1950s-1960s: Peplum Craze.
by gig-panas | created - 13 May 2016 | updated - 27 Jan 2022 | PublicThe peplum film (pepla plural), also known as sword-and-sandal, is a genre of largely Italian-made historical or Biblical epics (costume dramas) that dominated the Italian film industry from 1958 to 1965, eventually being replaced in 1965 by the Spaghetti Western.
The pepla attempted to emulate the big-budget Hollywood historical epics of the time, such as Spartacus, Samson and Delilah and The Ten Commandments.
The terms "peplum" (referring to the tunic-style Greek and Roman garment often worn by characters in the films) and "sword-and-sandal" were used in a condescending way by film critics. Italian director Vittorio Cottafavi called the genre "Neo-Mythology".
Italian epic films set in antiquity that were produced before the 1958 peplum wave proper, such as Fabiola (1949) and Ulysses (1954), have been called proto-peplum and recent films set in such Greco-Roman times (made after the peplum wave ended in 1965) have been called neo-peplum.
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1. Caesar and Cleopatra (1945)
Approved | 123 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
At the height of the Roman Civil War, a young Cleopatra (Vivien Leigh) meets a middle-aged Julius Caesar (Claude Rains), who teaches her how to rule Egypt.
Director: Gabriel Pascal | Stars: Claude Rains, Vivien Leigh, Stewart Granger, Flora Robson
Votes: 3,141
2. Samson and Delilah (1949)
Approved | 134 min | Drama, Family, History
When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Hedy Lamarr, Victor Mature, George Sanders, Angela Lansbury
Votes: 8,982 | Gross: $28.80M
© Paramount Pictures
3. Fabiola (1949)
96 min | Drama, History
In ancient Rome a love story blossoms between Fabiola, daughter of a senator, and Rhual, a Gallic gladiator. After Fabiola's father is killed, the Romans blame the Christians and the ... See full summary »
Director: Alessandro Blasetti | Stars: Michèle Morgan, Henri Vidal, Michel Simon, Louis Salou
Votes: 253
4. Julius Caesar (1950)
Not Rated | 106 min | Drama, History
The growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.
Director: David Bradley | Stars: Charlton Heston, Grosvenor Glenn, Harold Tasker, David Bradley
Votes: 473
5. Sins of Pompeii (1950)
Not Rated | 110 min | Drama, History
In the town of Pompeii, 79 A.D., a few weeks before the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius, a Roman lady Hélène meets and falls in love with a young Greek man Lysias. He is betrothed to another ... See full summary »
Directors: Marcel L'Herbier, Paolo Moffa | Stars: Micheline Presle, Georges Marchal, Marcel Herrand, Jaque Catelain
Votes: 133
a.k.a. Sins of Pompeii a.k.a. The Last Days of Pompeii
6. The Affairs of Messalina (1951)
Not Rated | 116 min | Action, Drama, History
A story, set in Rome of 44 A.D., concerning the amorous and political intrigues of the evil Empress Messalina, the wife of the Roman Emperor Claudius, and her eventual hounding to death.
Director: Carmine Gallone | Stars: María Félix, Georges Marchal, Memo Benassi, Delia Scala
Votes: 133
7. Quo Vadis (1951)
Not Rated | 171 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
After fierce Roman commander Marcus Vinicius becomes infatuated with beautiful Christian hostage Lygia, he begins to question the tyrannical leadership of the despotic emperor Nero.
Directors: Mervyn LeRoy, Anthony Mann | Stars: Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Leo Genn, Peter Ustinov
Votes: 16,742 | Gross: $24.29M
© Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
8. David and Bathsheba (1951)
Approved | 116 min | Drama, Family, History
After King David sees the beautiful Bathsheba bathing from the palace roof, he enters into an adulterous affair which has tragic consequences for his family and Israel.
Director: Henry King | Stars: Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, Raymond Massey, Kieron Moore
Votes: 2,649
9. The Queen of Sheba (1952)
Not Rated | 99 min | Drama
The Queen of Sheba falls in love with the King of Israel. The King of Israel, however, is in love with someone else.
Director: Pietro Francisci | Stars: Leonora Ruffo, Gino Cervi, Gino Leurini, Marina Berti
Votes: 132
10. Androcles and the Lion (1952)
Approved | 98 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
Story of a Christian in ancient Rome who befriends a lion.
