Babylonia

I first saw this movie when it was on TV in the "old days". It is still a fantastic adventure movie. Great story and excellent action filming. I now have 3 great color version that all have bits and pieces missing or misplaced. It is better than no copies at all. If you like great adventure and admire Gordon Scott, find a copy of this movie and have fun.

This typical peplum featuring Gordon Scott would like to be something more than what it actually is, since the star is not some muscle-bound historical figure (which he would often get to play) but rather the returning son of a deposed king; even so, an alternate title for this was THE BEAST OF BABYLON AGAINST THE SON OF HERCULES, adopted for commercial TV screenings! Still, before long, Scott is fighting off the villain's soldiers single-handedly, throwing the latter around as if they were puppets and flattening three of them at once with a log, and removing a series of prison shackles by a mere exertion of his muscles!

As usual, among the members of the rebellion against the tyrant in power (an appropriately sinister Piero Lulli, further distinguished by sporting an elaborate head-dress) is a girl whom the hero contrives to save against all odds and fall for, ensuring that when he eventually gains the throne for himself (since his father, thought a prisoner, is really dead) there will be a Queen ready to take her place by his side!; the villain, too, has a companion in evil i.e. genre fixture (and future circus owner!) Moira Orfei. By the way, the only credits to appear on the print I watched where those of the male lead and the film's very title!

Another case of where the dubbing destroys a decent little movie. The subtitled version I saw under the title of Hero of Babylon is much better than the Beast of Babylon with English dubbing. For what ever reason it plays less silly. The plot is the typical muscle bound hero fights and wins the freedom of an oppressed people but its done with just enough conviction of the leads that you do care what happens. The film is a really good action film for most of its run, falling into a bit of silliness as the tries to tie up all the plot threads.

The rightful heir (Nippur) to the throne of Babylon leads a slave revolt against an evil ruler.

In a brightly-coloured, reasonably well-concocted escapist fare, Gordon Scott takes on the Babylons in order to free the slaves thrown in the fire for sacrifice as well as seeking his father. He's excellent as always, exuding energy and the action scenes are exciting and well staged, and rather lifts this adventure. The stunts are impressive such as as the one Nipur's friend, Namar, is being chased by soldiers atop the roofs of the Babylonian city. With nowhere to go, Namar leaps from the top of one of the buildings down onto two of men waiting below. There's nothing to cushion him below.

The villainy is always good in these type of films - Moira Orfei sizzles as the evil and duplicitous Ura and the guy who plays Balthazar is a true nut job. The slave capturing scenes and throwing them in the fire can be grim.

In THE BEAST OF BABYLON AGAINST THE SON OF HERCULES, the eeevil, Babylonian King Balthazar (Piero Lulli) has decided that he's not oppressing his people quite harshly enough. He soon remedies this..

Enter Nippur (Gordon Scott), who quickly finds opportunity to crush the king's troops with a handy log, while rescuing a slave girl in the process. Not-so surprisingly, our humongous hero is on a collision course with Balthazar.

Infiltrating Babylon, Nippur buddies up with the king, while wearing a fashionable shower curtain, throw rug, and table cloth ensemble. Don't worry, he soon gets to throw Balthazar's men around like sword-wielding coconuts!

QUESTIONS: #1- Can Nippurcules deliver the slaves, and allow the true heir to take the throne? #2- How does Balthazar stand up while wearing that space station-sized crown on his noggin? #3- What exactly is the meaning of the interpretive dance during the human sacrifice? #4- When Hernippules gets wounded, how will he save everyone?

This all leads to the gigantic battle-filled finale, featuring Hippurnules in the showdown of showdowns!

One of the best in the so-called "Sons Of Hercules" series. Just try getting the theme song out of your head!

Invite the friends! Mix the drinks! Get comfortable! Prepare to roar!...