock Stevens , Gordon Mitchell , Brad Harris , Samson Burke , Reg Park , Ed Fury , Richard Harrison , Kirk Morris , Alan Steel or Sergio Ciani and subsequently Lou Ferrigno . Nobody, nevertheless , topped Steve Reeves in popularity , though Gordon Scott and Mark Forest made him an important competence . Third generation Italian American Forest was the second American actor bodybuilder , after Steve Reeves , to be recruited by Italian producers to star in sword and sandal films . As Mark Forest played a lot of Péplum , such as : Maciste Il invincible , Hercules against the sons of the sun , Leon Di Tebas , Goliath and the Dragón , Maciste Contra I Mongoles , Vengeance of Hercules , among others . As Mark used the money he made making gladiator movies in Italy to study Opera , residing in L.A. where he teaches singing and usually works as a personal trainer . Costars the sympathetic Giuliano Gemma whose first star film was a Peplum : Los Titanes , following several Spaghettis as Ringo , the return of Ringo , Adios gringo , Arizona Colt , California , Day of wrath , Wanted , and Tex .
This film also known as Los Three Invencibles or Goliath and the sins of Babylon or Maciste the World greatest hero contains great production design , brilliant photography , enjoyable soundtrack and a cast of thousands . And evocative and atmospheric musical score by Francesco De Massi . Besides , a colorful and shining cinematography by Mancori . The motion picture was well directed by Michele Lupo who directed all kinds of genres . As Lupo made Peplum as Seven rebel gladiators , The Strongest slaves , La vendetta Di Spartacus ; Westerns as Fistful of knuckles , California , Arizona Colt and Bud Spencer movies as The sheriff and the little extraterrestrial , Bombardero and Buddy goes West
Better than average
jordondave-2808529 November 2023
(1963) Maciste, the World's Greatest Hero/ Maciste, l'eroe più grande del mondo/ Goliath And the Sins of Babylon
DUBBED
MYTHICAL HISTORICAL FICTION
Saw this movie as the alternative title "Goliath And the Sins of Babylon" that has Mark Forest as Goliath joining rebels against a tyrant king King Rukus (Paul Muller) and his right hand man Morakeg (Erno Crisa) kidnapping young women (supposedly virgins) to be used as pawns.
I don't quite remember why I liked this movie for it has been awhile since I last saw this. All I know is that it was better than the average Italian/ Spanish co production sword and sandals movie. It was on one of those cheapo sword and sandals DVD sets cramming so many movies onto a single disc with no bonus features.
Saw this movie as the alternative title "Goliath And the Sins of Babylon" that has Mark Forest as Goliath joining rebels against a tyrant king King Rukus (Paul Muller) and his right hand man Morakeg (Erno Crisa) kidnapping young women (supposedly virgins) to be used as pawns.
I don't quite remember why I liked this movie for it has been awhile since I last saw this. All I know is that it was better than the average Italian/ Spanish co production sword and sandals movie. It was on one of those cheapo sword and sandals DVD sets cramming so many movies onto a single disc with no bonus features.
One of the best of the genre
horrorfilmx18 October 2007
Way above average for this type of thing. Lavishly produced, with plenty of truly rousing action sequences and a real sense of fun helped in no small way by the presence of Mark Forest. Forest had charisma to spare, with his teen idol good looks (impaired only slightly by a prematurely receding hairline!) and herculean physique. Most of all he really seemed to get into the action and fight scenes and in this film he's ably supported by the stunt choreographers, who bring a sense of humor reminiscent of the old Burt Lancaster epics (THE CRIMSON PIRATE etc.) or the early Jackie Chan. In addition SINS OF BABYLON is directed with real flair. Highly recommended for those into peplum.