Directors: Chester Erskine, Nicholas Ray | Stars: Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Alan Young, Robert Newton
Votes: 1,066
11. Spartaco (1953)
Approved | 75 min | Adventure, History
74 B.C. Somewhere in the Roman Empire, Spartacus, a young officer, is condemned to be a slave because he hit a superior. Brought back to Roma in a gladiators' school, he escapes and stirs ... See full summary »
Director: Riccardo Freda | Stars: Massimo Girotti, Ludmilla Tchérina, Yves Vincent, Gianna Maria Canale
Votes: 165
a.k.a. Spartacus
a.k.a. Sins of Rome
© Associati Produttori Indipendenti Film (API)
Italy, France
12. The Robe (1953)
Approved | 135 min | Drama, History, Romance
In the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.
Director: Henry Koster | Stars: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie
Votes: 11,743 | Gross: $36.00M
13. Salome (1953)
Approved | 103 min | Drama, History
After her banishment from Rome, Jewish Princess Salome returns to her Roman-ruled native land of Galilee, where prophet John the Baptist preaches against Salome's parents, King Herod and Queen Herodias.
Director: William Dieterle | Stars: Rita Hayworth, Stewart Granger, Charles Laughton, Judith Anderson
Votes: 2,202
14. Serpent of the Nile (1953)
Approved | 81 min | Adventure, Biography, History
In 44 BC, after the assassination of the leader of Rome Julius Caesar, Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and one of the highest ranking Roman generals and Caesar's possible successor Mark Anthony begin a tragic love affair.
Director: William Castle | Stars: Rhonda Fleming, William Lundigan, Raymond Burr, Jean Byron
Votes: 343
15. Barabbas (1953)
123 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story about the thief who didn't get crucified because Jesus was chosen to take his place.
Director: Alf Sjöberg | Stars: Ulf Palme, Inge Wærn, Olof Widgren, Erik Strandmark
Votes: 130
16. Julius Caesar (1953)
Not Rated | 120 min | Drama, History
The growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz | Stars: Louis Calhern, Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud
Votes: 12,880
© Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
17. Ulysses (1954)
Not Rated | 94 min | Adventure, Fantasy
A movie adaptation of Homer's second epic, that depicts Ulysses' efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.
Director: Mario Camerini | Stars: Silvana Mangano, Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Rossana Podestà
Votes: 4,648
a.k.a. Ulysses
18. Theodora, Slave Empress (1954)
Approved | 88 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Teodora, a Roman courtesan and former slave girl, marries the Roman emperor Justinian and assumes the throne as Empress of Rome. But the divide between nobility and slave is too great. ... See full summary »
Director: Riccardo Freda | Stars: Georges Marchal, Gianna Maria Canale, Renato Baldini, Irene Papas
Votes: 287
19. The Egyptian (1954)
Approved | 139 min | Drama
In ancient Egypt, a poor orphan becomes a genial physician and is eventually appointed at the Pharaoh's court where he witnesses palace intrigues and learns dangerous royal secrets.
Director: Michael Curtiz | Stars: Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Gene Tierney, Michael Wilding
Votes: 4,459
20. Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)
Approved | 101 min | Action, Drama, History
In first-century Rome, Christian slave Demetrius is sent to fight in the gladiatorial arena and Emperor Caligula seeks Jesus' robe for its alleged magical powers.
Director: Delmer Daves | Stars: Victor Mature, Susan Hayward, Michael Rennie, Debra Paget
Votes: 4,263 | Gross: $26.00M
21. Princess of the Nile (1954)
Approved | 71 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
In 1249, an Egyptian princess allies herself with the son of the Caliph of Baghdad in order to rid Egypt of its Bedouin invaders.
Director: Harmon Jones | Stars: Debra Paget, Jeffrey Hunter, Michael Rennie, Dona Drake
Votes: 432
22. The Silver Chalice (1954)
Approved | 142 min | Drama, Romance
A Greek artisan is commissioned to cast the cup of Christ in silver, and sculpt around its rim, the faces of the disciples and Jesus. He travels to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome to ... See full summary »
Director: Victor Saville | Stars: Virginia Mayo, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance, Paul Newman
Votes: 1,788
23. Two Nights with Cleopatra (1954)
Not Rated | 78 min | Comedy
Sophia Loren plays a dual role, as both the sultry Queen of the Nile with a "man-a-night" appetite and a beautiful slave girl who takes her place and is wooed by a bodyguard who thinks she's the real monarch.
