Hannibal (Victor Mature) saves Sylvia (Rita Gam) from stampeding elephants crashing into their tent in HANNIBAL (1959)
Both stars were veterans of the genre when they made this sorta sloppy but nonetheless entertaining PEPLUM film. According to IMDb, Rita is still alive today.
HANNIBAL is a good PEP which I always liked. I saw this on the big screen and I really enjoyed it. Couple of weeks ago I enjoyed watching CAPTAIN SINBAD & THE SLAVE together again as the Double Feature that was shown back in the 60's. The only thing missing was the 30 foot screen, but I enjoyed with some popcorn and a beer or two. Lots of fun.
I enjoyed the [subtitled] Italian version of HANNIBAL (ANNIBALE) a lot more than the [dubbed] American version. Even though the later one consists more action scenes (such as the battle elephants in action), these scenes are not well executed. I also disliked the violence in the American version, as it provided me with unpleasant viewing experience.
On the other hand, the Italian version is more gentle - and even poetic and touching, as it really focuses on the troubled relationship between Hannibal and the Roman woman (and the tragic fate of the girl).
Also, the picture quality of the released Italian version is excellent (much better than that of the the American film released on DVD in North America).
Yes, it is worthwhile to check the Italian version.
Once again, the Italian and the English language versions were filmed separately - hence practically every scene was filmed twice (save for a couple of common scenes, such as the Alps crossing, as well as some [battle/Alps crossing] scenes appear only in the [longer] American version).
So HANNIBAL is actually two - quite different - films (the Italian one, ANNIBALE, being the more rewarding one in every aspect - for me, at least).
HANNIBAL is a good PEP which I always liked. I saw this on the big screen and I really enjoyed it. Couple of weeks ago I enjoyed watching CAPTAIN SINBAD & THE SLAVE together again as the Double Feature that was shown back in the 60's. The only thing missing was the 30 foot screen, but I enjoyed with some popcorn and a beer or two. Lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteThat's an eclectic list of titles...I'm assuming THE SLAVE is the new widescreen version available from Warner?
ReplyDeleteAnd of course HANNIBAL is actually two films.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the [subtitled] Italian version of HANNIBAL (ANNIBALE) a lot more than the [dubbed] American version. Even though the later one consists more action scenes (such as the battle elephants in action), these scenes are not well executed. I also disliked the violence in the American version, as it provided me with unpleasant viewing experience.
On the other hand, the Italian version is more gentle - and even poetic and touching, as it really focuses on the troubled relationship between Hannibal and the Roman woman (and the tragic fate of the girl).
Also, the picture quality of the released Italian version is excellent (much better than that of the the American film released on DVD in North America).
I have to check out the Italian cut, for sure.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is worthwhile to check the Italian version.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, the Italian and the English language versions were filmed separately - hence practically every scene was filmed twice (save for a couple of common scenes, such as the Alps crossing, as well as some [battle/Alps crossing] scenes appear only in the [longer] American version).
So HANNIBAL is actually two - quite different - films (the Italian one, ANNIBALE, being the more rewarding one in every aspect - for me, at least).
Here is the Italian version (with English subtitles) on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMichn1c-WM
ReplyDelete