STAR WARS, a PEPLUM in space

Photographic proof that STAR WARS was basically a PEPLUM set in a science-fiction/outer space setting. I saw STAR WARS before any Sword & Sandal films and as I was watching the 300 or so films one after the other I couldn't believe how much of the elements in the STAR WARS films were inspired or directly lifted from Italian Sword & Sandal films, which at the time and for the most part even today are still frowned upon. There are so many elements that I won't be mentioning all of them but here's a bunch just to give you an idea.

Opening credits that sets up the storyline

From VENGEANCE OF HERCULES

Desert locations, with bones of dead creatures

GOLIATH AND THE GIANTS

GOLIATH AND THE GIANTS

Wise Old Man

WAR GODS OF BABYLON

Evil Ruler on his throne

HEROD THE GREAT

Disposable soldiers of Evil Ruler

GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON

Resourceful little people always on the side of good

GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON

Donut-style hair fashion statement

THEODORA ~ SLAVE EMPRESS

Cheesecake (there's very little Beefcake in Star Wars films)

Publicity shot of Rhonda Fleming for SERPENT OF THE NILE

Torture. What's a PEPLUM film without a torture scene?

GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON

Sword fights, hence the term Sword & Sandal

FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Council chambers

HEROD THE GREAT

Crushing walls of death

MACISTE IN THE VALLEY OF THUNDERING ECHO

The annoying sidekick

GLADIATORS OF ROME