Director: Mario Mattoli | Stars: Sophia Loren, Alberto Sordi, Paul Muller, Nando Bruno
Votes: 357
a.k.a. Two Nights with Cleopatra
24. Attila (1954)
TV-14 | 80 min | Biography, Drama, History
Attila, the leader of the barbarian Huns and called by the Romans "The Scourge of God", sweeps onto the Italian peninsula, defeating all of the armies of Rome, until he and his men reach the gates of the city itself.
Director: Pietro Francisci | Stars: Anthony Quinn, Sophia Loren, Henri Vidal, Claude Laydu
Votes: 790
25. Sign of the Pagan (1954)
Approved | 92 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
With the Roman Empire divided, Attila the Hun hopes to conquer. In his way are a brave centurion, a beautiful princess...and Christianity.
Director: Douglas Sirk | Stars: Jeff Chandler, Jack Palance, Ludmilla Tchérina, Rita Gam
Votes: 766
26. Land of the Pharaohs (1955)
Approved | 106 min | Adventure, Drama, History
A captured architect designs an ingenious plan to ensure the impregnability of the tomb of a self-absorbed Pharaoh, obsessed with the security of his next life.
Director: Howard Hawks | Stars: Jack Hawkins, Joan Collins, Dewey Martin, Alexis Minotis
Votes: 4,768 | Gross: $1.50M
27. Helen of Troy (1956)
Approved | 118 min | Drama, History, Romance
The Iliad's story of the Trojan war, told from the Trojan viewpoint.
Directors: Robert Wise, Raoul Walsh | Stars: Stanley Baker, Rossana Podestà, Brigitte Bardot, Jacques Sernas
Votes: 2,507 | Gross: $6.98M
28. The King and I (1956)
G | 133 min | Biography, Drama, Musical
A widow accepts a job as a live-in governess to the King of Siam's children.
Director: Walter Lang | Stars: Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr, Rita Moreno, Martin Benson
Votes: 27,918 | Gross: $21.30M
29. Alexander the Great (1956)
Not Rated | 141 min | Biography, Drama, History
The life and military conquests of Alexander III of Macedon (July 20/21, 356 - June 10/11, 323 B.C.), commonly known as Alexander the Great.
Director: Robert Rossen | Stars: Richard Burton, Fredric March, Claire Bloom, Barry Jones
Votes: 4,119
30. Nero's Mistress (1956)
104 min | Comedy, History
Nero is on holiday at the seaside. Poppea, Seneca and many other guests are with him. Nero is preparing a great show where he will be the star. When Agrippina, his mother, arrives with her ... See full summary »
Director: Steno | Stars: Alberto Sordi, Vittorio De Sica, Gloria Swanson, Brigitte Bardot
Votes: 562
a.k.a. Nero's Weekend a.k.a. Nero's Mistress
31. The Sword and the Cross (1956)
87 min | Drama
Tarsus, in the Roman province of Cilicia, AD 120. Two Carthaginian sisters, Lea and Esther, are bought as slave girls by Roman tribune Marcus Valerius, who gives them as a present to proud ... See full summary »
Director: Guido Brignone | Stars: Gianna Maria Canale, Jorge Mistral, Marisa Allasio, Ana Luisa Peluffo
Votes: 87
a.k.a. The Sword and the Cross a.k.a. Slave of Carthage
32. The Ten Commandments (1956)
G | 220 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson
Votes: 77,878 | Gross: $93.74M
33. Goddess of Love (1957)
Unrated | 68 min | Drama
The god Zeus sends Venus, the goddess of love, to Earth to find her own true love.
Directors: Fernando Cerchio, Viktor Tourjansky | Stars: Belinda Lee, Jacques Sernas, Massimo Girotti, Maria Frau
Votes: 52
34. The Vikings (1958)
Not Rated | 116 min | Action, Adventure, History
A slave and a Viking prince fight for the love of a captive princess.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Janet Leigh
Votes: 15,692 | Gross: $7.00M
35. Hercules (1958)
G | 107 min | Adventure, Fantasy, History
The muscular Hercules performs his Labors, sails with the Argonauts, and romances the fair Iole.
Director: Pietro Francisci | Stars: Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Fabrizio Mioni, Ivo Garrani
Votes: 2,335 | Gross: $10.90M
36. The Warrior and the Slave Girl (1958)
88 min | Adventure
Marcus Numidius (Ettore Manni), a Roman tribune sent to Armenia to put down a gladiators' revolt, captures the rebels' popular leader, Aselepius (Georges Marchal). Princess Amira (Gianna ... See full summary »
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi | Stars: Gianna Maria Canale, Ettore Manni, Mara Cruz, Lina Rosales
Votes: 199
37. Aphrodite, Goddess of Love (1958)
91 min | Drama, History
The construction of great temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, followed by new and high taxes and the arrival of a plague, create discontent in the population, and threatens the love between a sculptor and a slave.
