Maciste

Frau Josephine is trying to escape from a band of conspirators through the streets of her town when finally she hides in a movie theatre, giving them the slip. The film exhibited in the movie theatre is "Cabiria" and when she sees Herr Maciste at his best, she decides to write a letter to him asking for help to save her and her mother from the wicked Duke Alexis, the man responsible for all their miseries.

As you can see during the early silent times, some silent characters were very popular with audiences who appreciated their forcefulness and their incredible adventures. "Maciste" was a strongman who appeared in the Italian landmark "Cabiria" (1914) directed by Herr Giovanni Pastrone. The muscleman inspired a whole series of sequels over a ten year period. In a sense, his adventures became something of a long running serial.

The character of "Maciste" was performed by Herr Bartolomeo Pagano, the silent screen's first strongman and he played the part in all the sequels. They were films full of adventures wherein the most complicated problem could be solved by Maciste's strength. The films had stereotyped characters and were simple stories in which good and evil were clearly outlined.

"Maciste" (1915) was directed by Herr Luigi Romano Borgnette und Herr Vincenzo Denziot. The two damsels in distress are menaced by the wicked and greedy villain and his band of conspirators but of course Maciste's muscles will save the day. The camera-work is hardly outstanding but effective enough for what it must accomplish.

It must be said that Herr Maciste's physique is great but his acting ability much less so but that's a trifle in a film like this. He uses his biceps, triceps and-once in awhile-his brain to cope with the many dangerous situations he encounters and that's all his fans expected. The film gave undemanding audiences what they wanted, a simple but classic story perfect for an Italian Sunday silent matinée.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must arm wrestle one of his Teutonic heiresses.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com

Clementina Gay, fleeing from the bad guys, ducks into a movie house showing CABIRIA. She decides that Bartolemeo Pagano, playing Maciste, is Maciste, and would not turn down a lady in distress. So she writes him a letter asking for help, sends it to the studio, and eventually he does.

The story is that her father died, her uncle took over everything, had her mother stuck in the madhouse and was keeping her prisoner. What movie strongman could resist a plot like that? Especially when it gives him chances to do things like carry tables with his teeth, rip the tops off desks, break through solid floors with his head, and occasionally wind up stripped to the waist like the Incredible Hulk.

It's not an especially serious movie, given the handling of such matters, but the film makers knew they had a nice commercial flick here, and included a few bondage scenes -- Miss Gay looks singularly unconcerned bound to a chair. The result is a fine little programmer, the first of many starring Pagano in the role

"Maciste" is the first out of a long running series of movies, that span over almost 15 years. It's 15 years exact once you also count in the 1914 Italian classic "Cabiria", which features the same character Maciste, played by the same 'actor's as well; Bartolomeo Pagano.

This is one of earliest movies to feature a classic hero. I certainly can't think of an earlier movie to feature one, actually. Maciste is big and strong and having many adventures.

And that's just basically exactly what this movie is all about; Maciste getting into a whole lot of situations which allows him to show of his strength. The movie often doesn't make sense but it's still really fun to watch. The movie can be real entertaining to watch, even by todays standards.

But it's not really a movie that always flows to well. Like I said, the story doesn't always make too much sense and some moments in the movie just seem pointless. It makes this movie feel quite long as well, even though in reality it's just over an hour short.

It's not a true impressive looking but it just seems that back in those days they did not care much about impressive, expensive looks, as long is the movie served its purpose to bring some good, cheap, simple, old fashioned entertainment to its viewers. And in that regard this movie does not disappoint. I'm not saying that the movie is bad looking though, especially considering that this is an 1915 movie but it's just not a movie that features any grand sets, impressive special made costumes or wonderful looking environments. The movie is just not all about any of that.

Far from the most impressive movie of its era but it was one I really had some fun with watching.

7/10

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