Goliath and the sins of Babylon
coltras3523 December 2023
Maciste (Goliath in the American release) is in Nefir, a vassal state of the Babylonian empire. He becomes involved in local politics when as part of their tribute to Babylon, Nefir must provide thirty virgin girls each year. When one escapes her captor Maciste vanquishes a large group of soldiers. He comes to the attention of the local resistance who conceal their military training to overthrow the regime by acting as gladiators. Maciste joins the Resistance ...
Mark Forest flexes his muscles adequately as Maciste- or Goliath in the American version - and it's a typical peplum adventure with villains, stolen virgins, a chariot race to determine who will take the princess as his wife, thus will rule and some decent action such as a lively sea battle, a large scale chariot race and some energetic sword battles feature. It's a familiar tale but sprinkled with some zest and colour.
Mark Forest flexes his muscles adequately as Maciste- or Goliath in the American version - and it's a typical peplum adventure with villains, stolen virgins, a chariot race to determine who will take the princess as his wife, thus will rule and some decent action such as a lively sea battle, a large scale chariot race and some energetic sword battles feature. It's a familiar tale but sprinkled with some zest and colour.
Goliath and the Sins of Babylon
mhrabovsky1-120 February 2006
Pretty good sword and sandal "epic" if you will with using that term.
Mark Forrest, who played second fiddle to the immortal Steve Reeves in
most of the Hercules type films coming out of Italy, plays the
legendary so called "Maciste" in the Italian version and is given the
name "Goliath" in the American release of this film. Forrest as usual
comes to the rescue of the populace in Babylon, where according to a
peace treaty signed with warring Nephyr that 30 virgin girls a year
must be either sent or sacrificed whatever as tribute. Naturally a
secret band of rebels, led by the ever sword and sandal favorite, Livio
Lorenzon with that patented bald head leads a revolt to stop the
sacrifice. Forrest joins in with those bulging biceps on display
throughout the film and leads the slaves to victory....pretty good
chariot race, ala "Ben Hur" in the film with Goliath winning out over
the Queen of Babylon, who by terms of the race must marry the winner.
Goliath realizes that the queen is in love with another man, one of the
slaves leading the revolt and he promises to get them back together at
all costs. Plenty of action with fighting ships, and lions on the loose
after being led out of dungeons in the city. Forrest displays some
bulging pecs and biceps in one scene where he is pinned down on a table
with dangling spears falling down one by one intent on keeping him
guessing which one will inevitably kill him. Guess what, the biceps rip
off the shackles and Goliath escapes...!! One of the better sword and
sandal films. All it was missing was Steve Reeves or Gordon Scott to
round out the cast.
"It's easy to confound a woman's heart"
hwg1957-102-26570426 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Goliath (aka Maciste) joins the people of Nephyr in their rebellion against Babylon who each year demands thirty virgins as tribute, whom they then wastefully put to death. Aided by young Xandros and older Alceas the mighty Maciste (aka Goliath) defeats the evil rulers of Babylon. It is a lively film with battles at sea and on land, a chariot race, fighting in catacombs etc. The usual peplum elements maybe but done with enthusiasm and looking really good in 'Technicolour' and 'Techniscope.' with interesting sets and costumes.
Mark Forest as the titular Goliath is fine, whether laughing or fighting, he is an engaging presence. The supporting cast are just right for their roles. Mimmo Palmara as Alceas is a familiar sword and sandal actor.and José Greci as Regia is definitely worth fighting for. All in all an enjoyable romp
Mark Forest as the titular Goliath is fine, whether laughing or fighting, he is an engaging presence. The supporting cast are just right for their roles. Mimmo Palmara as Alceas is a familiar sword and sandal actor.and José Greci as Regia is definitely worth fighting for. All in all an enjoyable romp
SPARTACUS Meets BEN HUR, But Leave the Midget at Home Next Time, Guys
Steve_Nyland29 July 2006
The use of Little People (or "midgets" in hammerhead speak) in these Italian Peplum films always puzzles me. I am sure the diminutive actors were delighted to have the opportunity to work and it looks like most of them enjoyed their experiences. The purpose appears to be comic relief: Watch the little guy run between the legs of the two Pizza-Pizza guards with their plumed helmets, they bend down to grab him, their heads konk together & the mini hero turns, issues a poorly lip synced wise crack, and later ends up reclining on a couch surrounded by fawning harem girls who think he's so cute ... Watch the midget bonk a guy over the head with a club to save the muscle bound hero, Ho Ho Ho. I'll grant that the Midget Role is an important part of the Peplum film formula, but the hyperactive, wise-cracking ball of energy in this one is SO obnoxiously used that it detracts from what otherwise would have been a 10/10 effort. Times have changed over the course of the 43 years (!!) since this film was made and I don't find midgets to be inherently funny. So pardon my raining on the parade here a bit.