Director: Mario Bonnard | Stars: Isabelle Corey, Anthony Steffen, Irène Tunc, Ivo Garrani
Votes: 129
38. La spada e la croce (1958)
105 min | Drama
Set against the magnificent backdrop of classic Rome, "The Sword and the Cross" is the story of a notorious harlot who must choose between her lascivious lifestyle and the love and affection of her decent-minded brother.
Director: Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia | Stars: Yvonne De Carlo, Jorge Mistral, Rossana Podestà, Massimo Serato
Votes: 161
39. The Big Fisherman (1959)
Approved | 180 min | Drama, History
Exploring the life of Peter, from being a successful fisherman to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ and being dependent on Jesus Christ.
Director: Frank Borzage | Stars: Howard Keel, John Saxon, Susan Kohner, Martha Hyer
Votes: 455
40. The Last Days of Pompeii (1959)
Approved | 103 min | Action, Adventure, History
A demobilized centurion returns home to Pompeii to find his father murdered by a gang of black-hooded Christian robbers that terrorizes the city and he decides to investigate the matter while the nearby volcano threatens to erupt.
Director: Mario Bonnard | Stars: Steve Reeves, Christine Kaufmann, Fernando Rey, Barbara Carroll
Votes: 1,302
41. Legions of the Nile (1959)
Approved | 91 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Roman Emperor Octavian rules the empire from Rome, and his rival Marc Antony has taken Egyptian queen Cleopatra as his lover and seized the eastern empire, ruling it from Alexandria. ... See full summary »
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi | Stars: Linda Cristal, Ettore Manni, Georges Marchal, Conrado San Martín
Votes: 275
42. Hannibal (1959)
Approved | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
During the Second Punic War in 218 BC, Carthaginian general Hannibal attacks the Roman Republic by crossing the Pyrenees and the Alps with his vast army.
Directors: Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia, Edgar G. Ulmer | Stars: Victor Mature, Gabriele Ferzetti, Rita Gam, Milly Vitale
Votes: 1,123
43. The Giant of Marathon (1959)
90 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A Greek soldier leads the fight against an invading Persian army.
Directors: Jacques Tourneur, Bruno Vailati, Mario Bava | Stars: Steve Reeves, Mylène Demongeot, Sergio Fantoni, Alberto Lupo
Votes: 1,076
44. Goliath and the Barbarians (1959)
86 min | Adventure
When barbarians invade his village and kill his father, a local man wages a one-man war against them.
Director: Carlo Campogalliani | Stars: Steve Reeves, Chelo Alonso, Bruce Cabot, Giulia Rubini
Votes: 349
45. Sign of the Gladiator (1959)
98 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, revolts against Rome and defeats the Roman troops - but she makes a big mistake when she falls in love with enemy officer Marco Valerio.
Directors: Guido Brignone, Michelangelo Antonioni, Riccardo Freda | Stars: Anita Ekberg, Georges Marchal, Folco Lulli, Chelo Alonso
Votes: 349
46. Herod the Great (1959)
93 min | Biography, Drama, History
Herod, King of Judea, is made a prisoner by the Romans. Convinced the King is dead, his faithful lieutenant, Aaron, is nevertheless unable to keep his promise to kill the Queen if something untoward happened to the King. He leads the young woman out into the desert. Herod's pleas to Augustus are successful and he returns to his palace. His son, Antipater, informs Herod that Aaron has betrayed him.
Director: Viktor Tourjansky | Stars: Edmund Purdom, Sylvia Lopez, Massimo Girotti, Sandra Milo
Votes: 246
47. Hercules Unchained (1959)
G | 105 min | Adventure, Fantasy
While negotiating peace between two brothers contesting the throne of Thebes, an amnesiac Hercules is seduced by the evil Queen Omphale.
Directors: Pietro Francisci, Mario Bava | Stars: Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Gabriele Antonini, Patrizia Della Rovere
Votes: 2,323 | Gross: $5.45M
48. Ben-Hur (1959)
G | 212 min | Adventure, Drama
After a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
Director: William Wyler | Stars: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Votes: 253,679 | Gross: $74.70M
49. Solomon and Sheba (1959)
Not Rated | 141 min | Drama, History, Romance
After becoming king of ancient Israel, Solomon faces threats coming from his jealous dispossessed brother Adonijah, the Egyptian Pharaoh and the scheming Queen of Sheba.
