I am a big fan of this underrated movie. Although it is readily available on DVD and Blu-ray none of them are the longer cut that was once out on VHS. It never got a U.S. theatrical release despite much advance publicity. It was popular in England and was given the roadshow treatment there complete with a nice souvenir program. There is also a beautiful Brit LP of the terrific score by John Scott.
I like this movie too mainly because it used unused footage from 'Cleopatra' 1963 and costumes from the same movie as well as 'The Fall of the Roman Empire' 1964. There are also scenes from Ben-Hur in there too!
A few years ago I had the great pleasure of meeting Julian Glover who played Proculeius. He also stood in for Charlton Heston while the latter was directing his own scenes. He told me he became great friends with Heston and delivered a eulogy at his funeral.
Julian Glover was thrilled to see a souvenir brochure from the film which I showed him which featured a picture of him on a horse and he kindly autographed that and a painting I did of him in his movie role.
I have a set of lobby cards from this film as well as a large Italian poster with great artwork.
Heston wrote about this film extensively in his auto biography. It was only made a decade after the great epics but he had real problems getting any money to make it. Hence the reused costumes and footage.
I am a big fan of this underrated movie. Although it is readily available on DVD and Blu-ray none of them are the longer cut that was once out on VHS. It never got a U.S. theatrical release despite much advance publicity. It was popular in England and was given the roadshow treatment there complete with a nice souvenir program. There is also a beautiful Brit LP of the terrific score by John Scott.
ReplyDeleteGraham Sumner wrote.
ReplyDeleteI like this movie too mainly because it used unused footage from 'Cleopatra' 1963 and costumes from the same movie as well as 'The Fall of the Roman Empire' 1964. There are also scenes from Ben-Hur in there too!
A few years ago I had the great pleasure of meeting Julian Glover who played Proculeius. He also stood in for Charlton Heston while the latter was directing his own scenes. He told me he became great friends with Heston and delivered a eulogy at his funeral.
Julian Glover was thrilled to see a souvenir brochure from the film which I showed him which featured a picture of him on a horse and he kindly autographed that and a painting I did of him in his movie role.
I have a set of lobby cards from this film as well as a large Italian poster with great artwork.
Heston wrote about this film extensively in his auto biography. It was only made a decade after the great epics but he had real problems getting any money to make it. Hence the reused costumes and footage.
Graham, thanks for your info. Always fun to read.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I now have to find that VHS version...hmm...