As you can see the Hero in the original version was Maciste, renamed Hercules for English markets since Maciste wasn't a marketable name.
Original Italian title. Translates as MACISTE AND THE QUEEN OF SAMAR
The English title. It puts the Moon men in the title, unlike any other titles out there.
The French title translates as MACISTE AGAINST THE ROCK MEN, not the MOON MEN.
Alan Steel in the classic PEPLUM movie.
My favorite peplum movie, because of the touch of science-fiction (and the classic spike trap). And Alan Steel looks like he's having fun, especially in that first fight scene. Aside from Steve Reeves, Steel is my favorite peplum star.
ReplyDeleteThe Italian title seems a little tame to me; it doesn't quite "sell" the story, at least to me. Although the English title probably overplays the involvement of the "moon men", who Hercules/Maciste doesn't confront until near the end of the movie. (No, I don't have an idea for a better title.)
Yes, the Italian title doesn't really suit the movie. Very generic. I like the movie as well. It has everything and I agree, after Steve Reeves, Alan is tops in the PEPLUM world.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a better title would be "Maciste Against the Queen of Samar" or "Maciste and the Holocaust" or "The Doom of Samar".
ReplyDelete