Director: King Vidor | Stars: Yul Brynner, Gina Lollobrigida, George Sanders, Marisa Pavan
Votes: 3,794 | Gross: $12.20M
50. Spartacus (1960)
PG-13 | 197 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The slave Spartacus survives brutal training as a gladiator and leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic, as the ambitious Crassus seeks to gain power by crushing the uprising.
Directors: Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Mann | Stars: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton
Votes: 143,218 | Gross: $30.00M
51. Esther and the King (1960)
Approved | 109 min | Biography, Drama, History
Two decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting... See full summary »
Directors: Raoul Walsh, Mario Bava | Stars: Joan Collins, Richard Egan, Denis O'Dea, Sergio Fantoni
Votes: 913
52. The Pharaohs' Woman (1960)
106 min | Adventure, History, Romance
A beautiful girl and a young physician fall in love in the midst of a family, and power struggle between rival princes of Upper and Lower Egypt. When all seems to turn to the better, a ... See full summary »
Director: Viktor Tourjansky | Stars: Linda Cristal, Pierre Brice, Armando Francioli, John Drew Barrymore
Votes: 64
53. Goliath and the Dragon (1960)
Approved | 87 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A warrior returning home to his country must battle giant bats, three-headed dogs and a vicious dragon to save his wife, and his people, from the machinations of an evil ruler.
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi | Stars: Mark Forest, Broderick Crawford, Gaby André, Renato Terra
Votes: 615
54. The Barbarians (1960)
90 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Revak is an Iberian prince from Penda, a small island where the Carthagian fleet ransacked and enslaved the surviving native men, including him. After an eventful passage aboard a galley, ... See full summary »
Director: Rudolph Maté | Stars: Jack Palance, Milly Vitale, Guy Rolfe, Austin Willis
Votes: 250
55. Messalina (1960)
84 min | Drama
Scheming Messalina marries Roman Emperor Claudius but goes too far with a gladiator.
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi | Stars: Belinda Lee, Spyros Fokas, Carlo Giustini, Giancarlo Sbragia
Votes: 264
56. Son of Samson (1960)
Unrated | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Maciste travels to Egypt, where he leads a revolt against an evil queen.
Director: Carlo Campogalliani | Stars: Mark Forest, Chelo Alonso, Vira Silenti, Angelo Zanolli
Votes: 298
57. Carthage in Flames (1960)
93 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Historical drama depicting the last of the Punic Wars between the Roman Republic and Carthage.
Director: Carmine Gallone | Stars: Pierre Brasseur, Daniel Gélin, Anne Heywood, Aldo Silvani
Votes: 308
58. L'assedio di Siracusa (1960)
97 min | Drama, History, Romance
During the Second Punic War between 214 and 212 B.C. occurred this history of the Roman siege in Greek city of Syracuse. The Romans were preparing for their invasion while Archimedes ... See full summary »
Director: Pietro Francisci | Stars: Rossano Brazzi, Tina Louise, Sylva Koscina, Enrico Maria Salerno
Votes: 162
59. Revenge of the Barbarians (1960)
104 min | Action, Drama, History
408 AD. The Visigoths led by Alaric invade northern Italy. At Ravenna, they have to battle, and they are stopped by the power of the Roman legions and the cunning of the emperor's sister, ... See full summary »
Director: Giuseppe Vari | Stars: Daniela Rocca, Anthony Steel, Robert Alda, José Greci
Votes: 67
60. I baccanali di Tiberio (1960)
93 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Cassio, a tourist guide, and Primo, his bus driver, are taking a bus load of tourists to visit villa Jovis, at Capri island. Close to the Salto di Tiberio (Tiberius Fall...) they have an ... See full summary »
Director: Giorgio Simonelli | Stars: Walter Chiari, Ugo Tognazzi, Abbe Lane, Tino Buazzelli
Votes: 37
61. The Loves of Hercules (1960)
Not Rated | 98 min | Fantasy, Adventure
Hercules decides to avenge the death of his wife, murdered at the hands of Éurito, king of Ecalia, but everything is a plot of an ambitious courtier. Hercules ends up falling in love with Deyanira, who is now a good queen.
Director: Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia | Stars: Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Massimo Serato, Tina Gloriani
Votes: 1,285
62. Colossus and the Amazon Queen (1960)
Unrated | 84 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Two musclemen come up against a tribe of Amazon women.