All that aside this is a *WAY* superior action/adventure film populated & made by the best from the Italian cult genre school of film-making: Director Michele Lupo, composer Francesco De Masi, and performers Mark Forest, genre legend Giuliano Gemma, José Greci, José Canalejas, Piero Lulli, and the great Paul Muller. The scope of the film is also on a much grander scale than the usual throwaway Peplum shenanigans of Pizza-Pizza guards chasing a Son of Hercules & his damsel in distress over the familiar looking countrysides of Morocco, Spain, France or Italy that would later be featured in the Spaghetti Western craze which came after the Peplum Fad died out: It's like SPARTACUS meets BEN HUR meets HERCULES meets THE SEVEN GLADIATORS -- A group of super noble Adonis types battles an evil tyrant king to free their people from the yoke of oppression, namely a yearly tribute of "The 30 most lovely virgins" as sacrifices to the gods. The whole idea of depleting a people of their most sexually attractive women just to sacrifice them is of course appalling but ultimately counter-productive. Who in their right mind would want to selectively exterminate all of the good lookin' babes??
Again, with all that aside, this movie totally rocks: There is an extended, violent chariot race, duels to the death a-plenty, scenes where the Herculean heroes take on entire squadrons of Pizza-Pizza guards & make them look like buffoons, prisoners being thrown to the lions for kicks, and an eye-popping battle between two full-sized war galleons that were made just for use in the film that is amongst the most spectacular battle scenes from these potboilers that I've ever witnessed. A surprisingly large sum of money & talent was sunk into this project (1963 was perhaps the zenith year for the Peplum Fad) and it shows. Even non-fans of the genre will be impressed & entertained by the film, with gorgeous women, expansive detailed set construction, some genuinely creative camera work, a cast of thousands and a body count to match, dialog that actually sounds like stuff out of classical Roman history, nefarious court intrigue that holds the fates of entire peoples in the balance, and truly committed performances by the leads ... even the midget throws himself into the role with a certain amount of gusto that's admirable if ultimately annoying to the point of detracting from how seriously one can really regard the film during his scenes.
No offense meant mind you, I just don't understand why someone would go through so much effort to create a really superior, epic scale entertainment & then shoot themselves in the foot with extraneous craparoni. But to quote the late Dr. Carl Sagan yet again, "The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with mere human ambition", and if getting to enjoy such a splendid film requires couple dozen stupid midget humor scenes then that is a price I will be happy to pay. This movie RULEZ!
9/10: Leave the midget at home next time guys, they aren't funny anymore, and serve only to demonstrate the insensitivity of the times in which the movie was made. So be it.
All that aside this is a *WAY* superior action/adventure film populated & made by the best from the Italian cult genre school of film-making: Director Michele Lupo, composer Francesco De Masi, and performers Mark Forest, genre legend Giuliano Gemma, José Greci, José Canalejas, Piero Lulli, and the great Paul Muller. The scope of the film is also on a much grander scale than the usual throwaway Peplum shenanigans of Pizza-Pizza guards chasing a Son of Hercules & his damsel in distress over the familiar looking countrysides of Morocco, Spain, France or Italy that would later be featured in the Spaghetti Western craze which came after the Peplum Fad died out: It's like SPARTACUS meets BEN HUR meets HERCULES meets THE SEVEN GLADIATORS -- A group of super noble Adonis types battles an evil tyrant king to free their people from the yoke of oppression, namely a yearly tribute of "The 30 most lovely virgins" as sacrifices to the gods. The whole idea of depleting a people of their most sexually attractive women just to sacrifice them is of course appalling but ultimately counter-productive. Who in their right mind would want to selectively exterminate all of the good lookin' babes??
