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Friday, August 30, 2024

SAMSON AND THE 7 MIRACLES OF THE WORLD / MACISTE ALLA CORTE DEL GRAN KHAN (1961)

Double-dipping on sets, props & extras leftover from low-budget Italian epic MARCO POLO/’62, this typical ‘Peplum’ (i.e. Sword-and-Sandal actioner) ought to be a step or two up from similar HERCULES or SAMSON films of the period.  (In Italy, the hero always called MACISTE.)  Alas, it’s one of the weaker entries.  (Note that whereas MARCO paid for TechniColor & CinemaScope, SAMSON gets by on EastmanColor & SupercineScope.)  Beefy Gordon Scott, after six Tarzan films, is a new Samson, fighting alongside a Chinese Prince & Princess against Mongol usurpers and their warrior hordes.  (And the titular 7 Miracles?  Do they even show up?)  Mostly we get fleshly Mr. Scott (a surprisingly placid presence), forgoing Asian attire for his simple red loincloth.  Guess he travels light.  Like the biblical Samson, which has nothing to do with Maciste, the big guy makes his mark pushing on columns to crashing effect, even giving rise to an earthquake.  (An amusing special effect,)  The American cut lopped off a couple of reels to keep the Kiddie Matinee crowd from tossing JuJuBees at the screen during court entertainments, and the KINO DVD gives us both versions.  Much better image on the Euro-cut, but the bad dubbing is equally poor in both.  If only they dubbed in different actors and a decent plot.

ATTENTION MUST BE PAID:  *Made so quickly, SAMSON beat MARCO POLO to theaters.

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