Director: Vittorio Sala | Stars: Dorian Gray, Rod Taylor, Gianna Maria Canale, Ed Fury
Votes: 514
63. The Revolt of the Slaves (1960)
TV-PG | 102 min | Adventure
During the later years of the Roman Empire, the daughter of a wealthy patrician falls in love with a Christian slave.
Director: Nunzio Malasomma | Stars: Rhonda Fleming, Lang Jeffries, Darío Moreno, Ettore Manni
Votes: 310
64. The Giants of Thessaly (1960)
86 min | Adventure, Fantasy
In order to placate the angry gods, who have allowed Thessaly to be overrun with barbarian invaders and beset with natural disasters, King Jason takes his Argonauts on a search for the ... See full summary »
Director: Riccardo Freda | Stars: Roland Carey, Ziva Rodann, Alberto Farnese, Nadia Sanders
Votes: 381
65. The Huns (1960)
102 min | Action, Adventure
An orphan (Chelo Alonso), raised by a foreign tribe, becomes a warrior queen and falls in love with the leader of her enemies.
Director: Sergio Grieco | Stars: Chelo Alonso, Jacques Sernas, Mario Petri, Folco Lulli
Votes: 69
66. The Cossacks (1960)
114 min | Action, War, Adventure
Directors: Viktor Tourjansky, Giorgio Venturini | Stars: Edmund Purdom, John Drew Barrymore, Giorgia Moll, Elena Zareschi
Votes: 68
67. The Loves of Salammbo (1960)
72 min | Action, Drama
During the 3rd century B.C. a horde of barbarians are hired by the Phoenian city of Carthage to fight against the Roman empire, but when the city's ruler is unable to fulfill the promised ... See full summary »
Director: Sergio Grieco | Stars: Jeanne Valérie, Jacques Sernas, Edmund Purdom, Arnoldo Foà
Votes: 104
68. A Story of David: The Hunted (1960)
Not Rated | 99 min | Drama
King Saul of Israel is jealous of the fame and adoration of David, who long ago slew Goliath and brought victory to Saul's armies. Now Saul, egged on by his Edomite counselor Doeg, attempts... See full summary »
Director: Bob McNaught | Stars: Jeff Chandler, Basil Sydney, Peter Arne, David Knight
Votes: 166
69. Daughter of Cleopatra (1960)
109 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Cleopatra, after the civil war that followed the assassination of Caesar, met with Marc Antony in Assyria where they planned the defense of Egypt against the Romans. Before leaving, ... See full summary »
Director: Fernando Cerchio | Stars: Debra Paget, Ettore Manni, Erno Crisa, Corrado Pani
Votes: 227
70. Fury of the Barbarians (1960)
86 min | Adventure
At the end of the sixth century, a band of pagan savages attacks a peaceful northern province of Italy.
Director: Guido Malatesta | Stars: Edmund Purdom, Rossana Podestà, Livio Lorenzon, Carla Calò
Votes: 51
71. The Tartars (1961)
Not Rated | 83 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Tartan and Viking forces clash in what is modern-day Russia.
Directors: Richard Thorpe, Ferdinando Baldi | Stars: Victor Mature, Orson Welles, Liana Orfei, Arnoldo Foà
Votes: 511
72. The Mongols (1961)
105 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During the Mongol invasion of Poland, a conflict between Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan and his oldest son Ogotai ensues when the former aims for peace and the latter itches for war and conquest.
Directors: André De Toth, Leopoldo Savona, Riccardo Freda | Stars: Jack Palance, Anita Ekberg, Antonella Lualdi, Franco Silva
Votes: 363
73. King of Kings (1961)
PG-13 | 168 min | Biography, Drama
The temporary physical life of the Biblical Savior, Jesus Christ.
Director: Nicholas Ray | Stars: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Hurd Hatfield, Ron Randell
Votes: 9,027 | Gross: $14.48M
74. Barabbas (1961)
Approved | 137 min | Biography, Drama, History
Governor Pontius Pilate gave the populace a choice to spare either Barabbas, a criminal, or Jesus, condemned as a heretic, from crucifixion. The masses chose Barrabas, and he is haunted by the image of Jesus for the rest of his life.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Arthur Kennedy, Katy Jurado
Votes: 7,028 | Gross: $6.32M
75. The Trojan Horse (1961)
Not Rated | 105 min | Adventure, Drama, History
A retelling of the events leading to the use of the Trojan Horse, to bring down the great city of Troy.