Again, with all that aside, this movie totally rocks: There is an extended, violent chariot race, duels to the death a-plenty, scenes where the Herculean heroes take on entire squadrons of Pizza-Pizza guards & make them look like buffoons, prisoners being thrown to the lions for kicks, and an eye-popping battle between two full-sized war galleons that were made just for use in the film that is amongst the most spectacular battle scenes from these potboilers that I've ever witnessed. A surprisingly large sum of money & talent was sunk into this project (1963 was perhaps the zenith year for the Peplum Fad) and it shows. Even non-fans of the genre will be impressed & entertained by the film, with gorgeous women, expansive detailed set construction, some genuinely creative camera work, a cast of thousands and a body count to match, dialog that actually sounds like stuff out of classical Roman history, nefarious court intrigue that holds the fates of entire peoples in the balance, and truly committed performances by the leads ... even the midget throws himself into the role with a certain amount of gusto that's admirable if ultimately annoying to the point of detracting from how seriously one can really regard the film during his scenes.
No offense meant mind you, I just don't understand why someone would go through so much effort to create a really superior, epic scale entertainment & then shoot themselves in the foot with extraneous craparoni. But to quote the late Dr. Carl Sagan yet again, "The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with mere human ambition", and if getting to enjoy such a splendid film requires couple dozen stupid midget humor scenes then that is a price I will be happy to pay. This movie RULEZ!
9/10: Leave the midget at home next time guys, they aren't funny anymore, and serve only to demonstrate the insensitivity of the times in which the movie was made. So be it.
An Above-Average Muscleman Movie with Mark Forest as Goliath
zardoz-1325 April 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This superior sword and sandal saga benefits enormously from lofty production values, a solid cast, and a believable storyline. Nothing supernatural occurs in "Goliath and the Sins of Babylon." Our half-clad muscle-bound hero doesn't tangle with three-headed canines, fire-breathing dragons, or flying man-bats. As usual, this epic concerns an enslaved nation whose rebels plot to overthrow an tyrannical ruler, end palace intrigue, and allow a rightful heir to ascend to the throne. What sets "Goliath and the Sins of Babylon" apart from other ancient epics is the skillful use of irony and the surprises in the screenplay by Lionello De Felice of "Colossus of the Arena," Roberto Gianviti of "Seven Slaves Against the World," and Francesco Scardamaglia of "Seven Rebel Gladiators." "Colossus of the Arena" director Michele Lupo draws on a dwarf for comic relief. Mark Forest makes a sympathetic strongman hero, while Erno Crisa and Piero Lulli are sufficiently treacherous as the villains. Future Spaghetti western star Giuliano Gemma co-stars as Goliath's friend and ally Xandros.
An anonymous narrator establishes the setting: "Two hundred years before the birth of Christ, the small kingdom of Nefer in the Persian Gulf was forced to pay tribute to its conqueror Babylon. The people of Nefer trembled with outrage and fear as the soldiers came to collect the yearly price, thirty of the loveliest virgins of the land." As the film opens, a girl (Eleonora Bianchi of "Ulysses against the Son of Hercules") bids farewell to her tearful family before the soldiers of King Pergasos, wearing red outfits, appropriate her as one of the sacrificial thirty. She tries to escape. Just when she believes she had eluded Pergasos's troops in the market place, she runs smack into the arms of another soldier. Goliath (Mark Forest of "Son of Samson") objects to the way the soldier roughs up the girl and intervenes on her behalf. After Goliath displays his courage against the armed soldiers, they flee like cowards.
