Italian Sword and Sandal films

[DukeTogo84]

I'm trying to see how many Italian sword and sandal films have gotten releases here. There are a ton of these films, but can't find much information. I know that WAC released Colossus of Rhodes and Kino released Revolt of the Slaves, but was wondering if there are any other releases?

I'll make a list of the ones that are out here

[DR Herbert West]

[Jobla]

From the Golden Age of Peplum (1958-1964), there have been four Blu-ray releases:

ERIK THE CONQUEROR
THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES
HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD (Koch Media, Germany)
REVOLT OF THE SLAVES

January will see Kino release Bava's KNIVES OF THE AVENGER.

Ironically, there are no Steve Reeves films on Blu-ray.

This is probably the most underrepresented genre on Blu-ray.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

I've been meaning to get these. More interested in the films from the late 50's to early 60's, but these are still ones I need to get.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Jobla

From the Golden Age of Peplum (1958-1964), there have been four Blu-ray releases:

ERIK THE CONQUEROR
THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES
HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD (Koch Media, Germany)
REVOLT OF THE SLAVES

January will see Kino release Bava's KNIVES OF THE AVENGER.

Ironically, there are no Steve Reeves films on Blu-ray.

This is probably the most underrepresented genre on Blu-ray.

ERIK THE CONQUEROR seemed to have slipped past me, but thanks for that.

Yeah, there are so many films from the genre, with little to no Blu-rays of the films. Hope that changes.

[cropduster]

Originally Posted by Jobla

Ironically, there are no Steve Reeves films on Blu-ray.

Code Red released A Long Ride From Hell with Steve Reeves on blu-ray. The film is a spaghetti western though and not a sword and sandal film.

[monwobbbo]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I've been meaning to get these. More interested in the films from the late 50's to early 60's, but these are still ones I need to get.

have you actually seen these? the first film is one of the worst movies ever (and i'm super tolerant of cheezy films). saw it in the theater when it came out and for the first time i was tempted to just leave before it finished. haven't seen the 2nd one but ater watching his Sinbad movie from the same time period i just can't do that to myself.

i'm all for the late 50s early 60s titles that feature monsters to come out as those are my favs.

[Boggle]

I would almost write these films off totally as something I'm just not interested in... but then there's Hercules in the Haunted World. Which somehow ends up being totally awesome.

[Jobla]

I love the peplum cinema, having grown up with it. In 1961, you could find Steve Reeves films playing in ten different hardtop theaters, and those weren't saturation bookings. Most people probably have no idea how popular those films were back in the early 1960's.

I forgot about Reeves' A LONG RIDE FROM HELL being on Blu-ray, but that's his least interesting film to me.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by monwobbbo

have you actually seen these? the first film is one of the worst movies ever (and i'm super tolerant of cheezy films). saw it in the theater when it came out and for the first time i was tempted to just leave before it finished. haven't seen the 2nd one but ater watching his Sinbad movie from the same time period i just can't do that to myself.

i'm all for the late 50s early 60s titles that feature monsters to come out as those are my favs.

I've seen the second. Had it recorded on VHS as a kid and remember really enjoying it. They never seemed to show the first one, which was really annoying as the second film seemed to continue where the first one left off. (Thankfully there was a recap) Not sure how it holds up, but would still be willing to watch the first.

[monwobbbo]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I've seen the second. Had it recorded on VHS as a kid and remember really enjoying it. They never seemed to show the first one, which was really annoying as the second film seemed to continue where the first one left off. (Thankfully there was a recap) Not sure how it holds up, but would still be willing to watch the first.

nothing wrong with giving anything a try. perhaps the 2nd one was better but the first was a huge disappointment. crappy mechanical monsters and really bad production values. of course i was in my mid 20s when it came out so it doesn't have the appeal that it might have if i was a kid.

[Killer Meteor]

I'm always surprised that the Steve Reeves Hercules has never got an official releases on DVD in the US or UK, never mind Blu-Ray.

[Jobla]

I've heard a "rumor" that one of the small labels is considering a release of HERCULES.

That title has been rumored before, so I won't name the company. They are reportedly looking for good film elements for a possible release.

I'm not putting a lot of faith in this rumor, but at least it does indicate some interest in the title.

[DukeTogo84]

Just watched Knives of the Avenger directed by Mario Bavo. Holy crap did the picture quality on this one look good.

[DukeTogo84]

Twilight Time will be releasing Messaline on Blu-ray. Never seen this one, but certainly interested.

[Jobla]

I would place Kino's THE WONDERS OF ALADDIN (1961) into this category. Ditto THE GOLDEN ARROW (1962) from Warner Archives.

If you wish to include foreign Blu-ray releases as well, Germany has released:

ATLANTIS, THE LOST CONTINENT (1961)
THIEF OF BAGHDAD (1961)
ROMULUS UND REMUS (1961, aka DUEL OF THE TITANS)

Warner Archives will be releasing ATHENA (1954) later this year, which has Steve Reeves and Ed "Ursus" Fury in supporting roles and some peplum costumes for the sisters.

Germany is also reportedly releasing SODOM AND GOMORRAH (1962) later this year, but I haven't heard any recent updates.

Kino and Studio Canal have been hoping to release GOLIATH AND THE VAMPIRES (1961), but something has delayed this project for about two years.

[hammersmith]

For those with all region players there are German Blu-rays of Nefertiti Queen of the Nile, Sodom and Gomorrah, Thief of Bagdad (Steve Reeves version), Sword of the Conqueror, and Duel of the Titans. All have English language options and are excellent transfers. There is also a Spanish Blu-ray of Anthar the Invincible (under the title Soraya Queen of the Desert) which has an English subtitle option.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Are two Reeves Hercules movies tangled up in some sort of legal issues?

[Jobla]

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

Are two Reeves Hercules movies tangled up in some sort of legal issues?

Apparently so. VCI planned to release HERCULES, but at least two different entities have a claim to ownership. The rights probably reside in Europe.

[DukeTogo84]

Coming from Kino