Director: Giorgio Ferroni | Stars: Steve Reeves, Juliette Mayniel, John Drew Barrymore, Edy Vessel
Votes: 641
76. Hercules in the Haunted World (1961)
G | 84 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
Hercules must journey into Hades itself to retrieve the magic stone that will free his love from the powers of darkness.
Director: Mario Bava | Stars: Reg Park, Christopher Lee, Leonora Ruffo, George Ardisson
Votes: 2,349
77. Queen of the Nile (1961)
97 min | Drama, History
Chronicles the rise and fall of the woman who eventually became known as Queen Nefertiti.
Director: Fernando Cerchio | Stars: Jeanne Crain, Vincent Price, Edmund Purdom, Amedeo Nazzari
Votes: 538
78. Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules (1961)
Not Rated | 95 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Maciste arranges for himself and his new friend Bangor to be captured by a mysterious band of white-clad marauders and taken to an underground city. There the two are forced to turn an ... See full summary »
Director: Antonio Leonviola | Stars: Mark Forest, Moira Orfei, Paul Wynter, Gianni Garko
Votes: 377
79. Sansone (1961)
99 min | Fantasy, Adventure
While traveling through the kingdom of Sulom, Samson is arrested and finds that the queen no longer reigns and that a power-mad warlord and his army of mercenaries now controls the kingdom.... See full summary »
Director: Gianfranco Parolini | Stars: Brad Harris, Sergio Ciani, Mara Berni, Serge Gainsbourg
Votes: 194
80. Il trionfo di Maciste (1961)
87 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The evil Queen Tenefi, who's usurped the throne of Memphis, demands that a steady supply of young women be sacrificed to the God of Fire inside the Mountain of Thunder. Maciste intervenes ... See full summary »
Director: Tanio Boccia | Stars: Kirk Morris, Cathia Caro, Ljubica Otasevic, Cesare Fantoni
Votes: 146
81. Sword of the Conqueror (1961)
Not Rated | 96 min | Adventure, History, War
A cruel Lombard ruler marries the daughter of another king, kills her father, beats her lover but he ultimately faces a major popular revolt against him.
Director: Carlo Campogalliani | Stars: Jack Palance, Eleonora Rossi Drago, Guy Madison, Carlo D'Angelo
Votes: 260
82. Ursus (1961)
90 min | Action, Fantasy, Adventure
Ursus returns from war to find his fiancée, Attea, has been kidnapped by a mysterious sect which sacrifices virgins to its patron goddess. Ursus faces much treachery and is forced to ... See full summary »
Director: Carlo Campogalliani | Stars: Ed Fury, Cristina Gaioni, Moira Orfei, Mario Scaccia
Votes: 213
83. Duel of the Titans (1961)
Not Rated | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Twin brothers revolt against tyranny in pre-Roman Italy and then come to a parting of the ways as they lead their people toward the founding of a new city.
Director: Sergio Corbucci | Stars: Steve Reeves, Gordon Scott, Virna Lisi, Franco Volpi
Votes: 964
84. The Invincible Gladiator (1961)
Not Rated | 96 min | Action, Drama
A Roman warrior leads a revolt against an evil ruler.
Directors: Alberto De Martino, Antonio Momplet | Stars: Richard Harrison, Isabelle Corey, Livio Lorenzon, Leo Anchóriz
Votes: 116
85. Constantine and the Cross (1961)
Approved | 120 min | Adventure, Drama, History
Biopic of Constantine the Great, set between 293-312 AD, from his days as Tribune to his accession as Roman Emperor of Gaul under the tetrarchy system and ending with his battle against the usurper Roman Emperor Maxentius in Rome.
Directors: Lionello De Felice, Irving Rapper | Stars: Cornel Wilde, Belinda Lee, Massimo Serato, Christine Kaufmann
Votes: 567
86. Romulus and the Sabines (1961)
98 min | Adventure, Comedy, Romance
The classic story from the early days of Rome where there are no women. Romulus, the founder of Rome, finds women to be wives from Sabina where there are a lot of women. The Sabine men, of ... See full summary »
Director: Richard Pottier | Stars: Roger Moore, Mylène Demongeot, Giorgia Moll, Scilla Gabel
Votes: 357
87. Slave of Rome (1961)
85 min | Adventure, History, War
At the time of Caesar's conquest of Gaul, a Roman tribune falls in-love with the daughter of a Gallic chieftain during a dangerous mission.