A resourceful little person, the mischievous dwarf Ninneto (Arnaldo Fabrizio of "Samson and the Mighty Challenge"), emerges from his hiding place in a basket strapped to a horse and warns Goliath about the consequences of this act of defiance. Ninneto flees to a nearby tavern and tells Alceas (Mimmo Palmara of "Kindar the Invulnerable") and his friend Xandros (Giuliano Gemma of "Day of Anger") about Goliath. When these two see Goliath surrounded by the soldiers, they ride to his rescue. They literally hoist the strong man up by his brawny biceps and carry him away between them. An imperturbable Goliath threatens to unhorse them, but they convince him not to because all three of them would be captured. Meanwhile, Pergasos's soldiers pursue them on horseback, but the little fellow shuts the city gates before the Pergasos's men reach it.
The next time we see Goliath, Alceas, and Xandros, they are behind bars in an arena watching gladiators practice. Initially, Goliath refuses to become a gladiator. The leader of an underground movement against the monarchy, Evandro (Livio Lorenzon of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"), explains to Goliath that the men training as gladiators in the arena are a part of a conspiracy to overthrow their dastardly ruler. According to Evandro, Nefer fought a war with Babylon four years ago and lost. The king of Nefer was murdered, and his older brother, Pergasos (Piero Lulli of "My Name Is Nobody"),arranged an armistice with Babylon. The Babylonians take thirty virgins annually and sacrifice them. When Goliath asks about the slain king's daughter, Regia (José Greci of "War Gods of Babylon"), Evandro explains their law dictates that she must take a husband before she can rule. A frustrated Evandro fumes: "Who knows when a marriage will take place." Xandros states that they have pledged to halt these shipments of slave girls to Babylon. Evandro invites Goliath to join them so they will be 42 in number. Ninneto chimes in "42 and a half" and joins them, too. "Alright," Alceas chuckles, "we'll make you our mascot." Indeed, Ninneto serves as comic relief, and he is genuinely funny, a little guy who can knock out unsuspecting warriors three-times his own size. The pottery scene where he eludes the soldiers is better than you'd imagine, particularly because Ninneto gets away!
"Colossus of the Arena" director Michele Lupo stages a boisterous sea battle, a careening chariot race, and several sword fights with aplomb. Mind you, the chariot race is nothing compared to "Ben-Hur," but the arena setting is spectacular enough for an Italian peplum. Lupo is particularly adept at creating interesting transitions and the one involving the gong being struck is really good. The only thing lacking is the typical trials that the herculean hero endures to prove his strength. Displays of brawn do not appear as often as they do in other better peplum movies. One of the big scenes shows Goliath chained to a slab in the dudgeon. Above him are several holes and each hole conceals a wicked looking spear. The spears are released by means of cutting the rope holding them and then this pointed weapons travel downward toward its victim. It is a cop-out that none of the spears actually strike our hero. The spears stop several inches from his important body parts while he patiently waits and then later rips out the irons restraining him.
Overall, Lupo does a good job with "Goliath and the Sins of Babylon." The Retromedia DVD widescreen presentation on Retromedia looks fantastic. This is one of the most polished looking Peplums ever with pristine looking sets. This marked lenser Mario Sbrenna's debut as cinematographer, and he makes everything appear larger-than-life. Unfortunately, we never get to witness any of the sins of Babylon, short of people being fed to lions.
An anonymous narrator establishes the setting: "Two hundred years before the birth of Christ, the small kingdom of Nefer in the Persian Gulf was forced to pay tribute to its conqueror Babylon. The people of Nefer trembled with outrage and fear as the soldiers came to collect the yearly price, thirty of the loveliest virgins of the land." As the film opens, a girl (Eleonora Bianchi of "Ulysses against the Son of Hercules") bids farewell to her tearful family before the soldiers of King Pergasos, wearing red outfits, appropriate her as one of the sacrificial thirty. She tries to escape. Just when she believes she had eluded Pergasos's troops in the market place, she runs smack into the arms of another soldier. Goliath (Mark Forest of "Son of Samson") objects to the way the soldier roughs up the girl and intervenes on her behalf. After Goliath displays his courage against the armed soldiers, they flee like cowards.
