Another PEP film with a quasi-confusing title issue. The English title is WAR GODS OF BABYLON. The original Italian title is LE SETTE FOLGORI DI ASSUR, which translates into THE SEVEN THUNDERS OF ASSYRIA. I don't like it at all. The French title on the poster here simply translates into THUNDERS OVER BABYLON (or Thunders on Babylon or Wrath on Babylon or Lightning on Babylon). None of the titles, in English, Italian or French are satisfactory. WAR GODS OF BABYLON doesn't make much sense even though it's the best title of the bunch. If you know the film (**spoilers**) there's a storm/flash flood that destroys part of Babylon (effects by Antonio Margheriti) but Howard Duff takes matters into his own hands and burns down his palace in a mass act of suicide.
Very few people remember this fairly good, above-average film. The lack of a good title might explain it.
2 comments:
This is a good movie and the sets are very impressive. Great in the widescreen format and the ending is decent. The war gods were probably the 2 brothers. Jackie Lane & Jose Greci are very lovely with Jackie being the center of attention that both brothers love. This is one of my favorites.
I've always wondered how movie titles are decided upon in different countries. One factor might simply be the marketing impact of how the words sound in the particular language rather than being a literal translation of the original. Consider how hissingly awful 'The Seven Thunders of Assyria' sounds in english !
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