Directors: Sergio Grieco, Francesco Prosperi | Stars: Rossana Podestà, Guy Madison, Mario Petri, Giacomo Rossi Stuart
Votes: 132
88. The Centurion (1961)
77 min | Drama
Protests break out in Corinth against Roman domination, injuring Caius Vinicius, a Roman centurion. He's rescued by Hebe -- daughter of the anti-Roman governor, Critolaus -- who's being ... See full summary »
Director: Mario Costa | Stars: Jacques Sernas, John Drew Barrymore, Geneviève Grad, Gianna Maria Canale
Votes: 155
89. Goliath and the Vampires (1961)
Approved | 91 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
Goliath must save the kidnapped women of his village from an evil zombie leader who needs their blood to feed his soldiers.
Directors: Sergio Corbucci, Giacomo Gentilomo | Stars: Gordon Scott, Leonora Ruffo, Jacques Sernas, Gianna Maria Canale
Votes: 423
90. Erik the Conqueror (1961)
Not Rated | 81 min | Action, Adventure, Romance
Two estranged brothers confront each other as rivals when war breaks out between Britain and the Vikings for control of England.
Director: Mario Bava | Stars: Cameron Mitchell, Alice Kessler, Ellen Kessler, George Ardisson
Votes: 960
91. The Giant of Metropolis (1961)
Unrated | 98 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Muscleman Ohro travels to the sinful capital of Atlantis to rebuke its godlessness and hubris and becomes involved in the battle against its evil lord Yoh-tar and his hideous super-science schemes.
Director: Umberto Scarpelli | Stars: Gordon Mitchell, Bella Cortez, Roldano Lupi, Marietto
Votes: 453
92. Atlas Against the Cyclops (1961)
Not Rated | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Strongman Maciste must battle the one-eyed Cyclops monster that is ravaging the land of Sadok, while at the same time fending off the advances of the evil Queen Capys, who wants to do a little ravaging of her own.
Director: Antonio Leonviola | Stars: Gordon Mitchell, Chelo Alonso, Vira Silenti, Dante DiPaolo
Votes: 370
93. Samson and the 7 Miracles of the World (1961)
80 min | Adventure, Drama
Sam must rescue a beautiful Chinese princess from a marauding horde of warriors.
Director: Riccardo Freda | Stars: Gordon Scott, Yôko Tani, Dante DiPaolo, Gabriele Antonini
Votes: 314
94. The Bacchantes (1961)
102 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
The god Dionysus decides to pay a visit to the city of Thebes.
Director: Giorgio Ferroni | Stars: Taina Elg, Pierre Brice, Alberto Lupo, Alessandra Panaro
Votes: 146
95. Atlas (1961)
Not Rated | 79 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Evil king Praximedes convinces superhero Atlas to fight for him, but Atlas eventually sees the king's true nature and turns against him.
Director: Roger Corman | Stars: Michael Forest, Frank Wolff, Barboura Morris, Walter Maslow
Votes: 310
96. Valley of the Lions (1961)
94 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The evil dictator Ajak sends his armies to attack a neighboring kingdom, and during the battle, the besieged King Annurius orders one of his subjects to take his son Ursus to a place of ... See full summary »
Director: Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia | Stars: Ed Fury, Moira Orfei, Alberto Lupo, Giacomo Furia
Votes: 216
97. Amazons of Rome (1961)
Not Rated | 93 min | Adventure, Drama
A warrior chieftain dashes between his barbaric allies and a beleaguered city that's being defended by embattled women warriors.
Directors: Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia, Vittorio Cottafavi, Peter O'Cord | Stars: Louis Jourdan, Sylvia Syms, Jean Chevrier, Nicole Courcel
Votes: 226
98. The Vengeance of Ursus (1961)
85 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Sira shall marry Zagro, King of Licia, for political reasons.
Director: Luigi Capuano | Stars: Samson Burke, Wandisa Guida, Livio Lorenzon, Nadia Sanders
Votes: 143
99. Goliath Against the Giants (1961)
90 min | Adventure
Muscleman fights sea monsters, a horde of giants and a tribe of Amazonian warriors.
Director: Guido Malatesta | Stars: Brad Harris, Gloria Milland, Fernando Rey, Barbara Carroll
Votes: 147
100. The Last of the Vikings (1961)
Unrated | 103 min | Action, Adventure, War
Harald and his brother Guntar return to Norway to find their father murdered and his throne usurped. They try to take revenge on Sveno, but a traitor amongst them puts both brother's lives at risk.
Director: Giacomo Gentilomo | Stars: Cameron Mitchell, Edmund Purdom, Isabelle Corey, Hélène Rémy
Votes: 233
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