A resourceful little person, the mischievous dwarf Ninneto (Arnaldo Fabrizio of "Samson and the Mighty Challenge"), emerges from his hiding place in a basket strapped to a horse and warns Goliath about the consequences of this act of defiance. Ninneto flees to a nearby tavern and tells Alceas (Mimmo Palmara of "Kindar the Invulnerable") and his friend Xandros (Giuliano Gemma of "Day of Anger") about Goliath. When these two see Goliath surrounded by the soldiers, they ride to his rescue. They literally hoist the strong man up by his brawny biceps and carry him away between them. An imperturbable Goliath threatens to unhorse them, but they convince him not to because all three of them would be captured. Meanwhile, Pergasos's soldiers pursue them on horseback, but the little fellow shuts the city gates before the Pergasos's men reach it.
The next time we see Goliath, Alceas, and Xandros, they are behind bars in an arena watching gladiators practice. Initially, Goliath refuses to become a gladiator. The leader of an underground movement against the monarchy, Evandro (Livio Lorenzon of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"), explains to Goliath that the men training as gladiators in the arena are a part of a conspiracy to overthrow their dastardly ruler. According to Evandro, Nefer fought a war with Babylon four years ago and lost. The king of Nefer was murdered, and his older brother, Pergasos (Piero Lulli of "My Name Is Nobody"),arranged an armistice with Babylon. The Babylonians take thirty virgins annually and sacrifice them. When Goliath asks about the slain king's daughter, Regia (José Greci of "War Gods of Babylon"), Evandro explains their law dictates that she must take a husband before she can rule. A frustrated Evandro fumes: "Who knows when a marriage will take place." Xandros states that they have pledged to halt these shipments of slave girls to Babylon. Evandro invites Goliath to join them so they will be 42 in number. Ninneto chimes in "42 and a half" and joins them, too. "Alright," Alceas chuckles, "we'll make you our mascot." Indeed, Ninneto serves as comic relief, and he is genuinely funny, a little guy who can knock out unsuspecting warriors three-times his own size. The pottery scene where he eludes the soldiers is better than you'd imagine, particularly because Ninneto gets away!
"Colossus of the Arena" director Michele Lupo stages a boisterous sea battle, a careening chariot race, and several sword fights with aplomb. Mind you, the chariot race is nothing compared to "Ben-Hur," but the arena setting is spectacular enough for an Italian peplum. Lupo is particularly adept at creating interesting transitions and the one involving the gong being struck is really good. The only thing lacking is the typical trials that the herculean hero endures to prove his strength. Displays of brawn do not appear as often as they do in other better peplum movies. One of the big scenes shows Goliath chained to a slab in the dudgeon. Above him are several holes and each hole conceals a wicked looking spear. The spears are released by means of cutting the rope holding them and then this pointed weapons travel downward toward its victim. It is a cop-out that none of the spears actually strike our hero. The spears stop several inches from his important body parts while he patiently waits and then later rips out the irons restraining him.
Overall, Lupo does a good job with "Goliath and the Sins of Babylon." The Retromedia DVD widescreen presentation on Retromedia looks fantastic. This is one of the most polished looking Peplums ever with pristine looking sets. This marked lenser Mario Sbrenna's debut as cinematographer, and he makes everything appear larger-than-life. Unfortunately, we never get to witness any of the sins of Babylon, short of people being fed to lions.
When Genres Repeat
dbborroughs16 April 2004
Goliath returns to his home land to help stop the flow of 30 virgins a year to Babylon.
As Sword and Sandal films go this is pretty good. Its not the worst its not the best. Its just a good, light entertaining film that makes you smile as things go along. Filled with interesting set pieces, a chariot race, a sea battle, dungeon torture, this movie attempts to give you more than the usual film of this nature.
The trouble is that the film seems to have been done before. Its not even so much that the film has the same plot as the vast majority of this type of film, its that the sets, the tortures and perhaps whole sequences show up elsewhere. Even allowing for the fact that the trailer has shown up on various other taps and DVDs, this film seems overly familiar, especially to anyone who has ever watched more than a handful of these films.
Still as these things go its not a bad movie. See it.
As Sword and Sandal films go this is pretty good. Its not the worst its not the best. Its just a good, light entertaining film that makes you smile as things go along. Filled with interesting set pieces, a chariot race, a sea battle, dungeon torture, this movie attempts to give you more than the usual film of this nature.
The trouble is that the film seems to have been done before. Its not even so much that the film has the same plot as the vast majority of this type of film, its that the sets, the tortures and perhaps whole sequences show up elsewhere. Even allowing for the fact that the trailer has shown up on various other taps and DVDs, this film seems overly familiar, especially to anyone who has ever watched more than a handful of these films.
Still as these things go its not a bad movie. See it.
Entertaining despite its many flaws
Maciste_Brother27 May 2008
GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON is a sensational title. Unfortunately, the film doesn't live up to the title. It's a wildly uneven Sword & Sandal which runs hot to cold and vice versa. It starts off promisingly (30 "virgins" for the evil King of Babylon in exchange for peace) but then the movie totally forgets about that plot point and concentrates on typical brawny action, with the stand-out scene being the one where Hercules, eh, Maciste, eh, Goliath (Mark Forest sans beard) is bound to an altar and directly above are holes in the ceiling with spears attached to ropes within those holes, and whenever the ropes are cut, one spear is released and is supposed to fall on Goliath. Oh, and the bad guy forces Goliath's partners to cut the ropes to see if they're trust-worthy. The scene is effective and it's very reminiscent of the laser scene in GOLDFINGER, which was made a year after this Goliath film, so kudos to the filmmakers here.
The rest of the film is standard S&S action hampered by an uneven script and an unfortunate use of stock footage from other films. The film has many highlights, including the battle on the ships and the chariot race, which look like they were cleverly edited with scenes taken from other movies. Or the editing is just bad and the shots just don't match. The chariot race is actually very good, certainly with the added detail of the Princess (the beautiful José Greci) participating in the race. I've never seen a chariot race with a woman. It's cool. But other scenes don't fare better. For example, the battle between the ships looks like it's from another film. You see, the boat with our heroes, in the close-ups, the men are mostly bare-chested and yet in the long shots (presumably the shots from the other film) there are no bare-chested men! During the chariot race, when one man, wearing a green tunic falls off of his chariot, the tunic is totally different in the close-up shots from the long shots. These big continuity errors make the lavish film look cheap.
Then there's that annoying little people actor, who was also in THE TEN GLADIATORS and basically ruined that film. I purchased the WARRIORS 50 DVD pack and he's in three films up to now. I hope he's not in more films! The image quality on the WARRIORS 50 DVD pack is awful, so much so that I purchased the Retro Media DVD, which is in widescreen. The image on this DVD is excellent and the movie was certainly better because of it. It's a must for fans.
The cast is very good and the star power adds much to the uneven production. Mark Forest is beefy perfection. He's supposed to play Maciste but he's Goliath in the US version. This story is not a one man show though as Goliath joins others to prevent the 30 virgins to be shipped to Babylonia. Mimmo Palmara and Giuliano Gemma, as Xandros, are part of the beefy team rebelling against the rulers of Babylonia. As I mentioned before, José Greci plays the Princess who's character, by law, can only marry a man who can defeat her in the Chariot race. Yes, you read that right.
GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON is certainly spirited and it doesn't take itself too seriously, which is a plus. The music score is good. In general, it's an above average Peplum. But the suspected use of stock footage, the muddled script & the annoying midget keep it from being a great Peplum.
The rest of the film is standard S&S action hampered by an uneven script and an unfortunate use of stock footage from other films. The film has many highlights, including the battle on the ships and the chariot race, which look like they were cleverly edited with scenes taken from other movies. Or the editing is just bad and the shots just don't match. The chariot race is actually very good, certainly with the added detail of the Princess (the beautiful José Greci) participating in the race. I've never seen a chariot race with a woman. It's cool. But other scenes don't fare better. For example, the battle between the ships looks like it's from another film. You see, the boat with our heroes, in the close-ups, the men are mostly bare-chested and yet in the long shots (presumably the shots from the other film) there are no bare-chested men! During the chariot race, when one man, wearing a green tunic falls off of his chariot, the tunic is totally different in the close-up shots from the long shots. These big continuity errors make the lavish film look cheap.
Then there's that annoying little people actor, who was also in THE TEN GLADIATORS and basically ruined that film. I purchased the WARRIORS 50 DVD pack and he's in three films up to now. I hope he's not in more films! The image quality on the WARRIORS 50 DVD pack is awful, so much so that I purchased the Retro Media DVD, which is in widescreen. The image on this DVD is excellent and the movie was certainly better because of it. It's a must for fans.
The cast is very good and the star power adds much to the uneven production. Mark Forest is beefy perfection. He's supposed to play Maciste but he's Goliath in the US version. This story is not a one man show though as Goliath joins others to prevent the 30 virgins to be shipped to Babylonia. Mimmo Palmara and Giuliano Gemma, as Xandros, are part of the beefy team rebelling against the rulers of Babylonia. As I mentioned before, José Greci plays the Princess who's character, by law, can only marry a man who can defeat her in the Chariot race. Yes, you read that right.
GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON is certainly spirited and it doesn't take itself too seriously, which is a plus. The music score is good. In general, it's an above average Peplum. But the suspected use of stock footage, the muddled script & the annoying midget keep it from being a great Peplum.
Not that much to differentiate it from other genre examples
Wizard-84 March 2017
I thought that "Goliath and the Sins of Babylon" was one of the weaker Italian-made sword and sandal movies I have seen to date. I admit it could have been a lot worse, because buried in the movie are some positive traits. For one thing, it does deliver some nice eye candy, most particularly with the production design. The props and sets are quite lavish at times, from gigantic ocean going ships to areas. And often when these good production values are on display, there are some decent action sequences that do raise the pulse of the movie momentarily when they are unfolding.
Unfortunately, the eye candy and the action only take up a small portion of the eighty minute or so running time. Most of the movie is quite boring, with a lot of dry chat and more plot points that are necessary. And the movie's main protagonist (played by Mark Forest) isn't all that engaging. He doesn't seem to have that much that differentiates him from his brothers in arms that are fighting the antagonists, and as a result he comes across as quite bland.
This movie could have been a lot worse, but as I said, there's not all that much that makes it stand out from the dozens of other Italian sword and sorcery movies made in this period.
Unfortunately, the eye candy and the action only take up a small portion of the eighty minute or so running time. Most of the movie is quite boring, with a lot of dry chat and more plot points that are necessary. And the movie's main protagonist (played by Mark Forest) isn't all that engaging. He doesn't seem to have that much that differentiates him from his brothers in arms that are fighting the antagonists, and as a result he comes across as quite bland.
This movie could have been a lot worse, but as I said, there's not all that much that makes it stand out from the dozens of other Italian sword and sorcery movies made in this period.
A lackluster Italian muscleman "epic" responsible for one of the greatest exploitation movie posters of all time.
TheVid13 March 2003
This Mark Forest (Lou Degni) vehicle is par-for-the-course peplum, but American International was able to pack them in at the boxoffice with the stunning poster accompanying this film's US release. If you're into movie poster art, then look for this piece on Ebay; it's the definitive exploitation teaser for this genre.
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